Hello, I’m so excited to launch the IME Community Solutions for Children’s Health Podcast and YouTube series focusing on local solutions, highlighting the impactful work of visionary champions like my first guest, Jessie Coffey, MS, RDN! Want to hear about the time Jessie was working in the School Nutrition Department and one of the middle schools boycotted school lunch? Then, when she worked with the students to ask for their input, specifically, what they wanted for lunch, they demanded, “Lobster, ice cream, and soda!” By the way, I’m dedicating this series to my former non-profit, Teach a Kid to Fish, and the many community partners who aligned with the mission and vision to create community solutions for children’s health. IME Community (imecommunity.com) is the new Teach a Kid to Fish with my updated vision to create community with compassionate connection! If you’ve listened to any of my IME Community podcasts or watched any of my YouTube videos (get on it if you haven’t and remember to like and subscribe), you know that I fully believe in the power of community. With the ongoing COVID pandemic, I can’t think of anything more important than connecting on a community level with compassion. Before we get into it, make sure, after you listen, check out imecommunity.com, Join IME Community if you’re a teen, 12 to 18, or parent of a teen, or email me at [email protected] with any questions! For my first IME Community Solutions for Children’s Health visionary champion interview, I asked Jessie Coffey, MS, RDN, to share her work over two decades working on every level in the community. I have worked with Jessie for nearly 15 years and I can’t think of anyone who is more of a massive action-taker and impactful community visionary than Jessie. Jessie Coffey, MS, RDN has 20 years of experience in public health and is a registered dietitian by training and has a master's degree in Family Services Administration and is currently pursuing her PhD in Health Communication studies. Jessie has worked in multiple sectors, including state & federal nutrition programs, K-12 education and with non-profits to co-create wellbeing opportunities that support the equitable promotion of health for ALL Nebraskans. Jessie works to be a human connector, a life -long learner and strives to embrace the messiness of life that is at the heart of public health work. Key Takeaways (Absolute Gems for your stack of Post-It Notes): • “Co-construct solutions with the community.” • “I became a R.D. because I loved finding everyday solutions to help people with their complex medical problems.” • “If you’re going to do community work, be prepared for the messiness.” • “Focus on relationships and systems change to drive impact.” • “Let your participants, the end user, share their story to learn about the challenges and successes.” • “Talk less. Listen more.” • “Schools know their students best. Parents know their children and teens best.” • “Let’s get rid of the judgment and shame put on parents and move forward together as a team.” • “Always be willing to shift.” • “Don’t be afraid to take action. Go out and do that thing. You will learn more from what goes wrong than from what goes right.” • “Just think of all the knowledge and skills the child, teen and family takes with them when they participate in a community program.” Abbreviations, Resources and Links: LPS- Lincoln Public Schools NDE- Nebraska Department of Education R.D.- Registered Dietitian ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences)- Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years)(https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/fastfact.html) Alliance for a Healthier Generation- (www.healthiergeneration.org) BodyWorks- A Toolkit for Healthy Teens & Strong Families. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (no longer available) FFVP- Funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, USDA Food and Nutrition, is available for the 2021-2022 school year through the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. FFVP is designed to help create healthier school environments and combat childhood obesity. (https://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/fresh-fruit-and-vegetable-program) Full-Service Community Schools Program (FSCS) encourages coordination of academic, social and health services through partnerships among public elementary and secondary schools; the schools’ local educational agencies; and community-based organizations to improve educational outcomes in children. (www2.ed.gov/programs/communityschools) WIC – Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (www.fns.usda.gov/wic) Next up is my interview with Alynn Sampson, MSW, VP Operations, Food Bank of Lincoln! This will be another powerful interview! Self-love superpower, Dr. Karla, ActivistMDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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