Home: Sites in Action: Profile: Chula Vista, San Diego County

Site Profiles

Chula Vista, San Diego County

South Bay Partnership - Chula Vista Community Collaborative (CVCC)

Collaborating grantees

The South Bay Partnership; Sweetwater Union High School District; and San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency- South Region. Other partners include: Chula Vista Elementary School District; Chula Vista Community Collaborative; the City of Chula Vista; Walk San Diego; Environmental Health Coalition; Regional Nutrition Network; San Diego County Coalition on Children and Weight and Obesity Prevention Master Plan; Area Health Education Committee; South Bay Family YMCA; local resident leaders; and local and state policymakers.

Community Description

West Chula Vista has a population of approximately 80,000, predominately Latino, but with sizable white, African American, and some API populations. The project area is defined by the attendance areas of two high schools - Castle Park and Chula Vista. The project area includes sixteen elementary and two middle schools that feed into the high schools and a continuation high school (Palomar), which draws students from the broader region.

Western Chula Vista is an area with high levels of poverty, ethnic diversity, and a large number of young children. Cross-border migration and bi-national/bilingual culture have a significant influence. According to a 2001 report by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, 36% of the students in the Southern Region of San Diego (Assembly District 79) are overweight, which makes it one of the most highly affected areas in California. Latinos constitute 69% of the children tested and have a higher than average incidence of obesity.

For more on information on community efforts and accomplishments please click here.

News Coverage/Awards/Campaigns

• New Park in Chula Vista and HEAC featured in Radio Broadcast. KPBS in San Diego did a story about the new Harborside park, emphasizing community involvement to get the park, and the county's commitment to change the built environment to combat the obesity epidemic.
• Chula Vista Councilmember Rudy Ramirez has been chosen by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) as part of the next cohort of Latino elected officials who will participate in the childhood obesity trainings funded by The California Endowment.
• SUHSD School Sector Lead wrote and submitted an article about HEAC to CAHPERD for publication; article with modifications also sent to SUHSD Grants and Communications Department.
• SUHSD School Sector Lead completed Blue Apple Health Education Award application for Chula Vista Middle and Chula Vista High School; Chula Vista High School received the national award!
• Presented a session on HEAC strategies at the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) annual conference in Santa Rosa in March 09.
• The work of the Chula Vista HEAC project was profiled in a recent publication of Trust for America's Health in 10/08 entitled, "Prevention for a Healthier California: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities". This report highlights the cost benefits of primary and community level prevention. On 10/23/08, the South Bay Partnership Director was a featured panelist for the "roll out" of the report at California's state capitol, to provide "on the ground" examples of success related to community level prevention efforts.
• CX3 student Jerry Garcia participated in the ALR conference opening presentation, talking about his experience with the renovation of Lauderbach Park.
• SDSU, WalkSanDiego, Chula Vista Police Department, and HEAC participated in a panel at the Active Living by Research conference, presenting on the renovation of Lauderbach Park, and the CPTED strategies implemented in order to address crime and safety at this park.
• CX3 Youth Leadership Project received an award from WalkSanDiego for the work they did with Lauderbach Park.
• Chula Vista Community Collaborative did a presentation of HEAC to parents. From this presentation, the parents decided to start a walking club which is taking place weekly.

Key Policy Goals and Strategies

HEAC Phase One (2005-2009)

School Sector

• Develop plans to identify, improve and market foods that meet SB 12 and SB 965 standards.
• Ensure that Physical Education mandates are adhered to at all grade levels. Improve curriculum, professional training, and facilities.
• Develop strategy for linking youth advocates (including participants in California Center training), site-based groups (parent groups, School Site Council), district bodies (PTA, CVESD School Health Council, South Bay Health Advocates), and other community groups (CV Youth Advisory Commission, CV Youth Coalition) to support environmental changes in schools.

