NALEO > NALEO Educational Fund > Upcoming Events

California Statewide Institute on Health:
Taking Action to Build
Healthy Communitites
March 14-16, 2008 | Sacramento, CA


On behalf of the NALEO Educational Fund, we extend an invitation for you to
attend the NALEO California Statewide Institute on Health: Taking Action to
Build Healthy Communities, March 14-16, 2008, at the Hilton Sacramento
Arden West in Sacramento.

With the goal of improving the health of communities throughout California,
the NALEO Educational Fund will convene California Latino policymakers, to
discuss and share policy strategies and solutions to confront the epidemic of
chronic disease, particularly obesity. Presentations and discussion will include:
school wellness, community design, neighborhood safety, transportation,
housing, recreation, and access to affordable fresh foods. Expert information
will include the latest research, model programs, and policy recommendations
from state and local officials, as well as policy researchers. Additionally,
you and your fellow California elected officials will participate in cross-
jurisdictional dialogue and have the opportunity to identify and network with
colleagues and experts on this critical issue from throughout the state.

If you are interested in attending the Institute, please fill out the enclosed
registration form and return it to the NALEO Education Fund by Friday,
February 22, 2008. Please know there is no fee to attend the Institute for
current, paid NALEO members. Complimentary lodging (two night stay) and
travel are available to you if you are unable to obtain funding from your office.

In addition to the invitation, the NALEO Educational Fund is pleased to provide
you the electronic version of our first health toolkit for Latino elected and
appointed officials, “Taking Action: Obesity in Your Community”.

In response to California’s growing Latino population and the current effects of
chronic disease, the NALEO Educational Fund recognized the need for strong
leadership to address California’s obesity epidemic. The NALEO Educational
Fund developed the NALEO California Health Leadership Program, an
intensive health policy leadership program. The attached toolkit is based on the
policy action and lessons learned from the first California Health Leadership
Group. Comprised of 12 elected officials representing various jurisdictions from
throughout the state, these California Latino elected officials have proved to be
true health champions. The toolkit provides an overview of the epidemic of
obesity in California and sample policy strategies to enhance your jurisdictions
environment to promote physical activity and increase access to nutritious,
affordable food.

The NALEO California Health Leadership Program and the toolkit were made
possible though the generous support of The California Endowment.

We hope that you and your colleagues find this toolkit useful as you work to
build healthy communities across California. If you would like to download
this report, feel free to visit our Web site at www.naleo.org/publicationsandresearch.

To take advantage of these or other NALEO health programs, take a moment to
become a NALEO member or renew membership using the enclosed NALEO
membership form. For questions on membership and other resources available
to NALEO members, please contact Mr. Julio Esperias, Membership
Coordinators, at (213)747-7606, ext 132, or email at jesperias@naleo.org.

For more information on the upcoming California Statewide Institute on Health,
Obesity Toolkit or other NALEO health programs, please feel free to contact
Ms. Marcella Martinez, Deputy Director of Constituency Services, at
(213) 747-7606, ext 124, or via e-mail at mmartinez@naleo.org.

We look forward to seeing you at the Institute and working with you to build
healthy communities in California.