Community Coaching Chautauqua

Written by Kylie Rupe

Childhood obesity rates have almost tripled since 1980 and one out of seven preschool children is obese. Many health problems result from childhood obesity - diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and sleep apnea. The project "Communities Preventing Childhood Obesity" (CPCO) has received a five year $4.5 million USDA grant to test community coaching as an effective method to assist reducing childhood obesity in seven states. The study hopes to answer two questions: How can we teach young children and their parents to make healthy decisions? Is a community coach an effective way to strengthen leadership and bring about change within a community?

Seven land grant universities collaborated for this study: Indiana (Purdue University), Kansas (Kansas State University), Michigan (Michigan State University), North Dakota (North Dakota State University), Ohio (Ohio State University), South Dakota (South Dakota State University), and Wisconsin (University of Wisconsin). Two rural communities were chosen within each state – a community coach works in one of the communities.

A community coach is becoming an important component in sustaining a community and promoting healthy change. A coach can help a coalition increase community capacity, overcome challenges to community development and increase the effectiveness of its collective efforts. Coaches encourage coalition members to reflect on group functions and activities in light of group goals, priorities, and the community change that the group desires to see. They serve as guides on the side, asking questions and offering options to help a group be more effective and self-sustaining. They do not take a facilitation or counseling role in the group.

On July 20th, 2014, community coaches involved in the grant will attend the Community Development Society Conference in Debuque, Iowa to participate in a community coaching Chautauqua. The coaches will explore the emerging practice of community coaching, connect with others utilizing community coaching, and learn how to document impact and change within their community. Coaches will continue to be reminded of their number one goal: To empower rural communities to create environments that support healthy lifestyles for young children.

The grant is currently in its third year of existence and will be funded through March 2016. At the conclusion, new findings on community coaching and its effectiveness will be published.