Joint Use Forum » Tag: health

Joint Use Forum » Tag: health - Recent Posts http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/tags/health People across California care deeply about joint use. Log in or register to speak to them here. New to the joint use forum? Registration is easy and only takes a minute. Enter your email address and create a username and password. This is not an anonymous discussion board, and we encourage participants to choose a username that includes both their first and last names. Because we want to learn from each other and, together, build a movement for joint use, it is important for people to know who they are talking to. Once you've logged in, click "add new" to post a comment, or click on an existing post's title to read and/or reply. en-US Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:57:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/search.php mmartinez on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-31 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:29:46 +0000 mmartinez 31@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ In dissapointing news, Asm. Torlakson's bill did not advance out of the legislature this year. I'm hoping it can still be a vehicle for advancing this issue next year... Lori Dorfman on "How the media report on joint use" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/how-the-media-report-on-joint-use#post-29 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:09:13 +0000 Lori Dorfman 29@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ All good questions, Jane. I think we need to do two things. First, it's up to us to create news that reporters want to cover. Don Hewitt, creator of 60 Minutes, used to say, "Reporters don't tell issues. They tell stories." So that's number one. The second thing we need to do is build relationships with reporters. Joint use is a local issue, so it makes sense to get to know local reporters. Then, when we're ready to pitch a story or respond to breaking news, the reporter we want to tell the story will know who we are and know a little bit about joint use. It might be easiest to start with the second thing: identify the newspaper or TV broadcast you want to see cover joint use; identify one reporter who seems likely to be interested (maybe someone on the education, health, or city hall beat); and then invite that reporter to lunch to introduce yourself and the issue. As you get to know the reporter, you'll get a better idea of what aspect of joint use will be of interest. When you know that, it'll be easier to pitch a story when you've got one. mmartinez on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-28 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:13:04 +0000 mmartinez 28@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ Just a quick note -- the Torlakson bill will be up in Senate Appropriations Committee some point soon, so any letters or calls to committee members will help a lot! you can find the members here: <a href="http://www.senate.ca.gov/ftp/sen/committee/STANDING/APPROP/_home1/PROFILE.HTM" rel="nofollow">http://www.senate.ca.gov/ftp/sen/committee/STANDING/APPROP/_home1/PROFILE.HTM</a> jane_adams on "How the media report on joint use" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/how-the-media-report-on-joint-use#post-27 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:07:57 +0000 jane_adams 27@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ I share an underlying frustration that the media is generally focused on "problems" rather than the "solutions." We won't likely read headlines that say "School Closes at 9:00 pm Due to Joint Use." The questions are how do we frame joint use as an issue that deserves to be covered in the media? What problems does joint use solve? Have we articulated that clearly? Do we need a media spokesperson - like the Boys/Girls Clubs? hgehlert on "How the media report on joint use" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/how-the-media-report-on-joint-use#post-26 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:16:41 +0000 hgehlert 26@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ At Berkeley Media Studies Group, we monitor how the media report on public health issues because the news plays a large role in shaping public opinion and public policy. For the last two months, I’ve been monitoring both national and California-based publications for articles about joint use. The problem is there is very little news on the subject. Between June and July, mainstream national papers didn’t publish any articles on joint use. California papers weren’t much better. I found seven stories, two of which are no longer readily accessible online. Of the five articles still available, four were told from a financial perspective, typically regarding how much a joint use project will cost, with no analysis of whether it’s a smart use of resources. The articles also lacked any focus on physical activity or health even though joint use has strong ties to both. Reporters are clearly interested in writing about health -- the news is filled with articles about rising obesity rates, menu labeling legislation and health care reform -- but the media are missing the boat on joint use. Research shows that joint use can encourage physical activity by providing adults and kids alike with a safe place to exercise and play. This leaves public health advocates with a challenge to get joint use on reporters’ radars and show that it is more than a line item in a budget -- it’s a health issue. Has anyone seen articles that effectively frame joint use from a health perspective? If so, please share them! mmartinez on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-23 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:40:00 +0000 mmartinez 23@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ Yes! Great news... the bill made it out of Senate Education Committee last Wednesday, but now the real battle will be to get it out of Senate Appropriations in light of the horrible budget situation. Get letters of support in on the bill as soon as you can by going to <a href="http://www.cpehn.org/issues.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.cpehn.org/issues.php</a> Lori Dorfman on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-21 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:24:06 +0000 Lori Dorfman 21@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ Marty, is there any news on the Torlakson bill? selizabeth on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-18 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:43:08 +0000 selizabeth 18@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ Jean Shin creates sculptures from cast away objects. She currently has a show at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She said recently,"I'm attracted to objects that have the potential to be re-imagined differently from their current use or value in our society". For me this is the essence of joint use. Can we re-imagine a space or a place and see it being used additionally or differently? The vacant acres belonging to the school as a park? The empty lot as a garden? The vacated portables as a community meeting place? Some times it is as simple as it was for me. A community member said, "What about that fenced off lot at the elementary school? It has sat their unused for 25 years. That would make us a good park". Indeed! Creativity is about seeing the potential for what could be in what is.... mmartinez on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-10 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:14:48 +0000 mmartinez 10@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ Great comments, Manal! I completely agree with everything. Just one thing I want to point out or clarify (since we're talking in part about the Torlakson bill)-- I don't know that the issue with communities not taking advantage of existing state joint-use funds is the complexity of the application process (though it could be simplified). I think it's more the fact that you can use the funds for only limited purposes. For example, under the current rules you can only use the money to build an indoor joint-use space, so no playgrounds. AB 346 would give communities more flexibility in using the funds, for example to allow for outdoor recreation facilities. I agree on General Plans. Keeping track of them and influencing them might be the long-term solution. MJA