After School Sector

• Draft regulations on promotion of physical activity to apply to extended day at school sites, and have reviewed by appropriate district counsel.
• Gain support from City of Chula Vista's Youth Sports Council and Youth Commission for improving nutrition and physical activity environments in youth programs.

Neighborhood Sector

• Promote planning and design that enhance the environment for pedestrians and cyclists around the project area. Conduct local Walkability assessments. Ensure that South West Area Specific Plan and other documents include guidelines and policies to improve pedestrian and bicyclist areas. Revise street design standards to improve pedestrian safety and access.
• Maximize opportunities for joint use to allow public access to playgrounds/open fields.
• Engage parents, youth and families to advocate for improvements in neighborhood food and physical activity environments and overall environmental quality. Provide leadership development and policy advocacy training to support community involvement.

Healthcare Sector

• Train students participating in AHEC health career mentoring program on improving their nutritional or physical activity environment and will implement a project applying the concepts they learned in the training.
• Work with Childhood Obesity Initiative and Diabetes Coalition to include a special page on obesity and diabetes treatment and prevention resources on 211 website.
• Arrange for free or low-cost childhood obesity prevention and/or weight management programs to be offered in a community-based setting.

HEAC Phase Two (2009-2010)

School and After School Sector

• Identify menu of nutrition and physical activity topic areas for Wellness committee to research, report, and develop into short, informational messages to parents for principals to use in school newsletters and/or school websites.
• Revise Wellness Policy to include before and afterschool program and healthy fundraising guidelines.
• Train entire after school staff on the importance of healthy snacks and on modeling healthy behavior. Implement a no junk food policy with after school staff.
• Recruit physical education students from San Diego State University to work with community.
• Develop and maintain a district Wellness webpage that provides parents, staff and/or community members a source of current information related to new or updated policies, and highlights schools and/or district activities supporting healthy lifestyle education and practices.
• Expand relationships between Child Nutrition Services, Schools, Wellness Committee, Parent Organizations, and parents to enhance nutrition & health communication through district quarterly advisory meetings.
• Youth leadership development component integrated into after school programs by working with after school coordinators and YMCA programs (i.e. Youth & Government and Model United Nations).

Neighborhood and After School Sector

• Create local incentives for local markets/corner stores to increase fresh produce and decrease access to unhealthy foods by working with Network for a Healthy California and City of Chula Vista to develop incentives, such as promotion of local business, as part of a Healthy Chula Vista campaign and work with Healthy Kids Choice (HKC) to develop and promote healthy menu items for children in local HEAC-project area restaurants.
• Work with HHSA-SR Food Stamp Program to ensure EBT card acceptance at CV Farmer's Market.
• Collaborate with HHSA-SR and local agencies to increase enrollment of families into the food stamp program.
• In collaboration with the Institute for Public Strategies (IPS), HHSA-SR will develop materials to increase utilization of the Food Stamp Program benefits including map of locations that accept EBT in the HEAC-project area and healthy food items recipients can purchase with Food Stamps.
• Create and promote local community gardens and advocate for local municipal ordinance supporting community gardens.
• Strengthen, implement and promote joint use policies between schools, after school programs, and parks.
• Continue to work with WSD and CVCC on implementation of Community-Based Transportation Plan (CBTP) grant in 33 Chula Vista Elementary Schools. HHSA - SR will promote the school environmental assessments among community as well as staff.
• Work with Neighborhood Council Initiative (NCI) members and Promotoras and youth to replicate Lauderbach Park revitalization model at other parks in West CV.
• Address safety issues by working with CVPD and IPS to implement CPTED concepts, and crime prevention efforts in parks in West CV.
• Continue to advocate for a sustainable structure such as the Health and Wellness Commission, to address and ensure implementation of health language into area specific plans, the Bay Front master plan, pedestrian master plan, and future redevelopment projects in West CV
• Collaborate with WSD and other HEAC partners to engage residents to advocate for land use and transportation planning that supports walkable, active communities including Pedestrian Master Plan, Community-based Transportation Plan, Southwest Specific Plan/Southwest United in Action.
• Encourage CiCV Parks and Recreation and the YMCA to implement policy strategies for good nutrition and physical activity promotion that are consistent with school and after school settings.
• Enlist support of the CA School Boards Association, to support the expansion of food/nutrition policies before and after school.

