BluePrint Mini-Grants
Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts
Project Title: The StrongWomen Program
Amount Funded: $25,000
About the Organization/Coalition:
The Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition (CPAN) will partner with
National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences educators
in Pratt, Kansas and Soldotna, Alaska. CPAN published an easy-to-use
booklet and an online strength-training program for older adults. In
addition, the StrongWomen Toolkit was developed to provide functional
materials for community leaders to start programs in their local areas.
The toolkit contains information on fostering leadership and developing
community projects such as working with local agencies to make
neighborhoods more conducive to physical activity initiatives.
Project Objectives:
- Conduct a training workshop with program leaders from Kansas and Alaska
at CPAN in Boston. Training will include the proper form and speed of
each exercise in the program as well as how to effectively instruct and
assist participants learning the exercises. Additionally, the workshop
will cover all topics found in the Toolkit such as screening, safety,
and effective leadership.
- Provide ongoing support, assistance and feedback to program leaders as
they implement the StrongWomen Program.
- Conduct site visits to ensure that the program and Toolkit are being
used as intended and to allow program leaders an opportunity to discuss
problems, ideas and general program progress.
- Implement feedback from sites into online community and program materials.
- Work with current sites to train new program leaders.
- Expand the online community support network. The first stage will involve
establishing a network of participating StrongWomen sites, creating a
message board where program leaders can post comments and questions,
and begin sending a monthly newsletter to program leaders for scientific
updates. The second stage will involve developing online training and
examinations for current and potential program leaders, and listing
resources for purchasing equipment, arranging transportation for
participants, and applying for funding to initiate or expand existing
programs.
Progress Report:
2003 accomplishments for the StrongWomen Program included:
- Conducted training workshops with nearly 100 program leaders at Extension sites in 16 states.
- Assisted sites with program preparation and promotion.
- Initiated the 12-week program at Extension sites in late summer.
- Conducted site visits to provide ongoing support and assistance.
- Trained health professionals from across the U.S.
- Launched the StrongWomen Program website.
Contact Information:
Miriam Nelson
Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Tufts University
150 Harrison Ave., Room 247
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 636-3735
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