History

LCHAY was initially convened in September 2004, as a community health project of the Lane County Medical Society. For its first 2 ½ years LCHAY operated as an all-volunteer project focused on education and raising awareness of childhood obesity and its impact on Lane County.

In 2007, with the receipt of grant funding from The Northwest Health Foundation and Meyer Memorial Trust, LCHAY hired its first executive director. Since that time LCHAY has continually worked to develop it organizational capacity, hone its unique role in local obesity prevention efforts; and focused on policy and environmental change to support healthy eating and active living.

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Highlights of Activities

September 2004 the Lane County Medical Society in Eugene, Oregon convenes the Lane Coalition for Healthy Active Youth- LCHAY- to address the alarming rate of childhood obesity in our community. Three work teams are established and work through 2006;

The School Resources Team, a Health Care Practices Team, and the Prenatal-to Pre-K Team. The School Resources Team developed a toolkit for all 16 Lane County school districts, providing information and resources to guide formation of their Wellness Policies, with an emphasis on obesity prevention. In addition, several LCHAY members crafted the Wellness Policy for district 4J, Lane County’s largest school district. During 2006-2007 academic year LCHAY representatives sat on the 4J School Wellness Committee to address administrative rules for school food policy.
The Health Care Practices Team assisted Lane County physicians to more effectively address physical activity and healthy nutrition with their patients. The team created and distributed “Healthy Habits” brochures to provide practical tips for families to improve their nutrition and level of physical activity. Additionally, this team coordinated the “Childhood Obesity Prevention: Tools for the Primary Care Practice” conference, held in May 2006 and attended by nearly 100 local physicians and other health professionals. The conference featured obesity experts from Oregon Health Sciences University and David Katz, M.D. from The Yale School of Public Health.
The Prenatal-to-Pre-K Team reached out to pregnant women and families with preschool-aged children; developing a toolkit of educational resources which offers guidance to improving physical activity and nutrition habits for this age group.

2005 The National Institutes of Health designates LCHAY as an “Intensive Site” to implement the WECAN! Program (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition) a curriculum targeting kids ages 8-13 and their parents. This unique program offers instruction in ways to improve physical activity, nutrition, and “screen time” habits. Classes are offered as part of existing programming at Springfield’s Willamalane Parks and Recreation, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and City of Eugene Recreation Services.

2005-2006 BMI Data Collection Project is conducted (project information). In partnership with the Lane County Public Health Department and the University of Oregon’s Department of Anthropology, LCHAY collaborates with 56% of the school districts in Lane County to obtain student body mass index. Nearly one quarter of all Lane County K-8th graders are weighed and measured.

Fall 2006- LCHAY receives grant funding from Meyer Memorial Trust and Northwest Health Foundation giving LCHAY the opportunity to build capacity while continuing the important mission-driven work of childhood obesity prevention.

May 2007 LCHAY hires its first Executive Director and turns its focus to long-term organizational sustainability; and policy and environment change to support healthy eating and active living;

Fall 2007 an LCHAY board member is instrumental in securing funding for Roosevelt Middle School (RMS) to hire a program manager for a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. City of Eugene’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Strategic Plan includes a goal to: “Develop a comprehensive SRTS Program that works with at least one new school every year.” LCHAY representatives serve on the new Eugene SRTS Team which is tasked with supporting this plan goal.

Spring 2008 LCHAY launches newly redesigned website and electronic newsletter.

June 2008- Present Springfield Farmer’s Market opens. LCHAY is a key partner in efforts to bring locally grown, fresh produce to downtown Springfield, Oregon.

October 2008 LCHAY’s “Healthy Habits for a Healthy Life” brochures are made available in Spanish.

December 2008 LCHAY kicks off a local initiative to enact Chain Restaurant Menu Labeling in Lane County, while also advocating for a statewide bill to ensure all Oregonians have access to nutrition information.

January 2009 Oregon legislature passes statewide Menu Labeling bill.

March 2009 LCHAY receives tax exempt status from the IRS becoming an idependent non-profit, charitable organization.

2009- Present Eugene's Safe Routes to School Program continues to grow and thrive; with increases in the number of schools participating, as well as overall number of kids walking and biking safely to school.

December 2009 "What the Health?!" A quarterly film & forum series to explore how media, place and policy impact health is created; reaching audiences of up to 120 people at a time.

October 2010 The 4th Annual RiverBend Run/Walk 5K is held to benefit LCHAY. This year's event sees 30% growth in participation and includes the addition of a Health & Wellness Expo, free kids fun run and other activities.

November 2010 LCHAY's Healthy Corner Stores Initiative; a pilot program involving researchers, retailers, advocates, social service agencies and economic development organizations, working alongside households in underserved neighborhoods to increase availability of healthful, affordable foods receives three-year grant funding.