Program Opportunity Link to outside PE-Nut Site
2012 PAC Assessment: Envisioning and Evaluating Active Communities
Advocate for the Health of Michigan students
MSU Professor Appointed to Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports
Ten Schools in Four Counties Receive Federal Safe Routes to School Grants
Governor's Fitness Awards
2011 PAC Award Recipients Have Been Announced!
Governor Snyder's 4x4 Plan for Health Aims to Build a Stronger Michigan
2012 PAC Assessment: Envisioning and Evaluating
Active Communities
2012 PAC Assessment: Envisioning and Evaluating Active Communities
The 2012 Promoting Active Communities (PAC) Assessment has been launched!
The PAC program provides free online assessment that helps communities evaluate
their built environment, policies and programs in relation to walkways and bikeways.
Any city, village, township or charter township in Michigan is eligible to register; all
communities must register for the assessment by June 15, 2012. To learn more about
active communities, the PAC program and registering for the assessment, visit MI Health Tools.
Completing the PAC assessment is the initial step for communities aiming to
provide opportunities for walking and biking to destinations and improve the safety
of their neighborhood. Upon completing the assessment, communities will receive a
personalized feedback report identifying ways to develop more active environments,
which enhances the economic vitality of the hometown. Program participants also
use assessment results to inform their local planning process and create a stronger,
more sustainable community. There are five levels of the PAC Award, and each award
recipient earns recognition for their hard work and dedication to creating an active,
healthy environment for their residents. Since the program was started in 2000, 139
communities from 56 counties across Michigan have completed the PAC assessment at
least once, and some communities have moved up an award level.
The PAC program was developed by the Michigan Department of Community
Health, the Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan State University and the Prevention
Research Center of Michigan.
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Advocate for the Health of Michigan students
Join the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD), Comprehensive School Health Coordinators’ Association (CSHCA), and the Michigan Fitness Foundation on Wednesday, February 29 to voice your opinion about health education and physical education requirements in Michigan. Participants will meet with State Senators and Representatives in groups of five to seven people and communicate the long-term benefits of quality health education and physical education for Michigan students.
The Centers for Disease Control has found evidence that there is correlation between physical activity and academic achievement (including grades and standardized test scores.) In addition, physical education and health education contribute to the improvement of our State’s public health. Participants have the opportunity to advocate for strengthened requirements for quality health and physical education for grades K-8. Required minutes will ensure our children are taught vital life skills, for a longer, healthier life as adults. Find out more about Legislative Education Day on our policy page.
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MSU Professor Appointed to Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports
James Pivarnik, Ph.D. has been appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. Dr. Pivarnik is a professor of kinesiology and epidemiology at Michigan State University. He is a member of the Science Advisory Panel to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and is the past president of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Pivarnik earned his doctorate of human performance from Indiana University and also has degrees in recreation and park administration, physical and health education, and epidemiology.
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Ten Schools in Four Counties Receive Federal Safe Routes to School Grants
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced that 10 Michigan schools in four counties will receive federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grants averaging approximately $155,500. The grants will pay for safety improvements and education programs aimed at encouraging students to travel safely between home and school.
Federal funding for SRTS enables schools to make infrastructure improvements and provide educational activities and safety campaigns to encourage students to walk and bicycle to and from school.
The following schools, listed by county, will receive grants:
Genesee County:
Washington Elementary School
Muskegon County:
Central Elementary School
Newaygo County:
Fremont Middle School
Daisy Brook Elementary School
Pathfinder Elementary School
Grant Primary Center
Grant Elementary School
Grant Middle School
Presque Isle County:
Rogers City Elementary School
Rogers City Middle/High School
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Governor's Fitness Awards
The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports invites Michigan residents to nominate an individual, organization or event for one of six Governor's Fitness Award categories. The Governor's Council is looking for individuals who have overcome adversity to pursue a healthier lifestyle, or encourage others to live health-consciously; an organization or event that promotes healthy lifestyles in their community; a workplace that makes exercising or making healthy food choices convenient and fun for employees. While each award category is unique, all recognize a similar goal, to improve the health of Michigan. To make a nomination or learn more about the awards visit www.michiganfitness.org/gfa. The award categories are:
Charles T. Kuntzleman "Accepting the Challenge" Award - Recognizes an individual who has overcome great challenges to pursue physical activity as a part of daily life.
