Barbara George Johnson, executive director of The John S. Watson Institute of Public Policy at Thomas Edison State College, was one of six community leaders recognized at the Equitable Communities Conference on Dec. 3. Johnson received the Healthy Kids Champion Award, presented by the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids (NJPHK).
NJPHK is a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with technical assistance and direction provided by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. The goal of the program is to convene, connect and empower community partnerships across the state in order to design and implement childhood obesity prevention strategies that support access to affordable healthy foods and increase opportunities for safe physical activity in the cities of Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, Trenton and Vineland.
“It is an honor to have been selected for this award,” said George Johnson. “New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids and its community partners have made great strides in implementing policy and environment changes aimed at preventing childhood obesity. Some of the undertakings include assisting with the development of wellness policies, renovating playgrounds, securing commitments from local corner stores to provide healthier choices and co-sponsoring fun and fitness events.”
