2006 National Champions for Healthy Kids Grant Recipients - Project Summaries (by State)The General Mills Foundation and the American Dietetic Association Foundation, in partnership with the President’s Challenge, are proud to announce the recipients of the 2006 Champions for Healthy Kids grants. The $10,000 grants were awarded by the General Mills Foundation to 50 community groups and schools across the United States for initiatives that support innovative programs to help children develop lifelong nutrition and physical fitness habits. ALABAMAHealthy Kids: A Family Affair Healthy Kids: A Family Affair is a program developed by staff at O’Rourke Elementary School to serve up to 1,000 children from 5 to 12-years-old and their families. Students enrolled in the program will be encouraged to make wise decisions on eating healthy and getting more exercise. Program staff will provide innovative activities such as education in outdoor adventure sports to motivate the students to participate in physical activities. Physical education staff, a dietician, and a school nurse will assist in assessments and evaluations for the program. ARIZONAPartners for Healthy Active Children This program will serve over 1,000 primarily Spanish-speaking students from ages eight to ten. Students will participate in the CATCH Kids Club program, which will be led by area high school students who have been trained to teach CATCH classes. Through this collaboration, high school students will serve as role models in guiding younger students through the process of learning about healthy life choices. ARKANSASUniversity of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences
Head Start/ Early Head Start University of Arkansas Foundation
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Head Start Program in Little Rock will use the Color Me Healthy curriculum to teach children how to eat healthy and stay fit. Recognizing that 38 percent of Arkansas children are overweight, the program will expose preschool children and their parents to healthier lifestyles by adding more fruits and vegetables to their diets, drinking more water, controlling portions, choosing healthy snacks and increasing physical activity through an hour of active play every day and aerobics. CALIFORNIAENRG Campaign
The ENRG Campaign is a teen-driven program that reaches up to 4,000 rural teens in the Santa Cruz area. The campaign is designed have a positive impact by educating teens about how to improve their nutrition and physical fitness habits. Taught by teen volunteers, the program is entertainment-oriented and will include activities such as a pedometer dance contest and a pedometer challenge to increase physical activity. The program will also provide teens with a variety of workshops. Healthy Hawks
The Healthy Hawks program has been developed to improve test results which show that only 25 percent of seventh graders in Santa Clara County passed a mandatory fitness assessment. The yearlong program will train inner-city children from ages 10 to 13 to become health and fitness advocates for their families and community members. Students will also work with interns from San Jose State University that will serve as program leaders at San Jose middle schools. Healthy Weight Healthy Futures: A
Parent-to-Parent Cross-Training Model Stanford University Board of
Trustees
Pediatric residents, medical students and undergraduates of Stanford University will partner with local communities in the Healthy Weight Healthy Futures program. Parents will lead the activities in this program, which is designed to help pre-schoolers enrolled in the Head Start program improve their diets and increase physical activity. Stanford University staff will lead curriculum development to train the parents. ¡SALUD! – Compre, Cocine, Coma/ HEALTH! – Buy,
Cook, Eat – Nutrition Workshops for Parents
The Smart Start Child Development Center will serve two to five- year-olds and their parents, many of whom are low-income and are Spanish-speaking. One of the major goals of the program is to help parents understand how healthy food choices play an important role in children’s brain development and in their overall health throughout their lives. The children will learn about the different food groups and will be encouraged to try a variety of new foods as well as exercise with their parents. THINK for Student Health
The THINK for Student Health program in Santa Ana, Calif. will introduce a nutrition and fitness curriculum to after-school programs serving 2,000 primarily Spanish-speaking elementary school students living in poverty. The program will provide skills for eating nutritionally balanced foods and incorporating daily physical activities into the lives of these students, many of whom can’t afford to participate in organized sports and receive limited nutritional training at home. COLORADOHealth Nuts (HN)
Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN) has been providing services for the Englewood community since 1989 and continues its work with the Health Nuts program. MCPN will distribute Health Nuts program kits to more than 90 elementary schools - reaching up to 30,000 students. As a physical fitness component, the program provides lesson plans that incorporate active play and dance into classes. It also features a school-wide fitness challenge. In addition, students will be encouraged to plan and eat healthy meals. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAFruit and Fitness
