June 23, 2006
Healthy Living Minister Theresa Oswald today recognized the first anniversary of the release of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force report by announcing a new Healthy Living Clearinghouse and 32 new in motion grants, totalling more than $85,000.
"One of the key recommendations from the task force report was the introduction of the Manitoba in motion program," said Oswald. The grants announced today will help communities come together to raise activity levels and reduce barriers to physical activity."
Today’s in motion grants are in addition to 24 grants announced earlier in the year. In motion is a provincial strategy that promotes physical activity for all Manitobans. Launched in October 2005, the initiative is a partnership between Manitoba Health, Healthy Living and Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism.
In June 2005, Oswald released the recommendations of the all-party Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force, aimed at keeping children and youth active and healthy now and into their adult lives.
The task force examined issues of nutrition, physical activity and injury prevention, and identified priorities, initiatives and actions that can be implemented over the short, medium and long term to provide support for healthy environments.
"As a key recommendation of the task force, in motion has really taken off in communities around the province," said Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson. "By working together, we can help make a difference in the health of our children and provide them with the tools they need to grow into healthy adults."
Recommendations of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force report covered 10 key areas: educational health promotion initiatives, nutrition in schools, physical activity in schools, recreation facilities and access, recreation leadership, active transportation, injury prevention, low-income families, First Nations communities, and mental health and wellness.
Oswald also announced the Healthy Living Resource Clearinghouse that will provide online and telephone support to communities and organizations implementing healthy living programs. The clearinghouse services can be accessed at 204-946-1888.
"Task force recommendations that have been implemented and those that will be implemented in the future will support efforts to promote healthy living for children and youth," said Oswald. "Organizations and individuals from across the province are working with government to create an environment that supports and promotes wellness in our communities."
- 30 -
TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
March 2005 - More than $1.5 million was announced for physical activity, nutrition and injury-prevention programs. More than $575,000 of that funding was used to expand the province’s in motion program.
October 2005 - Manitoba Healthy Living introduced Manitoba in motion, a physical-activity health-promotion strategy that helps Manitobans make physical activity part of their daily lives for health and enjoyment.
Consultations were held through 2005-06 and are ongoing to discuss the amount of time students should spend in physical and health-education classes.
May 2006 - Draft school food and nutrition guidelines were made available on the Internet for comment.
June 2006 - A healthy vending machine pilot project was launched with a taste test.
May 2006 – Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism’s Community Places Program supported $3 million in neighbourhood construction projects.
April 2006 - A series of projects was announced under the Northern Healthy Foods Initiative to help improve the ability of northern communities to gain access to nutritious foods and become more self-sufficient through local production of healthy food.
April 2006 – Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism presented Kidsport with $50,000.
December 2005 - Details were announced for a $6.7-million comprehensive strategy to enhance and increase mental-health and addictions programs and services. Some of the government’s investments in mental-health and additions programs include:
-
increased access to youth beds at the Behavioural Health Foundation,-
expansion of Teen Talk to rural and northern areas,-
expansion of the Early Intervention in Mental Illness program to the western region of the province,-
expansion of the Early Intervention in Psychosis program,-
development of information and resource materials developed to help children suffering from eating disorders, and-
creation of a 24-7 provincial telephone line through Klinc Community Health Centre dedicated to suicide prevention calls.June 2006 - Manitoba Healthy Living announces a clearinghouse to provide resources and support, on-line and by phone, to communities and organizations implementing healthy-living programs and initiatives.
June 2006 – Manitoba Conservation continues to work with Resource Conservation Manitoba on programs like the Commuter Challenge.
February 2006 – Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth continues to encourage youth leadership and development through the Green Team employment program.
May 2006 - A low-cost bike helmet program was announced for Manitoba students.
June 2006 - Manitoba Healthy Living began the Protect Your Noggin bike helmet safety campaign.
June 2006 - Farm- and water-safety education campaigns were announced for across the province.
RETURN