Jefferson County Wellness Action Coalition Completes Major Planning Exercise

Fairfield, IA –On Saturday, November 14, 2009, the Jefferson County Wellness Action Coalition (JeffCoWAC) held a one-day workshop. The 13 participants spent the morning doing an asset mapping exercise that allowed everyone to graphically view all the food and physical activity assets in Jefferson County. The day’s activity was under the facilitation of Mr. Dennis Haney, Director of Iowans Fit For Life. Mr. Haney stated, "I was very impressed with the enthusiasm and intellectual capital of all participants. Jefferson County is in good hands and I look forward to great developments". 

The process showed that Jefferson County has made great progress in developing a robust infrastructure. However, most of the programs and facilities exist in their own silos. There has never been any serious attempt to create communications between the many fine programs that exist in the county. As well several gaps and overlaps exist due to lack of communication and resources.

The afternoon was spent planning for the future. The next step in the process is to present this information to other people in the county who would like to participate in shaping the future of food and fitness in the county. That meeting will be held at the Jefferson County Health Center on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 6:30 PM. If food and fitness is a concern for you this is your opportunity to have your voice heard and acted on.

Ken Daley, director of JeffCoWAC, stated "this was a very powerful step in the development of our coalition, the train is moving and we are hunting for others to join us".

(from left to right- Luann Swanson, Amanda Johnson, Tom O’Neill, Mary Parish, Deb Arnold, Detra Dettmann, Ron Blair, Mary Carter, Dennis Haney, Raul Calderon, Randy Menke, missing from photo- Derik Wulsekuhle, Ken Daley)