A new MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do It!) cohort at a local church in Grand Junction. The family-based program supports children and their caregivers in building sustainable healthy lifestyle habits through nutrition education, increased physical activity, and behavior change strategies that promote lifelong health.

Looking ahead, Tennessee Department of Health Active Living Workshops are planned for Grand Junction and Whiteville this fall to engage community members in identifying opportunities to improve the built environment and support active, healthy living.

Haywood County Steering Committee members participated in a Tennessee Department of Health Active Living Workshop led by West Region Healthy Development Coordinator Chelsea White.

The workshop engaged committee members in evaluating how Heritage Park's built environment supports physical activity, walkability, and community well-being. Through a guided walkability assessment, the committee identified opportunities to strengthen the park as a destination for active living, helping inform future improvements that promote safe, accessible spaces for recreation, social connection, and healthy lifestyles across Haywood County.

Whiteville (Hardeman County) and Hancock have been selected among the first recipients of the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) grants through the Rural Health Transformation Program.

The awards will support community-designed projects that improve opportunities for physical activity and create healthier, more walkable communities.

Hancock County – $150,000 for the Hancock County Pedestrian Plaza Demonstration Project, a priority identified through the Walkability Action Institute Action Plan.

City of Whiteville – $100,000 for the Planning Project for a Multi-Use Trail

These investments reflect the strong partnerships and planning efforts underway in communities to create environments that make active living safer, easier, and more accessible for residents.

Tennessee’s participation in the 2026 Walkability Action Institute marks an important step in advancing collaborative, community-driven approaches to improve active transportation and the built environment.

Participating HOP & REACH communities — Alamo, Whiteville, Sneedville, and Knox County — are finalizing their community-specific action plans, translating institute training and technical assistance into strategies for safer, more walkable communities statewide.

This video, produced by the UT FCS Creative Content Team, provides a look inside the institute experience.

What Will It Take To Be A “Sidewalk Nation”?
TODAY: JULY 14 at 2PM EST/1PM CDT

Join America Walks for a webinar exploring the importance of sidewalks as a foundation for active, connected communities. Participants will learn how sidewalks:

💡 Learn how sidewalks shape public life and influence physical activity and community design
💡 Explore policy and funding strategies to support safer, more walkable environments.

The webinar will highlight lessons from communities working to prioritize sidewalk investments and improve access to walking infrastructure.

🔷  Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grant – Applications are now open for mini-grants of up to $1,000 to support Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day events. Schools and community organizations can use funding to promote walking and rolling to school while engaging students in conversations about courage, inclusion, and creating safer, more walkable communities. The application deadline is September 4, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

🔷 Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program provides $250–$5,000 in funding to support projects that enhance quality of life in rural communities. Eligible projects may address areas such as health and well-being, education, public service, and community development. Applications are due September 4, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

The High Obesity Program is made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the CDC or imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about the High Obesity Program (HOP) program at https://www.cdc.gov/dnpao-state-local-programs/php/about/.