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Funding Period:
2004–2009
The Steps Program in Willmar, Minnesota
CDC’s Steps Program funds states, cities, and tribal groups to implement
community-based chronic disease prevention programs to reduce the burden of
obesity, diabetes, and asthma by addressing three related risk factors:
physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. Steps-funded programs
are showing what can be done locally in schools, work sites, communities,
and health care settings to promote healthier lifestyles and help people
make long-lasting and sustainable changes that can reduce their risk for
chronic diseases.
Background
Willmar, a regional center in west-central Minnesota, is located
approximately 100 miles west of the Twin Cities and is the Kandiyohi County
seat. With fewer than 25,000 residents, it is the smallest Steps community
in the state. Willmar has the third-largest Hispanic and Latino population
in Minnesota and a fast-growing Somali population. Approximately 13% of
children in the Willmar Public Schools district are in families living below
the federal poverty level (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2005), and 45% of
the district’s students, most of them in elementary school, receive free or
reduced-price meals. Steps program efforts focus on residents at greatest
risk for chronic conditions, including racial and ethnic minority groups and
people living below the federal poverty level.
Spotlight on Success
- The Willmar Steps Program promoted the Willmar Public Schools (WPS)
wellness policy as a model throughout Minnesota, and the University of
Mississippi featured it in a national case study on wellness policy
development. The Willmar Steps Program also promoted physical activity
in classrooms at eight different school sites by providing pedometers
and implementing the SMART (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated
Readiness Training) program.
- The Willmar Steps Program provided asthma-control resources to eight
school nurses and supports training for asthma-care professionals and
child care providers. The Steps Program also provides asthma education
for minority populations, who are often at high risk for this disease,
by using a language-specific community television program on asthma for
Somali and Spanish speakers and arranging for speakers and interpreters.
- The Willmar Steps Program assisted employers throughout the
community in planning and setting up work-site wellness programs;
participation ranged from 10 to more than 100 employees at the various
sites. During these programs, employees met with or attended
presentations by Steps staff members and received incentives and
educational materials that included nutrition tips and physical activity
logs.
Community Partnerships
Willmar has a long history of community collaboration and partnership
activities. Given the small population, many agencies and organizations must
work together to share audiences and available resources. Partners in the
Willmar Steps Program not only help plan and implement Steps programs, but
are also encouraged to share information about their other activities. These
partners include the YMCA, health care providers, parks and recreation
departments, schools, businesses, health-related coalitions, faith-based
communities, communications media, and local and state government agencies
and programs.
Contact
Steps to a HealthierMN–Willmar
Kandiyohi County Public Health Department
Telephone: 320-231-7860
www.stepstoahealthiermn.org/willmar.cfm*
*Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a
service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization
by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is
not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found
at this link.
One or more documents on this Web page are available in Adobe Acrobat® Format
(PDF).
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files on this page.
Page last reviewed: August 4, 2008
Page last modified: August 4, 2008
Content source: Division of Adult and
Community Health, National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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