National League of Cities (NLC)
Description
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. Its mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance. Launched in January 2000, the Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute) is a special entity within NLC that recognizes the unique and influential roles that local leaders can play in strengthening families and improving outcomes for children and youth.
Active Living Initiative
As part of Leadership for Healthy Communities, the National League of Cities — through the YEF Institute — gives local leaders the tools and the knowledge to sustain healthy, viable communities. The planning activities undertaken by the National League of Cities from December 2004 through April 2005 raised awareness among municipal leaders in NLC's membership network about the growing epidemic of youth obesity through newspaper articles, an audioconference, roundtables, and several regional forums. Many of these activities also provided useful feedback from city officials that will guide future NLC efforts.
In its first full year as an Leadership for Healthy Communities member, NLC's initiative will highlight innovative strategies for preventing youth obesity and important lessons that can be shared with other municipal leaders. This early work related to promising local practice will focus on afterschool programming, collaborations with municipal parks and recreation departments, city-school joint use agreements, and the use of school wellness plans and local food councils to promote healthy eating and improved nutrition.
Prior to the end of the first year of this new initiative, NLC will publish an action kit for municipal leaders that will highlight practical steps city officials can take, as well as a variety of approaches used by communities that have already begun to address the problem of youth obesity. Additionally, an audioconference will feature speakers who will contribute to an in-depth discussion of municipal involvement in establishing and supporting effective partnerships and collaborations. Throughout the year, work with state municipal league partners in Connecticut and California will provide direct access to information about local efforts within these states and will promote city-level action through community and regional forums, follow-up technical assistance, and support to municipal leaders.
Contacting NLC
National League of Cities Institute Inc.
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004-1763
www.nlc.orgClifford M. Johnson
Executive Director
Email: CJohnson@nlc.org
