CCE Sullivan Stimulates Wellness

Sullivan County— Poor health outcomes in Sullivan County are not an unfamiliar issue, but one that is traceable to risk factors like poor nutrition and physical inactivity. In response, Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCE) helps increase access to healthy foods and physical activities across the County through its Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) initiative, funded by the New York State Department of Health since 2015.

CHSC is a coordinated, multi-sector approach designed to increase demand for, and access to, healthy foods and opportunities for daily physical activity. The goal is to create meaningful, sustainable change through the implementation of policies, systems, and environmental improvements. School districts currently involved in the Healthy Schools effort are Fallsburg, Liberty, Tri Valley, Monticello, Sullivan West, Livingston Manor, Roscoe, and SC BOCES. Communities involved in the Community effort include Bethel, Fallsburg, Liberty, Mamakating, Monticello and Thompson. Active CHSC wellness projects include outdoor activity stenciling projects, school salad bars, blender bikes, celebration carts, local trail enhancements, water bottle filling stations, safe routes workshops, Math N Movement, ChildLight Yoga, cafeteria makeovers, and more.  

These efforts work towards reducing the risk of obesity and chronic disease in coordination with other CCE programs and projects including Farm to School, Sullivan Fresh Farmers Markets, Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard, and Complete Streets community planning efforts.

CHSC program objectives through May 2026 include:

•         Facilitating School Wellness Policy updates and implementation of policies for physical activity and nutrition

•         Implementing policies, plans and projects in municipalities that promote active transportation, and increase safe and accessible physical activity

•         Improving policies, practices and environments for physical activity and nutrition in childcare centers and day care homes

•         Implementing food service guidelines (FSGs) with worksites (e.g., hospitals, universities/colleges, private workplaces, and state, local and tribal government facilities), and community settings (e.g., parks, stadiums, buildings/areas where community organizations meet), to increase the availability of healthy foods

•         Helping schools comply with federal regulations and establishing a healthy nutrition environment for foods served outside of meals, limiting marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages.

•         Providing training, technical assistance, and resources for school staff to implement and strengthen quality physical education, increase physical activity throughout the day, and before and after school, and increase staff, family & community involvement.

To learn more about Cornell Cooperative Extension and CHSC, contact Creating Healthy Schools Coordinator, SueAnn Boyd, at srb46@cornell.edu or (845) 292-6180 ext. 117; Creating Healthy Communities Coordinator, Wanda Cruz, at wvc22@cornell.edu or (845) 292-6180 ext. 110; or Program Director, Malinda Ware, at mgw77@cornell.edu or (845) 292-6180 ext. 111.