Our Story
COH began as an informal collaborative looking to improve the health and well-being of children by working across organizational institutions. Eighty-four agencies came together and identified 4 areas of focus: linking and leveraging our existing resources; coordinating community messaging and education; using technology; and research and best practices to solve community problems. After a year and a half of exploring these areas through task forces, a handful of community leaders identified the need to form a more permanent association.
COH Timeline
June 2006: Over 80 agencies attend the First COH Summit held to address the need of optimizing children’s health Central Texas. Result: 4 task forces were formed to look at:
- How do we link and leverage existing resources
- How do we best use technology
- How do we better use research and best practice to improve outcomes
- How can we coordinate outreach and education
November 2006: COH hold its second COH Community Summit, adopting task force goals and objectives.
August 2007: COH holds the third COH Community Summit, where task forces report on their work and successes.
- Link and Leverage- pulled together partners to assist in the development of a child and youth mental health conference
- Research and Development- researched community initiatives across the country and key outcomes in child and youth development
- Outreach and Education- Established a community calendar of all the awareness campaigns and worked with Milkshake Media to create a brand for Children’s Optimal Health.
- Technology presents GIS mapping and its use in identifying community hotspots.
Early 2008: COH filed as a Texas Unincorporated Non-Profit Association.
March 2008: COH Governing Board formed.
May 2008: COH filed for its 501(c)3 status with the IRS.
June 2008: Funding for COH begins.
February 2009: COH holds its fourth COH Community Summit and presents the first COH mapping initiatives.
November 2009: COH completes its first project Child Obesity by Neighborhood and Middle School and presents it at the fifth COH Community Summit.
March 2010: COH is published in the March edition of Health Affairs for the obesity mapping.