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    7Jun, 2018
    Moon Township Earns Designation as a Live Well Allegheny Community

    June 7, 2018

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced that another community, Moon Township, has earned the Live Well Allegheny Community designation. Now participating in the campaign are 58 communities, 42 restaurants, 14 workplaces and 14 school districts that are making health a priority in Allegheny County.

    “We are excited to see so many of our partners in this county sign on as participants in the Live Well Allegheny initiative, and delighted to welcome Moon Township to the program,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Our region is most successful when we work together and improving the health in our county is no exception. We welcome Moon Township and look forward to seeing the great activities and offerings in their community.”

    In its formal submission, Moon Township committed to improving the health and wellness of its residents by promoting physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco cessation. The township will develop walking maps, and indoor and outdoor wellness trails that will be accessible to residents of all ages and abilities, and will encourage multi-modal transportation of residents by providing facilities that encourage walking, ride-sharing, public transportation and bike riding. In addition, the township will promote and support farmers markets, smoke-free buildings and perimeters, and provide health information across a variety of platforms

    “I am thrilled that Moon Township has earned the status of a Live Well Community,” said District 1 Council Representative, Thomas Baker. “Moon Township is a pinnacle of good government and provides such amazing programming for residents. This designation and commitment will add to the already excellent assortment of activities and events for Moon residents, while also making sure that best practices are being focused on in the township.”

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive and innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Allegheny County Board of Health and Health Department Director, Dr. Karen Hacker.

    “I was very pleased to notify Moon Township supervisors at their meeting last evening that their community earned Live Well status,” said Dr. Hacker. “Moon Township is dedicated to making health a priority for its residents, and has put together some great plans to achieve that goal. Earning the Live Well designation is easy, and we encourage those communities that have not yet applied to do so.”

    Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with the Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participating workplaces can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well. For more information on the campaign, including details on how to earn the Live Well designation, visit the Live Well Allegheny communities page.

    live-well-allegheny-community
    16May, 2018
    Two Additional Communities Earn Live Well Allegheny Designation

    May 16, 2018

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced that the Township of O’Hara and Shaler Township are the two most recent communities to have been designated as Live Well Allegheny Communities.

    “We know that a few of the things that sets our region apart from others includes our quality of life, and our focus on working together to address challenges,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “The Live Well Allegheny campaign reflects both of those things. Their participation recognizes the park and recreation opportunities offered in their community, and the campaign itself focuses on what we can do cooperatively to provide a healthier community. I’m proud of the work that Dr. Hacker and her team have been doing, and grateful that so many partners are joining us in this effort.”

    Live Well O’Hara
    The Township of O’Hara has committed to improving residents’ health and wellness through initiatives that promote proper nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco cessation. The township will encourage the support of local farmers’ markets, and continue the establishment of the Edible Trail at its Upper Woodland Park. O’Hara Township will also discourage smoking near its playgrounds.

    “I’m so proud that two of the communities in my district, O’Hara and Shaler, are taking concrete steps to improve the health and well-being of their residents by joining the Live Well Allegheny campaign,” said Anita Prizio, the County Council Member representing District 3. “By promoting important goals as physical activity, tobacco cessation and investing in our parks, we are well on our way to making Allegheny County one of the most livable counties.”

    Live Well Shaler
    Shaler Township has resolved to promote physical activity in its parks, which includes the Fall Run Park walking trails, Kiwanis Park’s community swimming pool, the numerous baseball and soccer fields, as well as tennis and bocce courts in all township-owned parks. The township will also promote participation in a voluntary wellness campaign for the community’s employees, and plan, promote and implement a Live Well Allegheny. In addition, the township will promote smoke-free perimeters, which includes buildings and township owned vehicles.

    “It’s very encouraging to see that the Live Well Allegheny campaign continues to grow and expand,” said ACHD Director, Dr. Karen Hacker. “With today’s announcement, we now have 57 communities, 42 restaurants, 14 workplaces and 14 school districts that are making health a priority in Allegheny County. We encourage all municipalities to join our efforts, and to create healthier opportunities for their community members.”

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive and innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Allegheny County Board of Health and Dr. Hacker.

    Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with the Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participating workplaces can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well.

    live-well-allegheny-community
    21Mar, 2018
    Five Additional Communities Earn Live Well Allegheny Designation

    March 21, 2018

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced that another five communities – the boroughs of Millvale, Crafton, Emsworth, Leetsdale, and Castle Shannon – have joined the Live Well Allegheny campaign. That brings the totals to 55 communities, 42 restaurants, 14 workplaces and 14 school districts that are making health a priority in Allegheny County.

    “Increases in physical activity and improvements in eating habits are just a few of the many opportunities that our five newest Live Well Allegheny communities will be providing for their residents,” said Dr. Karen Hacker, Health Department Director. “We are very pleased that 55 communities in our county are taking the steps to improve the health and well-being of their residents, and we encourage all communities to join Live Well Allegheny, if they have not already done so.”

    Live Well Millvale
    The Borough of Millvale will promote participation in a voluntary wellness campaign for the community’s employees, provide healthy foods as alternatives to vending machines through the wellness program, and encourage involvement with community volunteer activities.

    Live Well Crafton
    The Borough of Crafton will encourage participation in physical activity, share information on recreation and learning events, develop and maintain outdoor wellness trails accessible to residents of all abilities, and develop and display detailed walking maps. The borough will offer healthy foods in borough-operated concession areas and promote and support community gardens. The borough has also taken steps to encourage involvement with community volunteer activities, promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters, and provide health information through a variety of platforms.

    Live Well Emsworth
    The Borough of Emsworth has resolutions to rehabilitate the walking trails at Marmo Community Park, will promote and support farmers markets, and encourage involvement with community volunteer activities. The borough will also share information on their senior wellness campaign, and will plan, promote and implement a Live Well Allegheny event, and will promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters.

    Live Well Leetsdale
    Leetsdale Borough has pledged to further improve residents’ health and well-being by sharing information on wellness campaign events and seasonal events, encouraging community involvement with volunteer activities, and planning, promoting and implementing a Live Well Allegheny event in cooperation with the yearly Leetsdale Snowflake 5k Run/Walk. The borough is also supporting smoking cessation by promoting smoke-free buildings and perimeters.

    Live Well Castle Shannon
    Castle Shannon Borough promises to develop indoor and outdoor wellness trails accessible to residents of all abilities, will encourage multi-modal transportation of residents by providing facilities or policies that encourage walking and bike riding, and will encourage involvement with community volunteer activities. Furthermore, the borough will promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters, and encourage participation in a voluntary wellness campaign for the community’s employees.

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive and innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Allegheny County Board of Health and Dr. Hacker.

    Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with the Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participating workplaces can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well. For more information on the campaign, including details on how you can become a participant, visit our Live Well Communities page.

    26Jan, 2018
    One Community and One Workplace Earn Live Well Allegheny Status

    January 25, 2018

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced today that one community and one workplace have earned the Live Well Allegheny designation. This brings the total to 50 communities, 41 restaurants, 14 workplaces and 13 school districts that are making health a priority in Allegheny County.

    “We are very pleased to announce that the Borough of Dravosburg and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank have committed to the Live Well Allegheny program,” said Dr. Karen Hacker, ACHD Director. “To reach our goal of making Allegheny County the healthiest county in the nation, we want to ensure that residents have access to healthy options where we live, learn, work and eat. We encourage all community partners to join the Live Well Alleghenycampaign if they haven’t already done so.”

    Live Well Allegheny Community
    The Borough of Dravosburg is committed to accomplishing the goals of Live Well Allegheny, and will take actions that will impact both employees and residents. For employees, they will promote the participation in a voluntary wellness campaign and offer incentives for employees who walk or bike to work. For residents, the borough will focus on increasing physical activity by promoting walking trails, developing walking maps, encouraging multi-modal transportation by providing policies and facilities that encourage walking and biking, and promote wellness events. Dravosburg will also promote local farmers markets and ask for healthier options in their vending machines, and promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters.

    Live Well Allegheny Workplace
    The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has a Workplace Culture Committee that provides its employees with opportunities to improve physical health, mental health, and personal and community safety. Employees have access to: healthy food options in vending machines, filtered water stations, secure bicycle storage and safe outdoor walking paths. The Food Bank has integrated workplace policies, such as a tobacco-free policy, a breast-feeding policy that includes isolated areas and flexibility for employees to pump at work, and two Employee Assistance Programs. Health education, screenings and prevention are also offered, which includes a free annual flu shot clinic for employees.