The District of Colombia Department of Health introduces the Fruit and Fitness program designed to promote lifelong health through education about nutrition and fitness. The program, led by registered dieticians, serves primarily African-American inner-city preschool aged children. Fruit and Fitness will teach parents and children how to reduce sedentary behavior and will promote activities that encourage families to grow, taste and prepare a variety of fruits and vegetables. FLORIDASecond Harvest Food Bank Kids Café – Feeding Body
& Mind
The Feeding Body & Mind program will partner with the Mayo Clinic and the Food Bank Kids Café to provide knowledge about nutrition and fitness to inner-city young people from 6 to 20-yearsold. Dieticians from the Mayo Clinic will implement an eight-week course in which students will be evaluated on the nutritional value of foods as well as sportsmanship during physical activities. GEORGIAEating Right and Keeping Fit in the Boro
This program is a partnership between the Boys & Girls Club of Bulloch County and Georgia Southern University faculty. Staff expertise is combined to create an environment which focuses on the social, emotional and physical health of rural young people from ages 6 to 18. Students learn about nutrition and physical fitness through workshops and classes. In addition, events such as 5k runs and other fitness competitions will help generate community support for students in the program. Positive-Choice Soccer
Positive-Choice Soccer is a program that encourages at-risk children and their families to make positive choices and to improve themselves through the game of soccer. Inner-city African- American and Spanish-speaking children come together to learn how they can benefit from nutrition and fitness both on and off the field. Program leaders will teach students the best ways to stay hydrated and energized during activities such as soccer, which is used as a link to teaching about healthier lifestyles in general. ILLINOISGET SMART AT EDGEMONT
Members of the East Side Health District plan to improve the general health of Edgemont School students by increasing health awareness through GET SMART AT EDGEMONT. The program will help students improve their self-image of their bodies and help them become more knowledgeable about the importance of good nutrition and fitness. Students will be encouraged to participate in the school breakfast program, double-dutch jump rope and other activities. The East Side Health District provides preventative healthcare in surrounding East St. Louis communities. McAuliffe Champions
The McAuliffe Champions program will integrate aerobics with academics by incorporating exercise breaks during classes. Students in the program, who are mainly Spanish-speaking and ages 5-12, will also learn the importance of reading food labels, portion control, and eating the appropriate amounts of food from a variety of food groups. The educational sessions will be taught by parent volunteer AmeriCorps members and will eventually be aimed at the entire school community. INDIANACommitted to Kids
Committed to Kids is a program specifically designed to target minority youth ages 9 to 13 that are at risk of poor eating and fitness habits. The program will reach up to 2,500 inner-city young people through ten sessions. Committed to Kids is a research-based program that uses pre-and post-surveys to evaluate changes in nutrition and fitness. Program staff will encourage students to make healthier food choices and exercise more. Fit WIC Activity Kit: Play Time Tricks and Carrot
Sticks
The Play Time Tricks and Carrot Sticks program in St. Joseph County will teach parents with children from 3 to 5-years-old the benefits of eating healthy and having a regular fitness routine. The children will participate in an hour of active play four times a week as well as increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they eat. The program serves as a preventative measure and learning tool for young children and their parents. We Can! Enhancing Children’s Activity &
Nutrition
This Purdue University program is geared towards underserved young people from ages 7 to 12 in inner-city Indianapolis. Fitness and medical professionals will supervise training sessions, family events and programs. We Can! will focus on providing youth an opportunity to explore non-traditional ways to exercise such as yoga, dance, and wearing pedometers while walking. Pre- and post-program measurements will be taken to determine the awareness levels and behavior changes in students. KENTUCKYPaducah Park Services
Recognizing that Kentucky ranks as one of the top ten states at risk for poor eating habits, Paducah Park Services is adopting a program that unites the community in celebrating healthy eating habits. Children from ages 5 to 14 are the primary focus of the program, but it also provides seminars and Family Fun Days for others in the community. By developing partnerships within the community, the program staff hopes to provide a greater understanding of and appreciation for healthy lifestyles in the community. ReCharge Western Kentucky!
