Marin Wellness Collaborative

The Marin Wellness Collaborative (aka-Physical Activity Nutrition Wellness Collaborative) is a coalition of over 50 community organizations in Marin County dedicated to supporting good nutrition and physical fitness. It helps to connect many community efforts in increasing access to healthy foods and places to be physically active and facilitates change at the environmental and policy levels.

The Collaborative was founded in 2000 by the Marin County Department of Health & Human Services, Nutrition Wellness Program. The program and Collaborative were charged with developing the first Marin County nutrition and physical activity indicators for health and has subsequently been responsible for working with Healthy Marin Partnership’s Leadership in the strategic planning for “turning the curve” on obesity, poor nutrition and fitness and in achieving the goals and recommendations set forth in the Pathways to Progress Plan for the Community. For the most recent update of that plan go to www.HealthyMarinPartnership.org

Collaborative Partners include representatives from Marin Office of Education, County School Districts and Colleges, Early Childhood programs, Public Health programs, Health Care Providers, including Healthy Marin Partnership, Community Development Agency, Safe Routes to Schools, Marin Bicycle Coalition, Non Motorized Transportation Project, Youth Leadership Institute and many other community organizations, including business leaders, professionals, parents and youth.

Leadership Council Members/Community Partners represent at least nine different environments in Marin: Early Childhood; Schools & After Schools/Colleges; Healthcare Providers; Worksite Wellness; Public Health; Parks & Open Space; Community Development-Public Works/Safe Routes to Schools; Senior Care; and other Community Partners

Our Vision
People of Marin County are physically active, eat healthy foods and live in a community where the environment, policies and practices promote life-long health.

Our Mission
The mission of the Wellness Collaborative is to increase the ability of every Marin resident to eat healthy foods and be physically active. The Collaborative is achieving this mission in a number of ways:

• Building and strengthening partnerships and collaboration among its members and diverse communities with Marin;
• Supporting the development and implementation of food, nutrition, and physical activity policies within Marin County schools, worksites and community;
• Promoting educational and social marketing messages and other opportunities that encourage healthier choices at every stage of life;
• Supporting the development and support of “best practice models” within the community that support healthy eating and physical activity.
• Increasing communication between community members online via MarinBEHealthy.org

For more detailed information on the Collaborative, download this PDF fact sheet.

Accomplishments of the Marin Wellness Collaborative - 2010 (PDF)