In a collaborative effort to support the SHAPE Initiative, the Governor’s Office created the Georgia SHAPE Partnership in 2010. This group of government, education, healthcare and non-for-profit leaders will provide the schools with the proper information and tools to successfully implement the program. These partners provide funding, training, data centralization, reward/recognition and a sustainable plan for long-term results.
The Georgia Governor’s Office
Improving the health and wellness of Georgians is essential to promoting our state as a great place to live, work and play. For far too long, the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity and similar health conditions has risen in Georgia. The consequent rise in healthcare costs has adversely affected our productivity, quality of life and the ability to attract jobs to Georgia. This troubling trend must be reversed through a concerted effort to promote healthy lifestyle choices and disease prevention. As the incidence of childhood obesity continues to rise, these efforts must start early in life. The SHAPE Partnership is a unique public-private opportunity to begin to promote childhood fitness and build a culture of wellness among Georgia’s youth. This is a critical mission in our overall effort to ensure children are healthy and learning.
The Georgia Department of Education
Governor Perdue signed HB 229 (Student Health and Physical Education Act) April 28, 2009. Part of this law requires all students enrolled in a physical education course in grades one to 12 to have an annual fitness assessment beginning during the 2011-2012 school year. The fitness assessment and data collection procedures will be the responsibility of the Department of Education. A Fitness Assessment Committee has been created to help determine the methods to be used.
The Georgia Department of Public Health
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency responsible for the health of Georgia’s communities and the entire population. In 2011, the General Assembly restored DPH to its own state agency after more than 30 years consolidated under other departments. At the state level, DPH is divided into numerous divisions, sections, programs and offices, and at the local level, DPH functions via 18 health districts and 159 county health departments. Through the changes, the mission has remained constant – to protect the lives of all Georgians. Today, DPH’s main functions include: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records and the State Public Health Laboratory. For more information on DPH, visit www.health.state.ga.us.
Maternal and Child Health, Georgia Department of Public Health
The mission of the Maternal and Child Health Program in the Georgia Department of Public Health is to implement measurable and accountable services and programs that improve the health of women, infants, children, fathers, and families in Georgia. This mission is achieved through (1) the implementation of clinical services that include services for children with special health care needs; Georgia’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); family planning services; and newborn metabolic, genetic, and hearing screening; and (2) the funding of innovative ideas and projects through the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Our mission at Children’s is to enhance the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. We have a vision to transform pediatric healthcare and be the leading voice for the health of Georgia’s children. Children’s is leading a statewide effort to improve child wellness and address the obesity epidemic by giving kids what they need to be healthy when, where and how they need it.
Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation (AFYF)
Investing across Georgia, the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation helps nonprofit organizations reduce childhood obesity and improve youth fitness. The foundation was established in 1985 to serve as the philanthropic arm of the Atlanta Falcons. Since Arthur Blank acquired the Atlanta Falcons in 2002, the foundation has grown to be the largest owner-funded foundation in the National Football League, providing more than $17 million in grants to nonprofit organizations across the state of Georgia.
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Formed in 1995, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation promotes positive change in people’s lives and enhances the communities in which they live. The Foundation invests in early childhood development, education, greenspace, and the arts and has an especially strong interest in supporting innovation that improves the lives of low-income youth and their families. Mr. Blank co-founded The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, in 1978 and retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001. Through the foundation and his family’s personal giving, Mr. Blank has granted more than $250 million to various charitable organizations.
The Atlanta Braves Foundation
The Atlanta Braves Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Atlanta Braves that actively supports community organizations and their programs within the metro Atlanta area. Since its inception in 1992, the Atlanta Braves Foundation has provided support to thousands of metro Atlanta-based organizations and has annually contributed more than $3.3 million in financial and in-kind assistance to the community. Through the generous support of Braves players, employees, sponsors and fans, the Atlanta Braves Foundation continuously strives to make a positive impact in our community.
