Follow this page to learn more about our projects! Creating Healthy Communities (CHC) is a block grant awarded to the Vinton County Health Department to increase access to healthy foods and promote active living. The grant was first awarded in 2020. Vinton County is one of only 23 counties in the state of Ohio to received this funding from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). This grant period runs 2020-2024. The program requires that "Priority Communities" are established for each grant period. The communities for this grant period are:
- Vinton County (VC)
- Elk Township
- Village of McArthur
For 2022, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) decided to decrease the number of strategies from 7 to 3 in order to allow for funds to go further, have bigger/better projects and to have more of an impact on communities. Our 2022 Strategies include:
- NEW/REPAIRED PARKS - Wyman Park Renovation - partnership w/ VC Board of Developmental Disabilities (VCBDD) and Wyman Park Board - plans include creation of a .38 mile walking path and more.
- SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS - partnership with VC Local Schools - working together to ensure our students and stuff have the most safe and healthy transportation options.
- MOBILE FOOD PANTRY - Wilkesville area - partnership with Renovate Life Church of God - taking food boxes to this area twice per month on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday from 4-6 pm while supplies last. CHC MEETING DATES FOR 2022:
Fri. May 13 @ VC Community Building - 11:00 (Healthy Eating) & 1:00 (Active Living)
Fri. June 10 @ VC Community Building - 11:00 (Healthy Eating) & 1:00 (Active Living)
Thurs. July 7 @ VC Community Building - 1:00 (Full CHC Coalition meeting)
Fri. Aug. 12 @ VC Community Building - 11:00 (Healthy Eating) & 1:00 (Active Living)
Fri. Sept. 9 @ VC Community Building - 11:00 (Healthy Eating) & 1:00 (Active Living)
Thurs. Oct. 20 @ VC Community Building - 1:00 (Full CHC Coalition meeting)
Fri. Nov. 18 @ VC Community Building - 11:00 (Healthy Eating) & 1:00 (Active Living)
Thurs. Dec. 8 @ VC Community Building - 1:00 (Full CHC Coalition - year end wrap up)
***2020 & 2021 UPDATES BELOW***
In 2020, the program focused on increasing access to healthy foods by supporting the VC Farmers' & Crafters' Market and assisting to adopt a Healthy Vending Policy at Superior Hardwoods of McArthur. Additionally in 2020, the program helped to promote active living by beginning the groundwork to adopt a Complete Streets Policy for the Village for McArthur. The CHC Coalition was also established in 2020 and will continue to expand in the coming years. Highlights from 2020 include:
- Established a high-functioning Coalition
- Support VC Farmers' & Crafters' Market - purchased tents, tables, sanitizing stands/refills, feather flags, radio ads, flyers, and more
- Assisted w/ adopting a Healthy Vending Policy at Superior Hardwoods of McArthur - held taste test of healthy items w/ employees, surveyed employees for input, purchased 2 machines, partnered with Vinton Industries to provide vending services
- Began education and building support for Complete Streets Policy for McArthur - held walk audits in Oct 2020 to identify barriers associated w/ walking about McArthur and areas of concern for pedestrians and safety related to walking. In 2021, the program increased the number of objectives from 4 to 7 for the year. The CHC Coalition grew in participation by 20 members. The Coalition met monthly to discuss all projects and make plans, assign duties, and adjust as needed to complete the 2021 goals.
- The Complete Streets Policy for the Village of McArthur continued in 2021. The policy was signed and adopted into practice for the village in October 2021. This policy will help guide streets projects moving forward to accommodate all mode of transportation - not just vehicular.
- The CHC Coalition partnered with the Wyman Park Board and the VCBDD to renovate Wyman Park in McArthur. Through this collaboration, the park received two new large play structures, 11 additional structures, 7 picnic tables, and 8 benches. The Wyman Park Board secured funding and made a deposit to have a new ADA-compliant surface installed on one side of Wyman Park (scheduled for Spring 2022). This project will continue to expand in 2022.
- The CHC Coalition purchased 28 road signs alerting drivers of increased bike traffic in the area. These signs were placed along St Rt 93, US 50, and side streets in McArthur to increase safety for bike riders. Also, 5 new bike racks were placed around the village to encourage biking. Those locations are: Wyman Park, VC Court House, Campbell's Market, between Dollar General/Family Dollar stores, and the VC Community Building. CHC also purchased 100 bike locks and plans to give them away at a "Bike Safety Session" at VC Middle and High Schools in Spring 2022.
- Austin Powder hosted a Health Fair in August 2021 and the CHC provided some healthy vending options for employees to taste test. The employees completed a post-survey to share their preferences. Austin Powder's Healthy Vending Policy is a joint-effort with their vending company, AVI Food Systems. This policy will likely be adopted in early 2022.
- Unfortunately, the Farmers Market and Community Garden strategies for 2022, did not work out. Upon further review of other strategies by the CHC Coalition and ODH, it was decided to switch gears and focus on a Mobile Food Pantry. The CHC Coalition chose to partner with Renovate Life Church of God (RLCOG) in McArthur to expand their current food pantry into the Wilkesville area. In 2021, the CHC Coalition purchased two refrigerator/freezer combo units for the pantry to assist w/ food storage. RLCOG started taking food to WIlkesville bi-weekly in August 2021 and CHC began supporting this effort in November 2021. This project will continue into 2022.
