June 20, 2016

Elementary schools awarded Building Healthy Communities grant to promote healthy eating, physical activity

More than 11,000 students in 16 Michigan counties will benefit from a healthy school transformation that seeks to make the healthy choice the easy choice

More than 11,000 students in 16 Michigan counties will benefit from a healthy school transformation that seeks to make the healthy choice the easy choice for students. The Building Healthy Communities Program is built on a comprehensive school health philosophy under which healthy eating and physical activity opportunities are embedded throughout the school environment. Thirty elementary schools from across the state of Michigan were selected from a pool of 95 applicants to participate in the Building Healthy Communities program for the 2016-2017 school year.

In its ninth year running, this evidence-based grant program will provide the tools that students, teachers and administrators need to change the school environment through healthy living activities and education.

Schools participating in the program will receive resources and training which focus on six different components to promote health and wellness throughout the school day including: principal engagement, classroom education on healthy eating and physical activity, quality physical education, active recess, student leadership, and a healthy kids club.

Specifically, schools receive a transformational package valued at $15,000 including: a classroom curriculum, physical education and versatile recess equipment, funding for a before- or after-school exercise club, in-school mentoring from a Healthy School Coordinator and multiple professional development opportunities and trainings.

The program is a capacity-building grant that seeks to empower and train leaders of the school to sustain long-term healthy changes that will benefit the learning environment for years to come.

With an ongoing devotion to fighting childhood obesity and promoting lifelong healthy habits in Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Fitness Foundation, United Dairy Industry of Michigan and the Center for School Health at Wayne State University continue to work together in partnership through the Building Healthy Communities Program.  

The Center for School Health, in the College of Education at Wayne State University, conducts community engaged research to transform physical activity and healthy eating in schools and community organizations to improve the health of young people and their families.  

Subscribe to Today@Wayne

Direct to your inbox twice a week