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Community Health Investment Program (CHIP)
 Community Health Investment Program (CHIP) The mission of the Community Health Investment Program (CHIP) is to encourage a healthy and safe community through the use of well-planned initiatives and partnerships that will promote Rogers, Lowell and the region as an economically-efficient, socially-integrated, and environmentally-friendly area that will result in sustainable development.
CHIP includes the Drug Free Rogers-Lowell (DFRL) program with its mission to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and other harmful substances in the workplace, home and community. Uniting these two programs under the CHIP umbrella allows for cross-over programming and activities with the common goal of creating the healthiest community possible.
With sponsorship funding and community support, CHIP will encourage area residents to develop healthy lifestyles by promoting the “Worksite Challenge: Fit With 5” program in local workplaces each year. This friendly competition challenges community members to form a team of five, receiving points to eat healthy and exercise.
In the sixth year of funding from the federal Drug Free Communities Grant program, emphasis is placed on preventing the use of cocaine, methamphetamine, underage alcohol use, tobacco, and medicine abuse. Strategies to combat this use will include a comprehensive media campaign, educational presentations, promotion of Drug Free Workplace policies, and a Merchant Flyer Education program. The sixth annual Methamphetamine Awareness Month will take place in October.
The tobacco prevention program continues in 2009 with Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services grant funds. Efforts are focused on creating tobacco-free environments, reducing exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, and linking smokers to cessation programs. In the state of Arkansas, $812 million dollars a year is currently spent directly on smoking-related diseases. Coalition strategies will include community presentations, a comprehensive media campaign, annual Operation Storefront youth assessment, and a Tobacco Retailer education program. The Arkansas Tobacco Quitline is 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). For local cessation resources, please contact our office.
In 2007, Drug Free Rogers-Lowell received a Strategic Prevention Framework/State Incentive Grant from the Arkansas Department of Health, Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention. This grant specifically addresses the issue of underage alcohol use in Benton County. Strategies include implementing an evidence-based model prevention program reaching the entire county, a comprehensive media campaign, community presentations, Town Hall meetings, “Talk it Out” nights for families, and Beverage Service trainings.
 Drug Free Rogers-Lowell (DFRL) is a coalition of all sectors of the community dedicated to improving the social health and welfare of Northwest Arkansas. For more details on DFRL visit www.ioit2me.com.
Rick McLeod - Farmers Insurance Group is a proud
sponsor of Community Health Investment Program (CHIP)
and Drug Free Rogers-Lowell (DFRL)
For more information on these program, or to
join the coalition, contact
Megan Cuddy
Program Director
Community Health Investment Program
317 West Walnut
Rogers, AR 72756
479-619-3188
megan@rogerslowell.com |
