Mission: To improve the health of New Haven residents through community engagement, collaborative community-based research, and dissemination of findings. Background on CARE; chronic disease focus

CARE: Where we’ve been… Established in 2007 Identify solutions to health challenges through community action research Promote the prevention of chronic disease Focus on social, environmental, and behavioral risk factors Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’ve been… Collaboration Residents from six low-income neighborhoods Students, teachers and staff from 12 New Haven Public Schools Community partners across the city Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’ve been: Research & Action New Haven Health Survey 3600 residents in six neighborhoods Triennial: 2009, 2012, 2015 Health for Achievement 1800 students - 12 New Haven Public Schools National Institute for Health Collaboration with the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’ve been… 10 community and school gardens built.   6 miles of urban trails were marked in Fair Haven. 400 families screened for SNAP benefits. Contributed to establishment of a new City of New Haven position – Food System Director – focused on food, hunger, and health. Supported implementation of the first comprehensive Health Education Curriculum throughout New Haven Public Schools. Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’ve been… Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’ve been… Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’ve been… Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’ve been… Positive health changes Residents report: Improvements in neighborhoods make it easier to be healthy Feeling safer More food secure Higher rates of insurance Students Associations between health & academic achievement in math and reading. Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

 A partnership with SCSU helps to overcome these challenges! Lack of trust about Yale in the community Lack of engagement at the University level Sustainability  A partnership with SCSU helps to overcome these challenges! Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Partnership with Southern Connecticut State University Where we’re going… Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts. Partnership with Southern Connecticut State University

 Greater Community Impact Leveraging Institutional Assets Yale Research infrastructure and expertise Global reputation SCSU Practice-based student experiences Training professionals who stay in New Haven and Connecticut  Greater Community Impact Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’re going… Ideas for future direction at SCSU Broader research and evaluation center in service to the community Strategic issues for greater impact Match student & faculty to projects Focus on health – but create interdisciplinary opportunities Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’re going… Retain pillars of CARE’s recent work remain Neighborhood Built environment – creating opportunities to engage in healthy behaviors Focus on West Rock and Newhallville Food Insecurity Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’re going… Focused application of SCSU human resources: Graduate and undergraduate student research projects, special projects, internships and field placements Transition plans for sustaining program delivery. Internal grants for faculty/student research and projects. Paid student employment opportunities. Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Where we’re going… Enhanced partnerships with community members in our adjacent neighborhoods: Provide employment and educational opportunities for community members. Provide program grants for community organizations, individuals, and groups. Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.

Thank You! Alycia Santilli, MSW Assistant Professor, SCSU Director, CARE Sandy Bulmer, PhD Dean, School of Health and Human Services, SCSU santillia1@southernct.edu bulmers1@southernct.edu Identify solutions from evidence-based community-wide approaches to childhood obesity prevention and consider how you might apply those to your local efforts.