Nutrition, Physical Activity, Tobacco Use (MeCDC)

These funds are a supplement to an existing cooperative agreement with US CDC.  CDC has asked that we address policy changes at the state level in three areas: improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and decreased tobacco use. The funds are a total for two years.  The following activities will be supported:

1. Physical activity: Daily structured physical activity in licensed childcare settings. Environmental support strategies include working with partners (state and local) to implement initiatives that support the policy change, such as expanding the work done with Healthy Maine Partnerships and Head Starts in conjunction with Maine Center for Public Health and the Starting Young Initiative.
2. Nutrition: Policy and Environmental Change Strategies will be implemented at the seven Maine public universities to provide signage for students and faculty to identify healthy vs. less healthy items in college dining services and retail outlets on campus.
3. Tobacco: Work with partners to make changes and allow licensed alcohol and drug counselors (in treatment and mental health treatment programs, social service and other health programs) to receive continuing education credits for tobacco training, as well as, allow them to treat tobacco dependence and tobacco use.