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive, innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Allegheny County Board of Health and ACHD Director, Dr. Karen Hacker.

    Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with the Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participating workplaces can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well.

    7Sep, 2017
    West Homestead Ice Skates in August!

    West Homestead Borough, a Live Well Allegheny Community, found a fun way to encourage physical activity during its Community Day that took place on August 19th at Calhoun Community Park. Residents could ice skate outside in the summer on an all-weather ice rink. Experienced skaters brought their own ice skates for free sharpening before they hit the ice, and others rented ice skates so beginners and experts could skate together on a rink with snow machine, lights and music.

    This activity was a project of the Live Well Allegheny Mon Valley Initiative. Funded by the Jefferson Regional Foundation, the initiative promotes the Live Well Allegheny campaign specifically in the south hills and Monongahela River valley. Municipalities and school districts in the region can apply for mini-grants up to $500 to promote Live Well Allegheny in their community. The funding is intended to implement a new program that the school or community has been thinking about or to add a healthier component to something that exists, like community day events. Community days are a great way to celebrate the places we live.

    Communities and schools are getting creative with the mini-grants by encouraging activities that will increase access to fresh and healthy food, increase physical activity and decrease smoking. We are very excited to see how West Homestead Borough is creatively being active and living well.

    17Aug, 2017
    Several New Live Well Allegheny Designations

    August 17, 2017

    PITTSBURGH –  The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced today that one municipality, one school district, two workplaces and four restaurants have been designated as part of the Live Well Allegheny campaign during the past month. This brings the total to 49 communities, 13 school districts, 13 workplaces and 41 restaurants that are making health a priority in Allegheny County.

    “In order to reach our goal of making Allegheny County the healthiest county for all residents it takes all of us doing our part to make healthy choices where we live, learn, work and eat,” said Dr. Karen Hacker, Director. “I am so pleased to be able that these organizations are joining with us in our efforts, and thank them for each contributing to Live Well Allegheny.”

    Live Well Allegheny Community

    Mount Oliver Borough is committed to sharing information on wellness campaign events with the broader community to encourage the voluntary participation of residents, encourage multi-modal transportation of residents by providing facilities or policies that encourage walking and bike riding with a specific focus on making good connections to municipal parks and promoting and their farmer’s market.

    Live Well Allegheny School District

    The Elizabeth Forward School District’s commitment began with a community garden that is farmed by elementary students at Greenock Elementary School and a summer enrichment class called, “Little Sprouts.” The class teaches children about growing and cultivating a garden as well as how to prepare the food that they grow. They also participate in “Cooking Matters” classes with parents sponsored by 412 Food Rescue, conduct several food drives and have a “Food Cupboard” at the school that provide food items for the neediest families. Additionally, the district provides healthy lunches and snacks for students. In the future, the district plans to conduct community surveys and to expand gardens to other schools in the district.

    Live Well Allegheny Workplace

    PITT OHIO has a robust workplace wellness program that includes offering healthy food and snacks for purchase in its cafeteria and in vending machines, and makes those same options available during company meetings and events. Employees have access to comprehensive health insurance including dental and eye care and preventative care without copays. The business has also established a tobacco-free workplace policy which includes cessation services, and is creating and sponsoring employee athletic teams and activities. To underscore PITT OHIO’s focus on health and wellness, a health and wellness coordinator has been in place since October 2015. In addition to providing resources, the workplace also provides annual Health Risk Assessments, a before-work stretching program, weight-loss competitions, group challenges and walking events.

    TCV Community Services offers its employees healthy food options in vending machines, a private area for breastfeeding employees, well-lit and safe stairwells, and access to water fountains dispensers and coolers on site. Moving forward, the workplace will be considering consider a tobacco and smoke-free work campus. The organization is also exploring the integration of health and wellness policies into its organizational structure through the adoption of a healthy food policy, a policy to support breastfeeding employees, the use of financial incentives to encourage participation in health improvement activities, potential health-club discounts for employees, and will provide or ensure that employees have access to comprehensive health insurance including dental and eye care in addition to preventive care without co-pays. Employees have access to health education information and are encouraged to participate in screenings including those for body mass index, obesity, and blood pressure.