on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-9 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:02:42 +0000 MJA 9@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ Particularly in this economic climate, I completely agree that allowing for community use of school facilities is a cost-effective way to bring physical activity opportunities within easier reach of more people. The question about what we should be asking for at a local, state and national levels is a great one and I would love to see everyone who subscribes contribute some ideas so that we brainstorm this together. Here are my ideas. At the local / regional level (in addition to the local organizing gislas suggested), I think we should be asking school district, city and regional government to do joint planning on a regular basis, so as new school facilities are being developed or existing ones are being renovated there is a place at the table for community residents and city planners to discuss how the facility can be developed and programmed with maximum use in mind from the beginning. Similarly, as general plans and regional blueprints are being developed, shared use of parks, playgrounds and school yards should be embedded in city and regional plans as a way to maximize the use of these assets. In other words, no local entities should be allowed to plan and develop in isolation; joint planning needs to happen up front and consistently. I also think that we need locals to exert political will to make sure that low-income communities and people of color get the very best in terms of community use of schools, parks and pools since they are most often living with least access to parks and open space. At the state level, my ideas are to work with the school facilities division to identify opportunities to facilitate and incentivize joint use, especially by severe need schools. Under the current formula, when joint use dollars are available, they are used to fund the schools that have applied for joint use dollars on a first come first serve basis, but if there was some way to prioritize or give an extra boost to schools in low income communities, we might be able to create greater equity in access. Some have suggested that the application process for joint use projects is complex, but I do not know this for a fact. Also, we may want to ask folks at the state school facilities to come out to our communities to do trainings on how to apply for these resources. I also think there might be a few things that the legislative analysts office or the office of planning and research (OPR) might be able to do to help us asses the economic value of joint use and encourage joint planning. For example OPR is responsible for providing guidelines to locales for developing general plans so they create complete streets (for bicyclists and pedestrians) and they could do this around joint use of public facilities. At the national level, especially absent funding for urban parks, we need to work with the folks at 21st century school fund and see what they are pushing for with the current administration. Thanks to their efforts, the stimulus package had some resources, including low interest loans for things like joint use projects, but since our state budget is in such a shambles it seems unlikely that there will be many or perhaps any like this. Let's keep this brainstorm going. mmartinez on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-8 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:26:57 +0000 mmartinez 8@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ Some other things I'd like to see at the state-level: 1. legislation clarifying that individuals (not just organized groups) can get schools to open their doors under the Civic Center Act and other statutes; 2. a statement from the Attorney General and/or California State Superintendent of Public Instruction clarifying their intent that schools should open their grounds for community recreation and that liability issues should not be a concern/hindrance. gislas on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-7 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:14:15 +0000 gislas 7@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ I'm convinced that giving community access to school space for play and recreation is an immediate simple solution to overcoming challenges in finding safe places to play. I believe that in order to affect change on a larger scale we need to organize community members to advocate locally for access to their school space as well as educate decision makers and help transform them to be champions for this effort. So on the last point and beyond asking for support on the Torlakson bill what else should we be asking for from our local, state and national elected officials? selizabeth on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-6 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:37:10 +0000 selizabeth 6@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ I am aware of the Civic Center Act but wonder how many Superintendents and School Boards are familiar with the act's provisions. Some education at the local level would be so helpful on the major aspects of joint use. From my perspective there is a need for the State to inform and normalize this approach to community assets. Schools are critical partners but need support and help. Obviously the proposed assistance with accessing funds, in the Torlakson bill, is a great idea when communities reach the point of seriously considering joint use. At this stage, people in smaller communities are clearly put off because the concept seems foreign, complicated and beyond their capacity. mmartinez on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-5 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:04:40 +0000 mmartinez 5@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ There are very few issues in which the state doesn't have a strong role, either as a creator of barriers or a supporter of local change. At the state level, there are tools that can be used to support local efforts. State statutes, such as the Civic Center Act, may be invoked to open schools up if the school is resistant. Also, a state program exists to help communities fund the creation of new joint use sites around the state. But the complex requirements for accessing the funding may pose a barrier to low-income communities successfully accessing those dollars. Torlakson’s bill — AB 346 — would ease these barriers. That's why it's important we get this bill through! selizabeth on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-4 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:30:41 +0000 selizabeth 4@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ I thought joint use was a local issue. How does it look at the state level? mmartinez on "New bill would make it easier for all Californians to be active" http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/topic/new-bill-would-make-it-easier-for-californians-to-be-active#post-3 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:42:01 +0000 mmartinez 3@http://www.jointuse.org/discuss/ In so many parts of California, we see nothing but rows of stores, chain malls, and freeways galore. When our communities are laid out in ways that make pavement more accessible than park space, it’s not surprising that so many of us are having a tough time getting the exercise we need to be healthy. The problem is even worse in communities of color, where there is much less open space, so it’s even harder to be active. We know we need more sidewalks, more parks, more places to walk and play. The thing is, there's an immediate answer right under our nose: joint use, the idea that we can share spaces that are already there. If your community is lucky enough to have school grounds with green grass, jungle bars, a slide -- isn’t it silly to let those facilities go unused most hours of the week when they could be used by families and children? The smart thing to do is open school grounds after hours so communities can be more physically active. We can do this now by creating joint use agreements. At CPEHN, we feel strongly that joint use agreements will improve kids’ health in communities across California, especially in places that have the fewest resources to help people be healthy. That’s why we’re supporting a new bill from Assemblymember Torlakson that would make it easier for all communities to make the most of the resources they already have.