In 2006, Alegent Health asked its corporate leaders to provide community leadership in addressing childhood obesity in this community. To that end, Alegent staff joined with Our Healthy Community Partnership (OHCP) to coordinate a community based response to the childhood obesity epidemic. The two organizations co-sponsored a Decision Accelerator in December 2006. During two days over 75 community constituents participated in passionate dialogue and strategic planning focused on what our Metropolitan Omaha area should and could do to impact the growing epidemic of childhood obesity over the next decade. At the end of the two days, the participants' crafted this shared vision:
In 2011 Omaha is nationally recognized as a collaborative model achieving measurable improvement in fitness and nutrition of children.
Six areas of focus, or planks, were identified and specific strategies and implementation timelines were articulated. The following plank committees were formed to implement these plank goals:
- Evaluation
- Physical Environment
- Physical Activity
- Nutrition
- Funding and Resources
- Social Marketing.
A temporary leadership structure, known as the Executive Committee, has been formed consisting of subject matter experts to coordinate the work of these plank committees. To date, over 175 community volunteers have expressed interest in participating in the various plank activities. Monthly meetings of the Executive Committee and the plank committees have occurred since March 2007. Attendance has been strong, with interest, passion and opportunities for collaboration high. Each of the plank committees is currently working to identify its focus and priorities. During the next several months each committee will build upon the work of the Decision Accelerator to develop a strategic plan, with goals, action steps, timelines, measures of success and resource needs.
The initial activities of the coalition include:
- Recruiting members to the plank committees to assure diverse perspectives and expertise
- Naming the coalition "Activate Omaha Kids" to connect with the existing Activate Omaha social marketing campaign
- Designing a logo
- Launching a website-www.activateomahakids.org
- Identifying the geographic scope for purposes of data collection and evaluation to Douglas County
- Partnering with a Masters of Public Health student to inventory existing childhood obesity related activities or programs to identify community strengths and gaps in service.
