Policy Leaders

Advocating to Change Policy

NHPS believes that changing policies and practices, and even cultural norms, is necessary to build healthy communities and promote healthy behaviors. NHPS is working with and through community partners and community coalitions to catalyze changes in policies and practices in the places where children live, learn and play – schools, child care centers, primary care practices and the community.

At the same time, we are embarking on a multi-year, statewide public awareness campaign designed to create the demand for change and promote policy and practice changes in the environments that play a vital role in the development of Delaware’s children.

Our initial area of emphasis is childhood obesity prevention through the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The centerpiece of this effort is the 5-2-1-Almost None message, which calls for:

• Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day
• Spending no more than two hours a day in front of a screen (TV, video games, recreational computer time)
• Getting at least one hour of physical activity a day
• Drinking almost no sugary beverages, like sodas and sports drinks

NHPS Announces Policy Agenda for 2008-2010

NHPS has developed a 2008-2010 policy agenda outlining regulatory and legislative changes designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity for children. NHPS’ policy priorities advocate for the following changes in schools, child care centers and primary care practices:

Built Environment

• Increase access to active recreation opportunities in Delaware by marketing existing opportunities and advocating for resources to maintain and enhance existing recreation sites and support and promote access to these sites.

Click here for more information about NHPS’ policy priorities for schools.

School Sector

• Continue and expand the current Physical Education/Physical Activity Program in schools which mandates that students obtain 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
• Urge all 19 Delaware school districts to adopt at least two policies from the NHPS Model Local Wellness Policy Guide. 

Click here for more information about NHPS’ policy priorities for schools.

Child Care Sector

• Legislation authorizing the inclusion of child health promotion as a component of Delaware Stars for Early Success, a quality rating and improvement system for child care providers.
• Ensure that legislation pertaining to the Delaware Stars quality rating system for child care includes standards for physical and emotional health as key components of a high quality program.

Click here for more information about NHPS’ policy priorities for child care.

Primary Care Sector

• Key policy groups in the Delaware health care community endorse the “Expert Committee Recommendations on Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight,” prescribed by the American Medical Association in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Click here for more information about NHPS’ policy priorities for primary care.