Current Initiatives

Our initiatives aim to provide avenues for collaboration and communication to foster and support physical activity and healthy eating through education, awareness, and the encouragement of policies and organizational change that will make Portage County the healthiest county in the state.

• Worksite Wellness Initiative
• Fit Kids Challenge
• Community Calendar
• Fit Families Fit Communities
• You Can Eat Smart

Worksite Wellness Initiative

We aim to enhance Portage County worksites' awareness of and accessibility to existing county resources, state-wide tools and resources, and training opportunities. The principal aim is to partner with local worksites is to enhance their capacity to provide sustainable and effective wellness programs that will empower their employees to lead healthier lifestyles. Funded by The Wisconsin Nutrition and Physical Activity Program.

Fit Kids Challenge

This 16 week, County-wide program is designed to encourage elementary school aged children to move more and begin the habits that support a healthier lifestyle. Participating children keep track of their activity, are eligible for great prizes, and free admission to special events. This successful program will run for the 3rd time from January-May 2010 in collaboration with all County school districts and with the support of numerous generous community sponsors.

Community Calendar

Community Calendar - Our program and event calendar is designed to connect you and your family to FUN and LOW COST community events and resources that increase physical activity and healthy eating.

Fit Families Fit Communities

This 3-year multi-faceted obesity-reduction initiative begins in 2010. The goal and objectives of this program are based on the Portage County Community Physical Activity Plan developed from information provided by residents and experts in Portage County.

This initiative will reach out to individuals, schools, worksites, and policy makers throughout Portage County to increase access to existing resources, establish new avenues for physical activity, and foster a culture of wellness that together will make it easier and more enjoyable to be physically activity every day. Funded by The Wisconsin Partnership Program, UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

You Can Eat Smart

This free program facilitates healthier snacking with vending machines. The program uses point of decision prompts (a logo) to draw the purchaser's attention to more healthful snack items. Several worksites, schools, and organizations in Portage County have used our toolkit to implement this program as a way to encourage and support healthier snacking.

Don't have the "You Can Eat Smart" program at your organization or business?

To get started, request a toolkit from Portage County CAN at pccan@co.portage.wi.us. Everything you will need to implement the program is included in the toolkit. Some vending machine suppliers in our area use a different point of decision prompt. Our "You Can Eat Smart" toolkit will allow you to see the exact criteria PC CAN uses to determine which snacks qualify as healthier choices.