HSI Monthly Momentum - October 2024
The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative’s programs and events strive to create awareness and provide solutions to improve the physical, social and mental well-being of Iowans. Every month through Monthly Momentum, we’ll share what our team did through our four main programs Make It OK, Double Up Food Bucks, Produce Rx, and 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! the month prior to realize that mission! There are tons of ways to get involved whether your passion is mental, social, or physical health, so join us in ensuring every Iowan can live their healthiest life, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media so you never miss a thing!
Healthiest State 14th Annual Walk
On October 2nd, Iowans in all 99 counties got active for the Healthiest State Annual Walk by walking for 30 minutes to raise awareness of the importance of being physically active for our physical, social, and mental health. Schools, workplaces, communities, organizations, and individuals all participated from around the state. Thanks to community members like you, the support from each corner of the state was amazing. As part of this year’s walk:
Participants raised over $7,000 for HSI and our ongoing work throughout Iowa.
HSI held two challenges for schools and early care sites to get involved.
IKM-Manning won the School Mascot Challenge by beating 31 other schools in a bracket voting challenge. They received $1,000 for a healthy incentive project at their school.
Loving Hands Early Care and Education and Miss Lacy’s Preschool won the Active Early Care Challenge on social media. They each received $500 for a healthy incentive project for their program.
We assembled some of your pictures from the day in a photo album. Check it out if you haven’t yet!
2024 Healthiest State Annual Awards
All 9 of our 2024 Annual Award Winners have been announced!
These individuals and organizations were honored at the Workplace Wellbeing Conference in April and the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Summit in October for their hard work and dedication to improve Iowans' physical, social, and mental well-being. Check out the winners
Did you know only 5-2-1-0 sites are eligible for the Annual Awards? Keep your eyes open for when applications open in January, become a 5-2-1-0 site for free, and apply for your site!
Make It OK
HSI Executive Director Jami Haberl was busy with Make It OK presentations and panel discussions in October! On October 14th, she presented at the Greater Iowa Credit Union's all-day staff training at the FFA Enrichment Center. Over 125 staff members from various locations attended the event. Darby Hill, Vice President of GICU, shared her personal journey and emphasized the importance of supporting the mental health of colleagues and community members.
The next day, Jami participated as a panelist at the Iowa Cancer Consortium Summit, discussing the critical topic of "Mental Health Equity in Cancer Care." The panel featured a diverse group of experts, including Mona McCalley-Whitters, Ph.D., Anne Carter, Linn County Public Health; Max Mowitz, One Iowa; Gabe Martinez, Broadlawns Medical Center; and Ryan Crane, NAMI Iowa. Together, they explored the importance of ensuring equitable mental health support for cancer patients, addressing the unique challenges faced by different communities in accessing comprehensive care. This collaborative effort highlights the ongoing work to improve mental health outcomes within cancer care.
Finally, Back the Black Committee Member, Corey Lewis, brought the Back the Black campaign to the 2024 Greater Des Moines Conference for Young Men of Color; a FREE event offering a full day of impactful keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and the opportunity to network with community leaders and mentors.
Double Up Food Bucks
In October, the Double Up Food Bucks Program was awarded $4,820,792 as part of the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grant, which aims to tackle food and nutrition insecurity in underserved communities, as well as support healthy diets by providing access to fruits and vegetables for eligible families.
The grant will help the Double Up Food Bucks program achieve three goals.
Enhance the use of new technologies in 97 grocery stores, farm stands, farmers markets, co-ops, and CSAs across Iowa
Engage independent grocers for the adoption of the Double Up Food Bucks program
Increase customer awareness and utilization through a “food navigator” outreach program
Learn more in our blog post here!
Plus, October saw an increase in CSAs participating for the 2024 season. Check out the amazing veggies at Collaborative CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) between Black Earth Gardens (Cedar Rapids) and Trowel & Error Farm (Iowa City).
5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count!
What a busy month for 5-2-1-0! To kick it off, Governor Kim Reynolds declared October as Healthiest State Month, and throughout the month, HSI celebrated 5-2-1-0 by sharing resources, holding weekly giveaways, and spreading the word through 5-2-1-0 Ambassadors on social media. Shoutout to Loving Hands Early Care & Education, Clay Elementary, Northeast Iowa Wellness & Recreation Center, and Little Tots Family Childcare for serving as ambassadors!
The 2024 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Summit was held on October 23, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Experts from across the state came together for a day of learning, networking, and of course…massages! Topics included phone free schools, building intentional partnerships, and adaptive play!
Produce Rx
In preparation for a new group of participants to enroll in the Produce Rx program later this year, Healthy Incentives Coordinator Catie Dysert met with providers and administrators at partnering health care centers like Peoples Community Health Clinic in Waterloo, and presented on-site at Cass Health in Atlantic, and Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa in West Burlington. Keeping health care partners engaged and updated on the program will be key to a successful upcoming round of Produce Prescriptions!