The ReCharge Western Kentucky! program uses fun, interactive team-based activities and goalsetting to teach third- through sixth-graders in rural Kentucky how to develop good nutrition and physical fitness habits. Take 10!
In an effort to support academics while stimulating the body and mind, the Take 10! program focuses on taking breaks to exercise during classroom lessons. K-5th grade teachers will run the program in rural areas of Falmouth in conjunction with support from medical professionals. The program will serve as a model for bordering rural counties. MARYLANDHealthy Kids, Healthy You: Promoting Healthy
Habits in Child Care
Child-care staff will receive training to produce a curriculum through the Healthy Kids, Healthy You: Promoting Healthy Habits in Child Care program. Children from ages 2 to 6 from four child care centers in rural Maryland will participate in physical activities and learn about nutrition to help them gain a more positive attitude about nutrition and exercise. MICHIGANHealthy U Nutrition Carnivals
The Healthy U Nutrition Carnivals program reaches up to 1,000 children from 6 to 12-years-old from the inner-city of Grand Rapids. The program provides free, interactive programming for young people and their families to come together through food taste tests and activities such as “Tae Bo Bingo” and “Yoga for Kids.” The program serves as a learning tool for inner-city families who often don’t have access to fitness and nutrition training. MINNESOTAGO THE EXTRA MILE- CLEVELAND
The Go the Extra Mile- Cleveland program in St. Paul, Minn., will introduce nutrition and fitness education to children from Cleveland Middle School, many of whom are recent immigrants from refugee camps in Thailand or who have fled their countries because of political unrest. The program will help them exercise more and introduce them to a variety of nutritious food choices. MISSISSIPPIGet Healthy NOW! My Life, My Health, My Choice
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, Inc. provides a program to address the fact that Mississippi ranks number one in the country for the number of overweight children. The program will work with up to 800 children from 3 to 5-years-old from rural areas to help their families learn how to exercise more and make healthy eating choices. Staff will provide children with take-home activities to reinforce lessons on fitness and nutrition. Trek Across America
Oxford Elementary School teachers, parents and administrative staff will teach seven to ten-yearolds how to make healthy food choices and increase fitness skills in the Trek Across America program. Every week, students will participate in activities that teach them about a new state and healthy foods that are native to that state. The program includes mentoring from local college athletes, field trip incentives and “Family Fitness Nights.” NEW MEXICOSandoval County Health Commons Family Support
Program
Abrazos Family Support Services provides a program designed to reinforce family ties and create stronger community bonding through learning about healthy lifestyles. The program focuses on hands-on activities such as cooking and community gardening for children up to 5-years-old and their families. NEW YORKHealthy Families, Healthy Kids Program
Reaching over 2,500 Head Start families and other medical patients in Brooklyn, the Healthy Families, Healthy Kids Program will help teach families about nutrition and fitness. Fitness classes, workshops taught by nutritionists and other family-oriented activities will be held in conjunction with the program. With a curriculum developed by medical professionals, the program will serve as a way for families to come together and learn about preventing the risks of future medical problems. Healthy Schools in Motion (HSM)
The New York and Presbyterian Hospitals Healthcare System plans to increase healthy eating and physical activity habits in students by engaging the entire school community at two East Harlem schools in nutrition and fitness education. The program will collaborate with numerous New York agencies and an elementary school to coordinate health-awareness campaigns that promote healthy choices such as participation in school breakfast programs. HSM will serve up to 800 inner-city children from ages five to ten. Jacobi Medical Center Family Weight Management
Program
The Jacobi Medical Center Family Weight Management Program provides fitness equipment for families to use who otherwise have limited access to gyms and physical fitness equipment. Program staff also offers weekly classes and demonstrations to build awareness of the risks of being overweight and the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Movimeinto y Alegria ~ Movement and Joy
