COORDINATORS Traverse Bay Area I.S.D. Tuscola LS.D. 1385 Cleaver Road Caro, Michigan 48723 Ellen Glaza (517) 673-2144 ext. 423 Tuscola I.S.D. (cont'd.) COUNTIES &IMPLEMENTING DISTRICTS Huron County Adams School (Siegel Twp. No. 3) Big Burning School (Colfax Twp. 1F) Church School District (Harbor Beach) Manistee County Bear Lake Schools Kaleva Norman Dickson Public Schools Manistee Public Schools *Manistee Area Catholic (Manistee) Onekama Consolidated Schools Mason County Freesoil Public Schools Mason County Central Schools Big Rapids Public Schools Missaukee County Falmouth Public Schools Pentwater Public Schools Osceola County Evart Public Schools Marion Public Schools Buckley Community Schools Sanilac County Brown City Schools Akron-Fairgrove Schools COORDINATORS Wayne County I.S.D. 33500 Van Bom Road Wayne, Michigan 48184 Adrea Kenyon-Unitis (313) 467-1609 COUNTIES &IMPLEMENTING DISTRICTS Wayne County Allen Park Public Schools Crestwood Schools Dearbor Public Schools Dearborn Heights School District #7 Inkster Public Schools Northville Public Schools May Health Be THE HARRISON COUNTY HEALTH EDUCATION With You!!! as a The Harrison County Health Education Enrichment Program began pilot project in 1987, as an effort to improve, through health education, the overall well-being of West Virginia children. A nationally-recognized curriculum, strong, grassroots and top-level administrative support, and concepts basis to healthy living are key components of the program. Since its inception, the program has grown from a trial basis in three schools to an integrated educational component for some 3,000 children in six schools. (Three additional schools will be added in the fall of 1991.) This approach to health education has and should continue to serve as a model for West Virginia schools. The impetus for this program is from the foresightedness and generosity of the C.E. Compton Family of Bridgeport, West Virginia. Monetary and technical support are provided through the C.E. Compton Chair of Nutrition Research at WVU. The program is a partnership effort between the Harrison County School Board, Grafton Coal Company, Salem-Teikyo University, and West Virginia University. School parent-teacher organizations, classroom teachers, local medical societies, private businesses and community volunteers help conduct program activities and give local support. Such a broad spectrum of resources and guidance from all facets of the community is an inherent program strength. The program is built on basic health education concepts. The curriculum and activities impart a sense of personal empowerment and ability to make a difference in one's life. Children become aware of personal choices and how choices impact their well-being. They also gain a sense of responsibility for their own health. Specific goals of the program are: to provide a comprehensive and sequential health education program to kindergarten through the sixth grade. emphasize a nutritious school lunch menu that is served in a climate that fosters good eating habits. to provide students with a basis for lifestyle habits for health-related physical fitness, stressing aerobic activities foster a more personal view of health through skill building, problemsolving, informed decision-making and an awareness of the responsibility for individual health. collect data on students' physical fitness, diets, attitudes, behaviors, and health knowledge. make health education a school-wide activity open to everyone develop a better understanding of the determinants of health-related behaviors in children and how to change them provide a health education program that will improve the self-esteem of students. The Know Your Body (KYB) Program developed by the American Health Foundation is the curriculum base for the Enrichment Program. KYB is a classroom based, health education approach designed to motivate children to adopt healthier lifestyles and to feel responsible for the care of their own bodies. It is directed towards altering health risk behaviors during the formative years of childhood. Health and lifestyle topics are taught within a frame work of a "wellness approach" that emphaizes the physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of children. The major topics include smoking, accident prevention, nutrition and exercise with applica The Enrichment Program also includes a unique screening component, the Positive Health Profile, which provides an educational opportunity for students to learn more about their health status. The screening includes measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and cholesterol. Results are mailed to parents and children receive a copy in a personal health booklet. Individual participation in program activities is encouraged and provides opportunities for personal growth. Tasting parties introduce students to new foods and offer choices for alternative snacks. Plays, writing and art contests, and musicals focusing on health-related topics enhance individual self-esteem and increase learning. Science projects and community health fairs bring health concepts out of the classroom and into the home and community. Program costs and administrative attention are most intense during the start-up phase. Text books, teaching materials, learning modules, health screening supplies, personnel, and evaluation materials are about $30 per child for the first year. Subsequent years cost $18-20 per child. A greater reliance on in-kind contributions, borrowed resources, personnel, and community ingenuity can reduce costs. volunteer Important information on the status of children's health has been collected through out the program. Data from the Positive Health Profiles indicates about 60% of children have cholesterol levels above the 1990 National Health Objective of 150 mg/dl. Heights and weights of children, when compared to the NHANES II sample, show Harrison County girls an average of 5% heavier and boys an average of 10% heavier than similar children nationwide. Questionnaires indicate children are knowledgeable about dental health and effects of cigarette smoke, but know less about nutrition, heart health, accidents and exercise. There is measurable success with this program. Participants have demonstrated gains in knowledge, personal behavior changes and a greater awareness of personal health status. School environments have also changed as a result of the program. Lunch menus have incorporated a greater variety of healthy foods and physical fitness classes have added more aerobic activities. On a broader scope, the program has provided insights for future program development and refinement. The Governor's Task Force on School Health has suggested using this program as a blueprint for other health education efforts. State awards include "Leaders of Learning Several awards highlight the program's success. the West Virginia State Department of Education's Outstanding General Education Award", August 1989, and the West Virginia State Health Education Council Health Advocacy Award, April 1990. Nationally, the effort has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "Secretary's Award for Excellence in Community Health Promotion", October 1990; the Centers for Disease Control with the "Program Evaluation Award in Community Health (PEACH)", April 1990; the American Medical Association's "Recognition of Excellence in Coordinated Comprehensive Health Education and Prevention Programs" award, May 1990; and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, "Recognition of the Fitness Fun Videotapes", March 1990. of success will be a healthier gen However, the greatest measure eration of West Virginia children. June 14, 1991 |