The Healthy Communities Coalition of Eagle County has received a $125,000 grant from the American Planning Association’s Plan4Health program to support healthy eating and active living (HEAL) locally, in order to combat chronic disease.
The Plan4Health grant will be used to review comprehensive land use plans throughout the Eagle River Valley while developing strategies that promote HEAL activities within the built environment. In addition, a pilot program to increase community engagement will be launched, intended to bring a greater variety of input to local government processes and decision-making.
The Healthy Communities Coalition is comprised of community members and professionals representing local government, non-profits, health and youth organizations focused on creating opportunities for healthy eating and active living for all residents of Eagle County. The coalition’s Plan4Health efforts will be led by the county’s Public Health and Planning departments.
Plan4Health is a multi-year program that strengthens the connection between planning and public health. Seventy-five percent of the program’s funding supports local and state coalitions working to advance public health through better planning and partnerships, specifically through leveraging skills and evidence-based strategies. The program is implemented in partnership with the American Public Health Association and represents a major new collaboration between planners and public health professionals. Funding for Plan4Health was provided through an award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more information, contact Healthy Communities Coordinator Katie Haas at 970-328-8855 or atkatie.haas@eaglecounty.us; or Eagle County Planner Kris Valdez at 970-328-8752 or atkris.valdez@eaglecounty.us.