To learn More, Contact:

South Bay Partnership
Tanya Rovira-Osterwalder
619-691-8801

Sweetwater Union High School District
Loren Tarantino
619-585-6021

Health and Human Services Agency—South Region
Elena Quintanar
619-409-3324

Accomplishments

• HEAC Phase One Implemented 100% healthy vending in all City of Chula Vista public vending machines.
• Instituted breast-feeding support policy at all City of Chula Vista work sites.
• Created Healthy Community Task Force between the City of Chula Vista and HEAC to address policies leading to environmental changes that contribute to a healthy community.
• HEAC-CV was appointed a seat at the City of Chula Vista Redevelopment Advisory Committee. HEAC's role as a member is to provide public health recommendations on development applications, with emphasis on design and on conformity with adopted plans, ordinances, and guidelines.
• Implemented nutrition standards established in recent state legislation within Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) three years ahead of schedule and approved a school wellness policy more than one year ahead of schedule.
• SUHSD cafeteria and after school programs are working together to provide students with more healthy food choices meeting SB12/SB965 standards.
• Supplied target schools with a variety of posters for nutrition and physical activity promotion, to be displayed in cafeterias, PE locker rooms, health education classrooms and after school program facilities.
• PE teacher hired in Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to train teachers at target schools in effective ways to provide PE to students.
• Expanded SNAP Program (Senior Nutrition Advocacy Program) at 4 school sites in CVESD.
• Held a conference "Taking Charge of Childhood Obesity: Community Strategies for Health Professionals" for pediatricians to set standards for measurements and recording of BMI and identify policy strategies and goals.
• Created "Nutrition & Physical Activity Resource Guide for Chula Vista: Fun and Low-Cost Ways to get your Family to Eat Better and Move More"; working with 211 to plan integration of this guide with the 211 referral system.
• Health and Human Services Agency-South Region formed partnership AHEC to engage youth in health care sector activities, and to incorporate environmental change/ policy advocacy training into Promotora Certificate Worker Program courses and the National Promotora Conference.
• City Council passed the following resolutions:
• A Resolution to Adopt A Council Policy on Breastfeeding Support that will provide accommodations at all City facilities for breastfeeding mothers.
• A Resolution to Adopt a Council Policy on Public Vending Machines in City Facilities providing 100% healthy beverages and snacks per SB 12 and 965.

School and Afterschool Sector

• Continued work with Coordinated School Health workgroup (San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego County schools, Children's Hospital, American Cancer Society) preparing for Healthy and Ready to Learn event for Spring 2009 to recognize county schools that are making impressive progress toward a coordinated school health model program.
• Teachers from 2 HEAC schools and district resource teacher worked with San Diego County Office of Education in developing its Knowledge Management Systems for Health and Physical Education. Check it out: http://kms.sdcoe.net/kms/302-DSY.html
• Status of Physical Education & Physical Fitness in the District - Presentations to all principals (44 schools) and a presentation to District Advisory Council (DAC) & District English Learners Advisory Council (DELAC)(Principals and Parents) were made in January and February.
• Wellness Observational Checklist completed in 4 HEAC schools (observational tool to measure food & physical activity environment).
• District Wellness Brochure for Staff, Parents in English and Spanish will be sent out to all families within the district.
• Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) School Sector Lead facilitated the transitioning of CX3 Youth Leadership Project to an on-campus club at Castle Park High to ensure sustainability; campus club is part of the afterschool program and YMCA advisor also works with Youth in Government program (advocacy program).
• Students use the Kaiser fast food booklets provided free a couple years ago. This is a lesson on the amount of fat in fast foods. Students have to convert fat grams to teaspoons of fat and they then create "fat burgers" out of buns and vegetable shortening. Activity helps kids to discriminate between healthier and less healthy fast foods. Supplies for health education class purchased out of HEAC funds. Students learn importance of BMI, body fat, blood pressure, etc.

