Fairfield Behavioral Health Services, in partnership with Fairfield Community Health Partners and the Healthy South Carolina Initiative, is sponsoring a Faith Based Tobacco Education Training session, July 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Christ Central Community Center, 35 S. Congress St., Winnsboro. Pastors, ministers, directors, deacons, secretaries or designated persons who will lead tobacco prevention efforts should attend this free training session.
The session will provide the latest information on tobacco and the impact it has on health. Training will also enhance the faith-based community’s abilities to educate congregations, families and the community, as well as implement strategies to improve health.
Registration deadline is June 29 at noon, and is limited to 40 participants (two per faith-based organization). For more information on how to register, contact Cheryl Y. Goodwin, Special Service Coordinator, at cgoodwin@fairfieldbhs.org, or 803-635-2335, ext. 33.
Fairfield Community Health Partners is one of 33 organizations in the state to have been awarded a grant by the Healthy South Carolina Initiative (HSCI) to fight obesity and tobacco use in Fairfield County. Fairfield Community Health Partners has adopted the theme: “All Aboard For a Healthy Fairfield” with specific focus areas to include tobacco-free living and healthy eating/active living. The grant funds will directly support work in Fairfield County communities. Community partners will work together on environmental and policy strategies to increase healthy opportunities in their communities.
Executive Director, Vernon L. Kennedy Sr. with Fairfield Behavioral Health Services and Mac Russell, Registered Dietitian and Chair of Eat Smart Move More Fairfield County(ESMMFC), are two Fairfield Community Health Partners who will implement faith based tobacco free prevention activities, healthy eating and active living activities and youth empowerment strategies in Fairfield County. Specifically, Fairfield Behavioral Health Services along with support from Fairfield Community Health Partners will coordinate with members of the Fairfield Ministerial Association, the Blair Coalition of Churches and other faith based organizations to provide tobacco education with the goal to adopt and implement a model tobacco-free policy, smoke-free environments including vehicles and homes. Fairfield Behavioral Health Services will also coordinate the youth empowerment strategies.
ESMMFC will continue their partnership with the Fairfield County School District to build a healthier school environment by expanding the Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) program to include all preschools. Preschool staff will be trained in CATCH Early Childhood, (a nutrition and physical activity program for children ages 3 to 5), and existing school gardens will be used to enhance the program. In addition, the school district, along with ESMMFC and Fairfield Behavioral Health Services will work with youth groups on a project to increase physical activity, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.