Summary:

My idea, Michelle’s House, consists of a network of nutrition-focused community-based houses, modeled after the Ronald McDonald House network, where children challenged by obesity and their families can enroll and stay for up to 2-3 days, or just participate in day-program offerings. Curriculum for group and individual work will include pragmatic tips on healthful grocery shopping, meal/food preparation and storage, kitchen pantry organization, as well as accessing free or inexpensive options for exercise and physical activity. The program will be staffed by community health workers, who will also make home visits, and consulting public health nurses, nutritionists, and medical providers, as needed. Participants will have tracking of weight, height, body mass index, and vital signs. Funding will be secured via a public-private partnership between the MN Dept of Health, insurers, and private companies with an interest in or known for promotion of healthful lifestyles and weight management, such as Subway Restaurants, Lifetime Fitness, Bally’s, etc. The MN Idea Open grant money will be used for planning, networking, and piloting one such community program at an existing location, such as a community center, with kitchen and family room facilities, until "brick and mortar" funds can be generated.