Please Help! Proposed CHAMPPs Budget Cuts:
Our Healthy Community Design funding is up for cuts this year. This funding comes through a CHAMPPs grant and has been recommended for cuts by Governor Shumlin. The elimination of the CHAMPPS funding in FY16 (Part of the Agency of Human Services – AHS – budget) would end the healthy community design portion of the combined community grants in all ten coalitions currently funded for physical activity and nutrition work. The work done by the coalitions has made long-lasting changes in our communities to help make physical activity and good nutrition the easy choice for Vermonters. Examples of local work funded through the CHAMPPS grant locally include the improvement of the Wolcott Park, assistance on the Cambridge Trail Mapping Project, funding for bike lanes in Morrisville, and the addition of a wellness chapter as part of Morristown’s recent Town Plan revision. This funding has helped to make Healthy Community Design mini-grant projects a reality throughout the region including: bike-racks in Cambridge & Morrisville, Elsa French Park project in Hyde Park, bike trail design in Cambridge, Johnson Skate Park project, Lamoille Rail Trail Signage, Jeffersonville Farmers’ and Artisan Market POP youth initiative, and Johnson and Eden Elementary playground projects. If you are concerned about these cuts, please contact your local legislators.
2014/2015 Healthy Community Design Mini Grants Announced! 
Healthy Lamoille Valley is pleased to award the following projects $500 each to help promote Healthy Communities! Elsa French Park, Village of Hyde Park; Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Signage, Town of Johnson; Power of Produce Club, Jeffersonville Farmers’ and Artisan Market; Community Playground, Johnson Elementary School; Trail Design, Brewster River Mountain Bike Club. Check out these great projects at: https://www.healthylamoillevalley.org/hcd-grant-announcement/
JSC Disc Golf Project
Healthy Lamoille Valley is currently working with the Dean of Student’s Office to support the redesign of the Disc Golf Course for the spring of 2015. Students have undertaken much work to update and improve the course. Healthy Lamoille Valley will be working with students and JSC administrators to provide signage with wellness messages throughout the course that will encourage users to choose healthier alternatives to alcohol or drug use. Once completed the course will be open to the community.
Statehouse Visit
People’s Academy middle and high students visited the Statehouse on Wednesday, January 28th for “Prevention Day”, an annual celebration of initiatives to create healthier communities in Vermont. Prevention coalitions and youth groups from around the state came together to be recognized for their contributions to preventing alcohol and drug use, making their schools and communities safer and healthier for all. While there they got to visit with House Speaker Shap Smith and Representative Avram Patt. Read the full details of their visit: https://www.healthylamoillevalley.org/statehouse-visit/.
Call for Partnership for Success RFP’s Ongoing Submissions
Hazen’s SADD chapter recently received funding. Watch for an upcoming post detailing their great work!
Healthy Lamoille Valley has grant funds available for one-time project proposals to be awarded through the Partnership for Success Grant in mini-grants of up to $2,500 for a total of $8,000 to be awarded in the region. Healthy Lamoille Valley is interested in opportunities that leverage new ideas for projects that address the priorities of the PFS grant which include: reducing underage drinking among persons 12-20, reducing binge drinking among persons aged 18 to 25 and/or reducing prescription drug misuse and abuse among persons aged 12 to 25. This will not be ongoing funding. Proposed projects should have a one-time and lasting value, or have other means of sustainability.
Proposals may include projects that engage youth or young adults in leadership development, training or activities that support healthy behaviors and healthy choices, to name just a few ideas. All creative ideas are welcome and we are available to work with you to develop your idea. All proposed projects must occur in the Lamoille Valley. These communities include: Cambridge, Jeffersonville, Waterville, Belvidere, Eden, Johnson, Hyde Park, Morrisville, Wolcott, Stowe, Elmore, Hardwick, Greensboro, Craftsbury, Stannard, and Woodbury. The project must be completed and evaluated by the end of June, 2015.
Any school or nonprofit organization located in the Lamoille Valley may apply. Proposals will be accepted until all funds have been awarded or April 30, 2015, whichever comes first. Proposals will be reviewed monthly (The next review begins February 16th). Visit https://www.healthylamoillevalley.org/pfsrfp/ for the complete Request for Proposals (RFP) form and current projects list. Questions may be directed to Carol@healthylamoillevalley.org.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month – Start Preparing Now!
Healthy Lamoille Valley has promotional resources and funding for area employers to offer the eCheckUp program as part of their employee wellness plans at no cost to the employer. We will gladly come and share with you and your staff. Please contact Jessica Bickford at jessica@healthylamoillevalley.org or call 802.730.6599 for more information. Check Out eCheckUp firsthand at:
https://www.healthylamoillevalley.org/resources/echeckup/