Moving upstream: Case study findings from First 5 San Joaquin's Collaborative for Healthy Change Initiative

The environments in which families live and gather–including accessibility of healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity–can affect a number of health outcomes.  This is especially important for young children, since experiences and exposures in early childhood lay the foundation for health, development, and wellness later in life.  First 5 San Joaquin’s Collaborative for Healthy Change Initiative funds partnerships in five distinct communities (preschools, neighborhoods, health clinics, community events, and family child care providers) to implement systems change strategies aimed at creating healthier communities for young children. During this session, we will present case study findings that describe the successes in each of these communities including the formation of Parent Advisory Groups, facility improvements in health clinics, and the adoption of healthy food guidelines by food vendors.  We will also discuss the challenges, themes, and lessons learned that emerged across the five case studies.