Molina Healthcare of Florida launches childhood obesity program for at-risk children in the University Area Community

University Area CDC instituting the first lady’s Let’s Move! initiative

Tampa, Fla. (April 8, 2013) – The University Area CDC (UACDC) recently received a $3,000 grant from Molina Healthcare of Florida to help create a Let’s Move! program in the University Area Community.  UACDC has become an official “Let’s Move Faith and Communities” member with the intention to support local community efforts, highlight accomplishments throughout the country, and encourage projects that contribute to first lady Michelle Obama’s goal to reverse the trend of childhood obesity in a generation.

The first lady has challenged community groups to get creative and pursue goals that cater to specific community needs. That process can happen in three easy steps. It begins by taking a leadership role in your community, gathering the support of others, and then inspiring your community to create positive changes to get moving.

UACDC is planning on working with USF and other partners to institute fun, creative programs for children and families to teach them about better nutrition and getting families moving together. 

“We’ll have health and nutrition specialists go to places where families are such as schools, parks, community events, etc., making every attempt to remove barriers to receiving the program,” said UACDC executive director & CEO Dan Jurman. The total budget for the first year of the program is $4,000. Of that budget, $3,000 will be contributed by Molina Healthcare while the other $1,000 will be contributed by UACDC. This budget includes the cost for the staffing of the health/nutrition personnel, USF Public Health interns, and any materials needed for area families.

Angela Blaylock, manager of community engagement for Molina Healthcare, has been supporting the program in other ways as well.  “Angela brought over hula hoops, health workbooks, crayons, and small prizes for the children in preparation of the first Let’s Move! event on April 6,” said Jessica Steed, the UACDC intern responsible for the startup of the program in the University Area, “Funding is important, but it’s great to have Molina as a true partner to improve outcomes in children’s health here.” Having Molina as a sponsor and partner will help UACDC reach the goal of promoting a consistently active and healthy lifestyle while also keeping activities fun for the children in the University Area Community.

In addition to fun events in the community, Steed and UACDC are also assisting Mort Elementary School with its new Walking School Bus.  Melissa Enzor, school social worker at Mort Elementary, is very pleased to be launching the new program.  “A Walking School Bus is a group of children who walk to school together under the supervision of a trained adult leader.  It could be a parent, or volunteers like college students or local seniors.  The program promotes good health, a cleaner environment, improved traffic safety for children and reduced traffic around the school.”

“Volunteers interested in being trained to help with the Walking School Bus for Mort Elementary School should contact Melissa Enzor at 813-975-7373 ext. 233.  Parents interested in learning more about Let’s Move! events should contact Jessica Steed at jsteed@uacdc.org.

About UACDC:
The University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC) is a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership whose mission is children and family development, crime prevention, and commerce growth. Its primary focus is the redevelopment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. The UACDC was named nonprofit of the year for public and societal benefit by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2011 and 2012. It is headquartered in the University Area Community Center Complex, owned by Hillsborough County and operated by the UACDC, which is located at 14013 North 22nd Street in Tampa. For more information about UACDC, please visit www.uacdc.org or call Dan Jurman at 813-558-5212 x208.

About Molina Healthcare:
Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: MOH), a FORTUNE 500 company, provides quality and cost-effective Medicaid-related solutions to meet the health care needs of low-income families and individuals and to assist state agencies in their administration of the Medicaid program. The Company’s licensed health plans in California, Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin currently serve approximately 1.8 million members, and its subsidiary, Molina Medicaid Solutions, provides business processing and information technology administrative services to Medicaid agencies in Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, and West Virginia, and drug rebate administration services in Florida. More information about Molina Healthcare is available at www.molinahealthcare.com.