Faith-Based Settings
Strategy 1
Faith-based organizations should identify effective applications of their health ministries to promote physical activity. (FBS-1)
TACTICS:
Identify published and other literature regarding the structure and utility of health ministries. (FBS-1.1)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will conduct a review to identify those within faith-based organizations (e.g. parish nurses, lay helpers) who are leading successful health ministries.
Identify the individuals and groups who will lead implementation of physical activity promotion strategies in faith-based settings. (FBS-1.2)
Objectives:
- By 2020, an academic group, in collaboration with faith-based leaders, will conduct a review of literature regarding the structure and utility of Health Ministries to establish guidelines for successful health ministries.
- By 2020, identify a coalition of researchers, practitioners and representatives of faith-based organizations to establish a clearinghouse where information can be shared.
Establish, if necessary, health ministries that are consistent with the faith community’s religious beliefs to promote physical activity among the faith community. (FBS-1.3)
Create an environment supportive of physical activity by delivering evidence-based physical activity messaging and programs that are consistent with the faith community’s religious beliefs. (FBS-1.4)
Develop in-person, online, and other training programs to support the health ministries of diverse faith-based organizations that seek to create programs to promote physical activity. (FBS-1.5)
Objective:
- By 2020, include training programs to address the creation and implementation of health ministries in the clearinghouse.
Strategy 2
Faith-based organizations should establish partnerships with organizations from other sectors to promote physical activity in a manner that is consistent with their values, beliefs, and practices. (FBS-2)
TACTICS:
Support existing ministries and meeting groups already present in faith-based organizations, such as youth, women’s, and men’s groups, who seek to promote and incorporate physical activity. (FBS-2.1)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will identify best practices for promoting physical activity in faith-based organizations and disseminate these best practices through the clearinghouse; as possible, identify population-specific programs relevant for youth, women, men, etc.
Partner with other local sectors (e.g., business, education) for funding, technical assistance, and expertise to implement evidence-based/informed physical activity and other health programs. (FBS-2.2)
Objectives:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will develop a list of types of potential partners, based on list of best practices that could provide funding, technical assistance, and expertise to implement physical activity programs, considering population-specific groups (e.g. youth, older adults, women).
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will develop sample materials for building collaborative relationships, requesting funding, soliciting technical assistance, and seeking expertise.
Collaborate with higher education (e.g., undergraduate and graduate kinesiology programs, public health) to develop and implement inclusive physical activity programs and to provide technical assistance and expertise when requested. (FBS-2.3)
Objective:
- By 2020, a coalition of researchers, educators and faith-based organization leaders will develop a module(s) that could be incorporated into higher education programs to provide education on physical activity promotion within faith-based organizations.
Collaborate with local healthcare delivery systems and institutions and other local faith-based organizations to develop and implement inclusive physical activity programs and to provide technical assistance and expertise when requested. (FBS-2.4)
Objectives:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will develop/identify a list of types of suggested potential local healthcare partners who could provide relevant expertise and technical assistance for promoting physical activity in faith-based organizations.
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will develop sample materials for partnerships that faith-based organizations could use to build collaborative relationships and solicit technical assistance and expertise from local healthcare delivery systems.
Support the promotion of faith-based physical activity programs as a provider of community-based or culturally tailored health promotion program that could be reimbursed. (FBS-2.5)
Objective:
- By 2020, identify health promotion programs that include the promotion of physical activity that are reimbursable and identify the supplier eligibility and enrollment criteria.
- By 2020, develop a training plan to assist faith-based organizations with becoming eligible program providers.
Strategy 3
Large faith-based organizations should institutionalize physical activity promotion programs for their employees. (FBS-3)
TACTICS:
Support the promotion of physical activity programs within faith-based organizations as a worksite wellness and community health promotion activity. (FBS-3.1)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will identify best practices for faith-based organizations to promote physical activity among employees.
Communicate with clergy and lay leaders regarding the importance of inclusive physical activity promotion as a component of employee wellness programs. (FBS-3.2)
Objective:
- By 2020, disseminate best practices for faith-based organizations to promote physical activity among employees through the clearinghouse.
Support clerical training programs that train leaders who will be prepared to see the value of and advocate for physical activity planning in their faith-based organizations. (FBS-3.3)
Objective:
- By 2020, identify collaborations with the Education sector to support the inclusion of physical activity in faith-based organizations.
Provide seed grants for faith-based organizations to design and implement physical activity and other health promotion initiatives. (FBS-3.4)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will identify resources to assist faith-based organizations in seeking funding for physical activity programs.
Strategy 4
Large faith-based organizations should identify or develop marketing materials tailored for faith community leaders to enhance their perceptions of the value of physical activity. (FBS-4)
TACTICS:
Identify existing messages and materials that effectively address the beneficial effects of physical activity programs on faith-based organizations’ finances, membership, and member health and spirituality. (FBS-4.1)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will compile a list of existing resources that outline the benefits of including physical activity programming for faith-based organizations, and disseminate these resources through the clearinghouse.
Support the development of messages from all religions and denominations that demonstrate how scripture and religious law can support and encourage engagement in physical activity and other positive health behaviors. (FBS-4.2)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will develop resources that identify relevant scriptures/religious references and list existing tools that include these elements, and disseminate these resources through the clearinghouse.
Encourage faith leaders, including existing ecumenical and cross-faith organizations and committees, to incorporate physical activity and other health messages in their religious and secular communications using religious beliefs or scripture unique to their specific faith doctrine. (FBS-4.3)
Objective:
- By 2020, an academic group, in collaboration with faith-based leaders, will develop a resource that will provide information on best practices on the incorporation of religious beliefs/scripture into physical activity and health communications, and disseminate this resource through the clearinghouse.