Vern Seefeldt Lifetime Achievement Award - Recognizes an individual who has made landmark contributions to the health of Michigan residents though research, teaching, professional practice, policy or volunteer involvement related to physical activity or fitness.
Achievement Award for Public Officials - Recognizes advocates and spokespeople for healthy living through their public role.
Governor's Council Champion for Health Award - Honors an individual for his/her work promoting health lifestyles on a grassroots level.
Governor's Council Extraordinary Event/Organization Award - Honors events or organizations that provide physical fitness opportunities for the public at large.
Governor's Council Outstanding Healthy Workplace Award - Honors workplaces that promote and encourage wellness, physical fitness and healthy living.
The Governor's Council Conquering Obesity Award (Individual) - Honors an individual who has conquered obesity through dedication to physical activity and healthy eating.
The Governor's Council Conquering Obesity Award (Program) - Recognizes exemplary programs that have been effective in helping individuals find success in conquering obesity through physical activity and healthy eating.
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2011 PAC Award Recipients Have Been Announced!
Congratulations to the 28 communities that earned a Promoting Active Communities (PAC) award for striving to create active places! After thorough review process, communities in 19 counties participating this year were awarded one of five award levels. “The Michigan Fitness Foundation is pleased with the hard work and dedication all communities put forth in creating more active places to live, play and work, ” said Sarah Panken, active communities manager. The award recipients are as follows:
Gold: Jackson, Novi, Ypsilanti and Meridian Charter Township
Silver: Big Rapids, Davison Township, Delhi Charter Township, Eaton Rapids, Ecorse, Holland, Lansing, Ludington, Manistee, Port Huron, Sault Ste. Marie and St. Johns.
Bronze: Allendale, Detroit’s New Center Area, Inkster, Ishpeming, Pontiac, River Rouge, South Haven.
Copper: Adrian, Benton Harbor, Brighton, Manistique and Pellston village.
The Michigan Fitness Foundation would also like to give special recognition to a few communities that moved up an award level. Davison and Ecorse received a silver award this year, moving up from the bronze award which they both received last year. Ypsilanti received a gold award this year, moving up from the silver award which they received last year. They are all true leaders in health and use the PAC assessment feedback to improve active living policies, program and promotions in their communities.
To find out how you can initiate participation in the PAC program in your hometown, visit www.mihealthtools.org/communities.
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Governor Snyder's 4x4 Plan for Health Aims to Build a Stronger Michigan
Every Michigander has a role to play in improving the health of our state. Governor Rick Snyder announced his vision for building a stronger Michigan on September 14. The Governor indicated that health and wellness is the foundation for Michigan’s economic transformation as well as overall quality of life, and that each Michigan citizen who takes responsibility for his or her health will make a difference for our state.
As a part of his presentation, he laid out the Michigan 4x4 Plan, which encourages all Michiganders to practice four key healthy behaviors:
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Engage in regular exercise
- Get an annual physical examination
- Avoid all tobacco use
In conjunction with these key healthy behaviors, we should all be aware of four key health measures that are closely tied to the incidence of chronic disease:
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol level
- Blood sugar level
“By taking responsibility for our health and making a commitment to Governor Snyder’s 4x4 plan, each Michigander is able to make a difference for our state,” said Marilyn Lieber, president and CEO of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, and the Michigan Fitness Foundation. “We can all do our part to lift Michigan up and improve health status, the economy and ultimately quality of life in our state.”
The Governor’s announcement addressed a number of health issues, including obesity, chronic disease and health care costs. The online “dashboard” for health and wellness can be found on Governor Snyder's website.
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