| Client Note 1 |
Client Note 1 - OperationsSince 1991, the Health Education Council (HEC), Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has cultivated health and well-being in under-served communities by leveraging the power of collaboration.The Health Education Council works with residents, community, business and health care leaders to implement programs that impact the underlying drivers of health education, neighborhood safety, social connection, economic well-being, access to healthy resources the conditions and factors that affect a person's ability to achieve health and well-being.Our programs focus on integrating these drivers of health as a strategy for meeting communities where they are and achieving maximum relevance and effectiveness. The following is an outline of the programs that were active during fiscal year 2018-19.Program Area: Nutrition, Physical Activity, Tobacco, and Other Health Education ProgramsKnowledge is a foundation for healthy behaviors which contribute to well-being. HEC works with community organizations and school districts to provide resources and cultivate knowledge across a wide variety of topics, including nutrition education, physical activity, family budgeting, tobacco, healthy policies and practices. HEC also works to increase access to healthy food by increasing family awareness and utilization of Calfresh and community farmers markets and to increase the provision and sale of fresh produce and other healthy foods at small neighborhood markets.During FY 18-19, HEC partnered with dozens of schools, districts and social service providers across the Sacramento Region, connecting low-income families with the knowledge and resources they need to make healthier food and physical activity choices.HEC provided direct nutrition and physical activity education to 11,691 students, including opportunities for students to try and become accustomed to fruits and vegetables. Over 66 percent of teachers reported that their students were more receptive to fruits and vegetables after participating in the program.The program also reached 570 parents with nutrition and physical activity education through school-based walking groups, coffee chats and school events. Data collected from parents indicate high interest in healthy recipes, chef-led cooking classes and health benefits of specific foods which can be used when cooking in the home. HEC also assisted with the refinement and implementation of the school district Wellness Policies through the development of a Wellness Policy Implementation Toolkit for administrators, staff, teachers and students.HEC provided technical assistance to Twin Rivers Unified School District to implement and pilot test a breakfast in the classroom program; HEC helped the districts Nutrition Services Department develop a marketing campaign for the program, including breakfast program branding and promotional items to educate students, parents, and school site administrators about the program.HEC partnered with Her Health First to provide six workshops for pregnant and postpartum African American women. HEC provided information around healthy eating during pregnancy, mental and emotional health, and financial literacy. HEC also hosted a fitness group for pregnant and postpartum moms that met on a weekly basis and featured different types of activity like walking, prenatal yoga, Zumba, and strength and flexibility exercises.HEC worked with seven small retail stores, primarily in the Stockton area, to increase their marketing sale of fresh produce. HEC helped store owners better understand how to make produce a profit center in their stores; how to display and rotate produce; where in their store to place signs advertising produce; and how to run specials and market fresh items. Latinos Unidos Contra el Habito y Adiccin al Tabaco (LUCHA): HEC works to reduce tobacco-related disparities in the Latino community across a 14-county region in Northern California. Specially, the program aims to increase Latino access to and awareness of cessation programs and smoke-free multi-unit housing as well as to decrease access to flavored tobacco products. During FY 18-19, this program laid the groundwork for strong tobacco control efforts which include the needs and voice of Latino residents. The program collected over 400 surveys from residents to better understand their knowledge and needs for tobacco prevention and cessation. Findings were used to create tobacco educational materials especially tailored to help apartment managers develop and communicate smoke-free housing policies to Spanish-speaking residents; and to develop trainings for community leaders. The program hosted a 4-hour training for Promotoras from throughout Northern California on the impact of tobacco use in the Latino community as well as current research on vaping by Latino youth. The program augmented local tobacco on control efforts by translating and consumer testing educational materials on vaping and e-cigarette use. The program supported local efforts to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco in six communities by preparing local residents, including high school students, to voice their opinion at city council meetings and by coordinating letter writing campaigns. It also helped the Ventanilla de Salud (VDS) at the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento to develop and implement an Ask, Advise Refer protocol to increase referral of smokers in the VDS program to smoking cessation services.Program Area: Increasing Access to Healthy Programs and EnvironmentsHEC believes that when people have access to culturally tailored health programs and supportive environments their health thrives. Working with local healthcare providers, affordable housing communities and community organizations, HEC provides health screenings, including depression screenings, follow-up, and referrals; health education and mental health counseling.Ventanilla de Salud: Through Ventanilla de Salud (VDS), the Health Window at the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento, HEC provides health information, referrals and resources to low-income immigrant families from 24 Northern CA counties. In FY18-19, VDS reached over 7000 people with health education and screening services provided at the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento; four mobile clinics throughout Northern California; and 30 education events. VDS serves as an internship location for nursing students from California State University, Sacramento and Samuel Merritt University, providing students with valuable experience working with Spanish-speaking adults. VDS also serves as a connection point, linking Spanish-speaking residents with community service providers like dental programs, child development services, mental health providers and community clinics.Affordable Housing Communities: HEC provides health education and community support services for residents living in West Sacramento and Sacramento affordable housing communities. Launched in FY 18-19, West Sacramentos efforts included a Summer Kickoff Event at both housing sites and provided fun, healthy activities for kids; healthy snack demonstrations and tastings; community resources; and nutrition education. HEC also provided cooking classes for families and promoted summer meal sites to the housing communities. An opportunity assessment was conducted to best meet the needs and interests of residents and to set the years schedule of events.Program Area: Personal Safety and Community Safety ProgramsHEC believes a sense of safety and connectedness to one's community is an essential component of health. HECs Neighborhood Safety Programs work directly with residents to identify issues and invest in solutions that help revitalize neighborhoods, including park revitalizations, neighborhood walking groups as well as youth mentoring and empowerment groups. Programs focus on mental health, resilience and social connection by addressing the underlying causes of violence like trauma and systemic inequities.Safety, Health Opportunities and Practice (SHOP): This HEC program aims to improve academic outcomes, increase access to public health and social services, reduce disparities, increase communication and build resilience and reduce negative encounters with law enforcement in distressed neighborhoods. Youth learn communication skills, anger management techniques, health and nutrition, stress reduction/coping mechanisms, job readiness, and exposed to opportunities such as internships and job shadowing. During FY 18-19, over 450 male and female youth who have experienced violence as a victim and/or offender participated in the SHOP Program. Youth entered this program through one of four participating high schools as well as through the Sacramento Youth Detention Facility and a variety of community-based programs. Youth received direct mentoring support, healing from trauma, skills for mediating conflict and opportunities to build positive relationships with teachers, community leaders and law en |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.