Partnership Creates Opportunities for Kids!
Parks and Recreation collaborates with Positive Coaching Alliance

Sacramento, California, February 2, 2004 – Obesity among children is at crisis proportions and young people are consumed by television and video games. These are some of the issues that parents grapple with on a daily basis, especially when there are no physical outlets for children to be engaged due to a variety of reasons.

To address these issues the Department of Parks and Recreation has formed a partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to develop a rewarding program to bring youth sports programs to communities in the City that either have not had youth sports programs, or have not had the support to maintain a sports program, or have a sports program that is in jeopardy of collapse.

“The Department of Parks and Recreation began discussions with Positive Coaching Alliance to assist in the development and support of youth sports organizations, particularly in neighborhoods without organized youth sports,” said Robert G. Overstreet, director of Parks and Recreation. “Parks and Recreation staff found that successful youth sports organizations provide the opportunity for a positive, character-building experience in which youth and adults work together in a constructive manner.”

Funding for this effort will come from the Proposition 12 Roberti, Z’Berg, Harris (RZH) Block Grant for the “Youth Sports Foundation Program.” The $200,000 will be used to foster new youth sports programs in the City and especially those areas that do not have any access to sports leagues for youth.

"The alarming increase in sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits among American children is now rising to the level of what many are calling a national crisis,” said Jim Thompson, executive director and founder of Positive Coaching Alliance. “As health care practitioners and policy experts search for answers to this issue, physical activity has emerged as one of the critical opportunities to change kids’ lifestyles. This unique partnership between Positive Coaching Alliance and the City of Sacramento will revitalize youth sports programs in selected neighborhoods and help get kids moving so that they will receive the many health and social benefits associated with organized sports."

Positive Coaching Alliance is committed to facilitating workshops, providing expertise, leadership. And guidance to coaches and parents to assist in establishing and reinforcing an atmosphere in which all participants have fund and learn to love the game. Youth participation in sports organizations will be optimized if coaches and parents present a positive, nurturing attitude. In addition to funding the program, the City of Sacramento will assist in providing sports facilities and equipment requirements.

The application process is relatively simple. An interested party submits a request for proposal to the City of Sacramento. A working group of City staff, PCA staff and members of the community screen each proposal to assure consistency with the program goals. Proposals with the highest ranking are researched and refined as to the interest, support and sustainability, including contact with the initial proposing group to provide additional detail to assist in the evaluation and selection process. Upon approval the applicant meets with City staff and PCA representatives to develop an action plan.

The Department of Parks and Recreation was established more than 150 years ago. Today, the department provides an array of services and community facilities, including more than 180 parks, 160 sports facilities, 15 community centers and more than 29 swimming or water play pools. The mission of the Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide programs and facilities, and preserve open space and the urban forest to optimize the experience of living.

All interested parties are encouraged to contact Recreation Superintendent Sylvia Fort, Department of Parks and Recreation, (916) 264-8381; or David Shapiro, Positive Coaching Alliance, (916) 492-6510.