Action Item #8
As a woman of INFluence, you can be a valuable member of a health-based coalition in your community and lend your expertise and support to efforts promoting heart health. A number of health-based coalitions and partnerships are already operating all over the state, and they are working on a wide variety of heart-healthy initiatives to promote improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and tobacco prevention and cessation. Follow the links below to learn how to get involved with a coalition in your area.
The Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative
The Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative includes a statewide task force working on policy and environmental-based interventions to improve healthy eating and physical activity in Indiana. Through these interventions, the task force works to prevent and control obesity and other chronic diseases among Indiana residents. Click here to learn about many of the partners and affiliates of the Indiana Healthy Weight Initiative, the coalitions they represent, and how you can get involved.
Purdue Extension
A Purdue Extension office is located in each Indiana county and the Consumer and Family Sciences (CFS) Extension educators provide community resources and programs related to nutrition and health. Click on the links below to learn what CFS offers and how to connect with your local Extension office.
Purdue Extension Consumer and Family Sciences Nutrition Programs
Purdue Extension Consumer and Family Sciences Health Programs
Local Extension Offices by County
Indiana Minority Health Coalitions
Indiana's local minority health coalitions were established for the purpose of reducing health disparities between racial and ethnic minorities and the Caucasian population in the state. The coalitions lead and participate in a variety of health initiatives in many Indiana communities and are always looking for additional partners to support their efforts.
Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalitions
Many Indiana counties have local tobacco control coalitions. Click here to find your local coalition and learn how to get involved.
Create a Health-Focused Coalition
If you do not see a coalition listed for your community focused on the heart healthy topic that interests you the most, contact your county health department to find out if such a coalition exists. If it doesn't, talk to other women of INFluence in the neighboring counties and consider joining forces to create your own local coalition to improve heart health in your community. Check out these tools and resources for coalition building and maintenance to get you started:
Prevention Institute: Developing Effective Coalitions: An Eight-Step Guide: This tool guides advocates and practitioners through the process of coalition building, from deciding whether or not a coalition is appropriate to selecting the best membership and conducting ongoing evaluation.
Community Tool Box: The Community Tool Box is a large collection of information on essential skills necessary to build healthy communities. It offers practical guidance in creating change and improvement.
Coalition Building and Maintenance: This document provides information about the basics of coalition building and sample definitions of different participation levels of coalition partner organizations.
Coalition work can be challenging, and it requires a significant amount of time and effort to get a successful initiative off the ground. However, with the right skills and dedication, coalition work can be extremely productive and rewarding.
As you work on Action Item #8, keep in mind these famous words from a historic woman of influence, Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Prevention Institute: Developing Effective Coalitions: An Eight-Step Guide: This tool guides advocates and practitioners through the process of coalition building, from deciding whether or not a coalition is appropriate to selecting the best membership and conducting ongoing evaluation.
Community Tool Box: The Community Tool Box is a large collection of information on essential skills necessary to build healthy communities. It offers practical guidance in creating change and improvement.
Coalition Building and Maintenance: This document provides information about the basics of coalition building and sample definitions of different participation levels of coalition partner organizations.
Coalition work can be challenging, and it requires a significant amount of time and effort to get a successful initiative off the ground. However, with the right skills and dedication, coalition work can be extremely productive and rewarding.
As you work on Action Item #8, keep in mind these famous words from a historic woman of influence, Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
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