    Live Well Allegheny Restaurant

    The leadership of each of these restaurants has committed to providing healthy options for customers, information on which can be found on the Live Well Allegheny Restaurants page.

    Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participating workplaces can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well.

    Live Well Allegheny was launched in January 2014 by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald as a comprehensive, innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Board of Health and Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker.

    7Aug, 2017
    Sharpsburg Passes Complete Streets Resolution

    On July 25th Sharpsburg Borough, a Live Well Allegheny Community, passed a Complete Streets resolution.  A Complete Streets resolution indicates that the municipality will focus on building a healthy community by making its streets safer for all types of users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transit users. More information on the effort can be found here: https://smartgrowthamerica.org/program/national-complete-streets-coalition/what-are-complete-streets/.

    We talked to Councilwoman Brittany Reno about why Sharpsburg passed a Complete Streets resolution. She highlighted the fact that the community has many residents who rely on walking, cycling, and public transit to get where they need to go. Since Sharpsburg is beginning to experience more private and public investment, it is important to ensure that future development in the borough improves the overall quality of life and safety for all residents and visitors of Sharpsburg, not just motorists.

    Sharpsburg has several upcoming projects that will be important to implementing Complete Streets in the borough, Councilwoman Reno said, including a redesign for the Main Street business district streetscape. With this project, they are critically considering accessibility, safety, pedestrian experience, and traffic flow improvements.

    The councilwoman also told us that educating the community about Complete Streets has spurred positive dialogue between residents and business owners. Since most residents and business owners in Sharpsburg agree that creating safer streets for people of all ages and all methods of transportation is worthwhile, they have seen a lot of support and excitement around Complete Streets.

    We are excited to see Sharpsburg’s commitment to this initiative and look forward to supporting this Live Well Community as they take their next steps to creating Complete Streets across the municipality.

    31Jul, 2017
    Homestead, Versailles Boroughs Become Live Well Allegheny Communities

    July 29, 2017

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) today announced that the Boroughs of Homestead and Versailles are the latest municipalities to be designated as a Live Well Allegheny Community. That announcement was celebrated earlier today at Homestead’s Community Day that was held in the borough’s Frick Park.

    “We couldn’t be more proud to see so many municipalities want to become involved in what Dr. Hacker, the Board of Health and the Health Department are doing to improve the health of our community,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “It’s obvious that the work being done here, on a variety of issues, is really cutting edge in public health and that we are all benefitting from the expertise that Dr. Hacker has brought to our county.”

    The Borough of Homestead is committed to providing a healthy environment for all residents. The community will share information on wellness events with the broader community and encourage volunteer participation, promote a Live Well Allegheny event in partnership with the campaign, develop trails accessible to all residents, encourage multi-modal transportation by providing facilities or policies that encourage biking and walking, promote and support farmers markets, encourage involvement with community activities, promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters and utilize web sites and social media to share wellness information.

    “It is so important that as part of Live Well Allegheny our communities are taking specific action steps to improve the health of residents,” said Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the Allegheny County Health Department. “There is so much that communities can do to impact health. Whether it is offering a wellness program for employees or promoting health and wellness activities to residents, every action makes a difference. Congratulations to the newest members of the campaign.”

    The Borough of Versailles has committed to action steps to provide a healthier community for residents. The community commits to promote participation in a voluntary wellness campaign for employees, share information about the campaign with the broader community to encourage voluntary participation, encourage involvement with volunteer activities, promote smoke-free buildings and perimeters, promote health information focused on monthly or seasonal events and utilize web sites and social media to share wellness information.

    The communities are also in the footprint for participation in the Live Well Allegheny Mon Valley Initiative that is supported with funding from the Jefferson Regional Foundation.  Its key objectives include increasing the number of people with access to smoke-free and tobacco-free environments, healthy food and beverage options, and physical activity opportunities. Partners include the Allegheny Health Network, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, the Steel Valley Council of Governments, the Human Services Center Corporation, Tobacco Free Allegheny, Just Harvest, Allegheny County Economic Development and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

    Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participating workplaces can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well.

    Live Well Allegheny was launched by County Executive Fitzgerald in January 2014 as a comprehensive, innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Board of Health and Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker.