Neighborhood Sector

• Revitalization of Lauderbach Park: Lauderbach Park is located in the Southwest part of Chula Vista; one of the poorest areas in the HEAC target area. A joint effort generated by the HEAC/CX3 Youth Leadership Project, the City of Chula Vista, San Diego State University (SDSU) Prevention Research Center (faith-based program Caminando con Fe), WalkSandiego, Network for a Healthy California and additional partner organizations.
• Lauderbach Park Re-opening on September 6, 2008 generated a community event that garnered the participation of approximately 400 community residents. The following English and Spanish news media outlets featured the park event: (XETV Channel 6 - Local FOX affiliate, KNSD Channel 7/39 - Local NBC affiliate, KFMB Channel 8 - Local CBS affiliate, KGTV Channel 10 - Local ABC affiliate, and Univision Spanish TV station). One of the highlights of the event was the press conference, which garnered the participation of Chula Vista Mayor - Cheryl Cox, along with three additional Council Members. U.S. Congressman Bob Filner and California State Assemblywoman Mary Salas attended the event.
• With the success of the Lauderbach Park revitalization, new opportunities with partner agencies and others have recently elevated to the forefront which represent a unique continuation of Chula Vista HEAC efforts in the target community.
• Kaiser Permanente Southern California Community Benefit / HEAL awarded the Chula Vista HEAC project a $90,000 grant through the HEAL Program during HEAC Phase 2 (3/1/09 - 6/30/10) to enhance community mobilization efforts in the target community of western Chula Vista.
• Chula Vista HEAC's best practice dissemination work has moved into the neighboring community of La Mesa within San Diego County. Chula Vista HEAC staff facilitated a process of introduction between local TCE staff and administrators of the City of La Mesa and the La Mesa - Spring Valley School District, which led to this community's receipt of a two-year planning grant, to continue advancing many of HEAC's environmental prevention and policy development goals in that community. The strategic planning process is already underway, and staff is consistently able to engage in the development of this project.
• Participated in SANDAG's (San Diego Association of Governments) Creating Healthy General Plans workshop, as a facilitator for the San Diego South Region workgroup.
• Community Health Promotion Specialist and Health Information Specialist along with HEAC Project Manager and the Statewide Networking group, Vision y Compromiso, convened a group of promotoras from the County to discuss advocacy for environmental changes to improve physical activity and access to affordable healthy food. Vision y Compromiso will be providing a six-week training on advocacy for promotoras in the county's south region.
• HEAC Health Care Sector physician champion, Dr. Phil Nader, announced that the County of San Diego Immunization Registry now has the capacity to enter height and weight (BMI data) for 0-5 year olds, and that upon completion of entering the data they can print out growth charts and also the BMI chart. This is a great accomplishment, and it was a collaboration effort with the Childhood Obesity Initiative (COI).
• Local Public Health Department Health Promotion Unit attended a Health data AskCHIS training. The training provided community and government organizations with the capacity to search the UCLA Health Policy Research Department's database and be able to analyze the information for reporting, decision-making, and grant writing purposes.
• Local Public Health Department Health Information Specialist participated in the County Obesity Initiative (COI) General Plan Update to provide input to incorporate health language into the San Diego general plan.
• Local Public Health Department developed an assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the Healthy Living Toolkit. We disseminated the assessment in provider offices that had already received academic detailing and had been using the toolkit. Although it was well-received, it was difficult to collect the completed assessments since there was a lot of staff turn over from the staff who had originally received the academic detailing. For future sessions, will incorporate the assessment closer to the academic detailing session and, also, post the toolkit materials and assessment on the recreationrx.org website.
• Local Public Health Department hosted the first meeting of the "promotora committee" that will be the local San Diego network of the statewide "Visión y Compromiso" promotora network.