JoAnn Doherty
Past President NJAHPERD/Advocacy Chair
Eastern Seaboard Advocacy Chair
Member, NAPHL Advocacy Committee
jdoherty021@optonline.net
As Physical Literacy and Health Literacy professionals, it is important to advocate for quality Physical Education and Health Education in every school across the country to build healthy communities. Physical Education and Health Education classes are important for receiving information, cultivating critical thinking skills, inspiring imagination, and developing the skills needed to lead active and healthier lifestyles.
To build healthy communities, we should advocate for policies that:
- Require on Physical Education and Health Education in schools.
- Fund safe routes to schools’ programs.
- Support universal meals for all students to improve food standards in school.
- Encourage First Aid and CPR training for all students and teachers in schools.
- Promote programs that are safe, developmentally appropriate, inclusive and social justice for all zip-codes.
What can you do now? Start being an advocate with your local community-schools, school board and legislative members.
- Volunteer to be on the school or district wellness committee.
- Offer a program for the school PTA/PTO to share information about your program curriculum.
- Meet one-on-one with your elected officials.
- Invite board members and legislators to visit and learn more about your program or organization – you can be a valuable resource to them!
- Write letters or emails to support local issues impacting your community.’Share your opinions freely with your elected officials and listen to their perspective on your issue.
- What can state advocacy leaders do?
- Adopt legislators to create personal connections and relationships.
- Educate legislators on issues.
- Organize an Advocacy Day at the State Capital
The most important thing is to let your voice be heard. Remember “If you are not at the table, you are not on the Menu”!
Contact the Academy Advocacy Committee to share your advocacy ideas by using the information below:
Fely Curva, Co-Chair- fely.curva@gmail.com
Betsy Fede, Co-Chair- fedem1@southernct.edu
Maria Melchionda, Board Liaison – mmelchionda@nahpl.org
Sandra Sims, Board Liaison – ssims@nahpl.org