The Movimeinto y Alegria ~ Movement and Joy program serves preschool children from Spanishspeaking farm families in rural Hyde Park. Program staff provides the children with culturally relevant education on nutrition. A newly installed bike path will also provide the children with opportunities to exercise and play in a safe and appropriate area. Project F.A.A.N. (Fostering Adolescent Activity
and Nutrition)
The YMCA’s Project F.A.A.N will work with students ages 5 to 14, many of whom are struggling with overeating. The goal is to have the majority of students leave the program with an increased willingness to exercise and to increase their knowledge about health problems that can arise from inadequate physical activity and a poor diet. Project F.A.A.N. will be partnering with the Dutchess County Medical Society and the Dutchess County Department of Health. NORTH CAROLINAFive a day, in every way! Under the Bladen Lakes Primary School Five a day, in every way! program, students will be required to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and do five laps around the school track each day. In addition, students will learn about making healthy snack choices and will increase strength and endurance through exercise. The program will focus on children from ages 4 to 11 from rural areas, but other community members will also be invited to take part in the program. Middle Fork Mariners Walking and Wellness Program
Middle Fork Elementary School has developed a program in which students from 5 to 12-yearsold can increase physical activities and healthy eating habits during their school day. Middle Fork is the only school in the state that will utilize the Chartwells Balanced Choices Nutritional and Educational Program to reinforce their own program curriculum. In addition to current access to jogging and nature trails, a Sports and Games Club will soon be incorporated into the program. OHIOHealthy Ohioans- Buckeye Best Healthy Schools
Supported by the Governor's Office, the Healthy Ohioans- Buckeye Best Healthy Schools program reaches up to 1,000 students ages 6 to 13 in rural Ohio. Students will learn about the importance of cardiovascular activities and making healthy food choices at school and home. The goal of the program is to improve nutrition and physical activity assessment scores. SMART! (Students Making A Realistic
Transformation)!
The SMART! (Students Making a Realistic Transformation)! program will help 6th through 8th grade students assess their current fitness and nutrition levels, and help them develop individual goals. Students will learn interesting facts about food and diet. In addition, a circuit- training method will be incorporated into physical activities. Students will be able to use the fitness equipment when they complete the program, which is designed to help create a preventative health culture within the school and community. OKLAHOMAIt’s All About Kids!
Developed by the Tulsa Public School system, this program focuses on preventing middle-school students from making poor health decisions. Students will meet for 45-minute sessions to discuss health issues and lifestyle choices. School staff will reinforce lessons taught in elementary school while incorporating more innovative and popular physical activities into the program. Assessments will be made upon completion of the program to determine if students made any progress in changing their nutrition and fitness habits. PENNSYLVANIAFitness for Life
Providing services to more than 1,300 children and families who suffer from mental illness, Glade Run Lutheran Services has developed a new program called Fitness for Life. This program helps children from ages 6 to 18 learn about nutrition, fitness and how to make other healthy life choices. Programs like Therapeutic Horticulture have been added to the curriculum to provide hands-on learning about healthy foods. A new fitness center for staff and students will be added to the program. Wellsville, Inc. The Wellsville, Inc. program works with up to 8,000 young people from ages 3 to 15, teaching them how to make healthy food choices based on information from the USDA Team Nutrition and the Dairy Council. Activities such as the Family Fit 'n Fun Club and Wellsville Workin' Out at the Park promote physical activity, help students develop life-long healthy habits and encourage families and the community to come together. SOUTH CAROLINAAnderson YMCA Afterschool & Day Camp Program
Anderson YMCA Afterschool & Day Camp Program serves 650 youth ages 5 to 14 in the Anderson area. The program is conducted by YMCA counselors and registered dieticians. Program staff meets with the students year-round through after-school and summer-day camp programs. Camp and field trips are offered to provide hands-on experience about nutrition and fitness. Students are evaluated through surveys testing their knowledge of healthy food choices and the importance of exercise as well as BMI and weight assessments. Kids in Motion