    7Jun, 2017
    Deer Lakes, North Versailles Newest Members of Live Well Allegheny

    June 7, 2017

    PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) announced today that the Deer Lakes School District has formally been designated as a Live Well Allegheny School. The announcement was celebrated at the district’s 8th Annual Employee Health & Wellness Fair.

    “We know that what attracts people to Allegheny County and its municipalities most is the quality of life that we offer here. We are grateful to the Deer Lakes School District and North Versailles Township for joining us in our efforts for a healthier community,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Along with the existing members of the campaign, each of these steps ensure that we continue to offer a great quality of life in our communities and that we are also focused on continuing to improve those quality and, along the way, the health and well-being of our residents.”

    The Deer Lakes School District is committed to providing a healthy environment for their students and staff members. The district intends to start a school garden through a recent grant for Tower Garden growing units, which will use aeoroponic technology and grow a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, the high school will incorporate Life-Skills program in conjunction with hands-on approach to gardening practices. The Skyward communication tool has helped the school promote healthy food changes to school lunches, including increasing low-fat milk options over sugary beverages and limiting processed foods. Deer Lakes School District has a wellness committee that has developed a walking club for staff and offers a complimentary salad meal to one teacher per week for participation in the club. Lastly, the school district is participating in the “Building Healthy Schools” program with Penn State PRO Wellness.

    “As the Live Well Allegheny campaign continues to grow, it is so exciting to see how communities and school are taking on activities for health. We now have 12 schools/districts and 46 communities who have committed to adopting live well activities,” said Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the Allegheny County Health Department. This is a movement and it takes all of us working together to make Allegheny County a healthier place.”

    The Township of North Versailles has also joined the Live Well Allegheny campaign, having been designated as a Live Well Allegheny Community. The township has committed to a number of action steps in order to provide a healthier community for residents. The community promotes smoke-free buildings, perimeters, as well as parks by participating in the “Young Lungs at Play” program. North Versailles is also committed to providing residents with opportunities to be physically active by maintaining parks and recently developing a walking trail. The community actively promotes and supports local Farmers’ markets. Lastly, the township commits to sharing information on wellness campaign events with the broader community to encourage the voluntary participation of residents.

    Participants in the Live Well Allegheny campaign work with Health Department’s staff. While monetary resources are not part of the initiative, participating workplaces can receive materials, information and collateral items to promote the campaign and their individual efforts to live well.

    Live Well Allegheny was launched by County Executive Fitzgerald in January 2014 as a comprehensive, innovative strategy on wellness that embraces a broad concept of living well to include physical health, mental wellness, personal and community safety, prevention and preparedness, and much more. The effort is being led by the Board of Health and Health Department Director Dr. Karen Hacker.

    Live-Well-Allegheny-Communities-Live-Well-Braddock-Hills
    2May, 2017
    A Small Borough Making Life a Little More Walkable

    November 2,2016

    PITTSBURGH– Braddock Hills, a Live Well Allegheny Community, is a small borough that is approximately eight miles east of downtown Pittsburgh. The Borough Secretary, Cheryl Sorrentino, shared more about the initiatives Braddock Hills has been developing to make its borough one of the healthiest and most active communities in Allegheny County. In 2016, the borough decided to partner with Live Well Allegheny in order to develop areas in the borough to be walking and exercise friendly. They hope that by partnering with the campaign it will allow them access to ideas that will improve the health and well-being of their residents.

    Currently, Braddock Hills is working on a walking track initiative. They want to turn a currently underutilized field space and create a public park and a walking track. This will be an area that is not directly located near residential property to ensure privacy, but close enough to encourage residents to utilize the space. This is an initiative that the borough believes will greatly improve the well-being of their residents, since there are very few sidewalks in this area making its walkability far below where they would like it to be.

    Additionally, Braddock Hills collaborates with other Live Well Allegheny partners as well as neighboring boroughs to find activities and events that are occurring nearby. The borough posts these events on the website to promote engagement and activity of residents.

    Braddock Hills is doing a lot to promote and develop health and well-being within the borough. In the near future, Braddock Hills will be a very walker-friendly area. The borough believes if it is an example of showing it cares about the health of its citizens, it can be a bigger part of Allegheny County’s goal to be the healthiest in the United States.