Program Description and Key Functions. The Network represents a statewide movement of local, state and national partners collectively working toward improving the health status of low-income Californians through increased fruit and vegetable consumption and daily physical activity. Multiple venues are used to facilitate behavior change in the homes, schools, worksites, and communities of low-income Californians to create environments that support fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity.
The Network works with Local Incentive Awardees (LIAs) that represent almost 100 local agencies in a variety of different community channels, including 37 low resource school districts, 26 local health departments, 10 county offices of education,
6 public colleges and universities, 4 Indian tribal organizations, 2 city governments, 2 First Five Commissions, 2 cooperative extension agencies, as well as sister programs within the California Department of Public Health, park and recreation departments, and non-profit organizations.
Local assistance projects are supported by a statewide infrastructure of eleven Regional Networks and targeted campaigns and programs to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity. These include the Be Active! Worksite Program, the Retail Program, Harvest of the Month, the Children's Power Play! Campaign, and interventions for special populations including Latinos and African Americans. In addition, the Network contracts with the California Association of Food Banks to conduct food stamp outreach through the California Food Stamp Program Access Improvement Plan.
The Mission of the Network for a Healthy California (Network) is to create innovative partnerships that empower low-income Californians to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity and food security with the goal of preventing obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases.