Develop programs that link physical activity programs to other activities, such as prayer and study groups. (FBS-4.4)
Support individual faith-based organizations by identifying appropriate marketing lists to help communicate about physical activity and other health programs. (FBS-4.5)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will develop a database or mailing list to distribute information on evidence-based strategies for promoting physical activity in faith-based organizations.
Strategy 5
Physical activity and public health organizations should partner with faith-based organizations in developing and delivering physical activity programs that are accessible to and tailored for diverse groups of constituents. (FBS-5)
TACTICS:
Establish partnerships with faith-based organizations to support the development and/or delivery of evidence-based physical activity programs that uphold the faith community’s values, practices, and beliefs. (FBS-5.1)
Objective:
- By 2020, an academic group, in collaboration with faith-based leaders, will convene at least 2 conferences (e.g. satellite meetings at regional public health meetings, denominational meetings, or other faith-based conferences) bringing together faith-based organizations and physical activity partners to share or provide training on evidence-based physical activity programs.
Support planning and implementation of physical activity programs that use existing infrastructures, such as ministerial organizations and interfaith coalitions. (FBS-5.2)
Objective:
- By 2020, share capacity building materials for faith-based organizations (e.g., training manuals, implementation guides) through the clearinghouse
Include, where possible, physical activity programs at multiple points across the lifespan. (FBS-5.3)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will identify physical activity programs for pregnant women, children, teens, young adults, mid-life and older age persons as noted in tactic 2.1 that appear promising for integration into faith-based settings.
Partner with faith-based organizations to boost awareness and use of physical activity best practices among faith communities. (FBS-5.4)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will support faith-based organizations in creating and implementing training programs, including in-person and on-line programs, regarding physical activity best practices, and disseminate these programs through the clearinghouse.
Identify and provide evidence-based physical activity resources and best practices to faith-based organizations for distribution through existing faith-based websites and relevant social media. (FBS-5.5)
Objective:
- By 2020, an academic group, in collaboration with faith-based leaders, will develop a list of evidence-based physical activity resources and best practices that can be posted on faith-based and social media sites, and disseminate these materials through the clearinghouse.
Market and promote the above training materials and opportunities. (FBS-5.6)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will develop a plan to market and promote training materials and opportunities as well as metrics to evaluate their reach.
Develop and provide training materials (e.g., technical assistance and implementation guides, webinars) to help faith-based organizations build their own capacities for adoption of effective and inclusive physical activity promotion programs. (FBS-5.7)
Objective:
- By 2020, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance* will create capacity building materials to share with faith-based organizations (e.g., training manuals, implementation guides), and share these materials through the clearinghouse.
Encourage faith communities to conduct needs assessments related to their physical activity programs and services, establish goals, choose and launch physical activity programs, and evaluate outcomes through appropriate reporting systems and motivational recognition and awards. (FBS-5.8)
Objective:
- By 2020, an academic group, in collaboration with faith-based leaders, will develop guidance on how to access and use existing tools such as the Congregational Health Index to develop a comprehensive needs assessment for physical activity programs and services, and share this guidance through the clearinghouse
Include all religious affiliations, racial/ethnic groups, and geographic locations in efforts to promotion physical activity in faith-based organizations. (FBS-5.9)
Strategy 6
Physical activity and public health organizations should create and maintain an electronic resource for faith-based organizations to access evidence-based programs and best practices for promoting physical activity in faith-based settings. (FBS-6)
TACTICS:
Support faith-based organizations in establishing criteria for reviewing and classifying “faith-based” and “faith-placed” programs and “best practices” within each religious affiliation. (FBS-6.1)
Objective:
- By 2020, develop a multi-denominational advisory committee to obtain faith leader and lay member input on how to review and classify physical activity programs and “best practices”
Support faith-based organizations in addressing, where possible, physical activity programs at multiple levels, including individual, family, faith-based organization, and community. (FBS-6.2)
Objective:
- By 2020, share resources to address physical activity programming for multiple populations (e.g. women, youth, older adults) through the clearinghouse.
Review and synthesize literature of health programs in faith-based settings, with a focus on physical activity, weight control, and physical activity-related chronic diseases. (FBS-6.3)
Objective:
- By 2020, complete a literature review of health programs in faith-based settings, with a focus on physical activity, weight control, and physical activity-related chronic diseases.
Considering the above tactics, NPAP partners will release a competitive request for proposals from graduate students and their supervisors to review and synthesize literature of physical activity-specific research related to faith-based settings across all religious affiliations. Include those who do not affiliate with a religion but still participate in programs in a faith-based setting. (FBS-6.4)
Objective:
- By 2020, with input from the advisory committee, complete a needs assessment to determine required elements in the literature review and develop a request for proposals
Create a public website with physical activity research and practice program materials tailored for application in faith-based settings. Support faith-based leaders and lay community members in reviewing programs, products, and resources throughout the development process. (FBS-6.5)
Objectives:
- By 2020, post links to evidence-based programs in the clearinghouse.
- By 2010, select a method for expanding/updating the clearinghouse.
Support faith-based leaders and lay community members in reviewing programs, products, and resources throughout the development process.
Objective:
- By 2020, with consultation with advisory committee, create and validate a review process for use by faith-based leaders and lay community members.
Footnote:
* A committee of the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance (NPAPA) will work collaboratively with NPAPA organizational partners and relevant professional leaders to accomplish the identified objective.