Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes

The MOVE collaborative has achieved multiple policy, systems and environmental changes within its first nine months:

  • Restoration of ten open hours at the International District Community Center: After attending MOVE’s launch forum in October, 2011 where digital stories were presented by community residents to advocate for access to physical activity, the Seattle City Council reversed its decision to cut twenty hours to the International District Community Center. This provides community members 40% more access than the original plan to reduce service hours. See the story that influenced the City Council.
  • New mobile Produce Stand in South Park: A small business owner decided to open a mobile produce stand in South Park (locally known as a “food desert”) as a result of attending the MOVE forum there. According to Stockbox owner Carrie Ferrence, "Attending the MOVE forum in South Park was the tipping point for us in deciding to open up our first store in this neighborhood." At the forum, community residents, parents, and local leaders gathered and viewed stories like Paulina’s, We are What We Eat, to discuss ways to improveaccess to healthy food.
  • Tobacco Related Policy Changes: The 2012 WA State Legislature restored funding to the WA State Quitline, following devastating cuts that obliterated the entire program. Restoring the Quit line, particularly the Spanish-language line, was a specific target of the tobacco MOVE community mobilization. In additional, a low-income housing property manager is considering making the complex tobacco free as a result of MOVE’s work.
  • Change in School Nutrition Policies: Following the MOVE forum at the Concord International Elementary School, parents and teachers came together to discuss strategies to ensure better nutrition and access to physical activity at the school. In the summer of 2012, the school adopted both a “healthy celebrations” and Recess Before Lunch policies, both of which have been demonstrated to result in less food waste and improved classroom performance.