Children ages 8 to 12 are encouraged to participate in the Kids in Motion program, offered free of charge in the North Charleston area. This program provides organized fitness classes, talks and activities to help educate children about nutrition and about being fit for life. Kids in Motion began three years ago and now reaches nine schools and after-school programs in the area. Move More, Eat Smart
The Move More, Eat Smart program provides opportunities for elementary-school students to learn the importance of exercising outside of physical education classes. Trained by physical education teachers, school faculty will supervise and promote a walking program during recess. Newsletters will also be sent out to parents with recommendations for healthy food choices. In addition, the program includes a “Kids’ Kitchen,” which encourages parents to include their children in food preparation at home. TENNESSEECannon County CATCH (Children, Adults Together
Choose Health) The Cannon County CATCH program reaches up to 1,500 students ages 5 to 14 from rural areas. Managed by the school health coordinator, the program encourages students to make healthy choices when selecting meals and physical activities. Physical education teachers will evaluate students’ fitness skills and BMI levels. In addition, pre- and post-evaluations will be administered by teachers and volunteers. TEXASHealthy Change
This program through The Children’s Shelter in San Antonio will assist up to 1,400 mainly Spanish-speaking, inner-city youth in making healthy lifestyle choices. The program takes an innovative, holistic approach to assisting children ages 5 to 12 at the shelter. A local fitness facility as well as recreation therapy activities are available to the children. The program focuses on teaching children stress management, making healthy choices in food selection and consumption, and the importance of physical activity. Kids Café Five Minute Fitness
The South Plains Food Bank program reaches up to 1,000 young people from ages 5 to 17, many of whom struggle with weight problems. Kids Café Five Minute Fitness makes it easy for students to learn about nutrition and fitness. The program will offer fitness lessons, field trips to the South Plains Food Bank garden, yoga and weight-training lessons as well as sessions on nutrition. Community events, contests and family events will be held to help promote community support for the program. VIRGINIABe Healthy for Life
This program reaches 300, K-5th grade students at Charles City Elementary School. Be Healthy for Life will focus on teaching students how to make wise health decisions in order to prevent future health problems and increase cardiovascular endurance. The program will utilize the CATCH and Take 10 programs, implemented by physical education teachers and a registered dietician. Fitness activities will coincide with the school’s emphasis on dance and free movement. “I Am Moving, I Am Learning”
Selected by the federal government to pilot the “I Am Moving, I am Learning” program, the Community Improvement Council, Inc.- Head Start program serves over 200 inner-city children ages 3 to 5. This intergenerational program will provide classes and lessons for parents and children as well as hands-on activities such as gardening. Teachers and fitness professionals will serve as resources and instructors to the children. Progress will be evaluated through surveys determining health habits at home as well as observations in the classroom. WASHINGTONHip-2-Be-Fit
Offered as a diverse, after-school program at Oak Harbor Middle School, Hip-2-Be-Fit will provide students with opportunities for increased fitness and nutritional guidance. Innovative activities such as Pilates and kickboxing will be used to guide students down a path of lifelong wellness. The program is supported by Naval Air Station Whidbey and other community organizations. Youth & Teen Center Exercise Extreme
This YMCA program serves up to 300 children ages 6 to 15, in rural Wenatchee. Originally piloted in a local middle school, the program has been expanded to include students from the Youth & Teen Center. Through the program, participants will use the swimming pool, rock climbing wall, pedometers and cooking equipment. Students will be tested before and after the program to evaluate their awareness of and any changes in their nutrition and fitness habits. WISCONSINProject Grow!
Project Grow!, part of the Community Children’s Garden in the City program, serves up to 350 inner-city youth ages 8 to 11. Children will learn about and participate in gardening, food preparation and recreational walking. Program staff will incorporate nutrition and fitness lessons into nature-based activities for the children. The Friends of Troy Gardens, Inc. is composed of 31 acres of community gardens, an organic farm, a restored prairie and a children’s garden.
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