It's All About Kids
Helping School Children Make Healthy Choices
It's All About Kids is a prevention program for elementary school-aged children that encourages kids to make healthy choices and habits for a brighter future. Focusing on reducting obesity, improving school performance and decision-making skills, the program is modeled after the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Coordinated School Health Program and provides the following services:
- Health Education
- Physical Education
- Community Health Services
- Nutrition Education
- Social Services
- Oral Health Education
- Health Promotion for School Personnel
- Parent Involvement
Health Education
Better decision-making that leads to good health practices and improved school performance is the focus of our overall Health Education program. Our health educators facilitate community events and provide classroom instruction on topics like self-esteem, anger management, healthy relationships, life plans and conflict resolution.
Physical Education
Our Physical Education program strives to reduce childhood obesity and convert today's play into a lifetime of activity. All students are measured using a baseline body mass index (BMI) and for students who meet certain criteria, a personalized exercise program (PEP) is designed by a physical education specialist. Specialists also help families identify physical activity opportunities at home. A Registered Dietitian also consults with families in this personalized program and works with them to make healthier food choices and provides nutrition education.
Community Health Services
In addition to encouraging healthy choices, It's All About Kids also strives to improve access to necessary health services. To address each participating school community's health needs, a Nurse Case Manager provides such services as home visitation, health education, transportation assistance for appointments, prescription assistance and serves as a liaison for necessary community referrals.
Nutrition
It's All About Kids utilizes the heavily researched Coordinated Approach to Children's Health (CATCH) nutrition curriculum, designed to teach students to make smart food choices and to overcome barriers to healthy lifestyles. The six-week sessions are taught by Health Education Specialists.
Social Services
Ensuring that participating families' basic needs are met enhances the success of It's All About Kids. That's why our professional social workers provide case management, parent education, community resource links, home visitation, medical assistance and more. Basing these critical services out of the schools provides greater access for greater impact.
Oral Health Education
The oral health education component instructs school children about the causes of oral health disease and preventive measures. An interactive, two-day program ensures that participants can demonstrate proper brushing techniques and good oral hygiene.
Health Promotion for School Personnel
Each participating school helps promote a culture of wellness int he school by participating in a Model Fitness Program coordinated by staff that includes a walking program for employees, providing health education materials to staff and presenting health education topics as needed. School faculty are actively involved to serve as role models for students.
Parent Involvement
Parental involvement and participation is highly instrumental to the success of children's sustained health and wellness. Our Parent Involvement component of the program equips families with up-to-date information regarding nutrition, fitness, safety, illness prevention and other health topics. Our professional staff present fun, family-centered activities and events to encourage greater interest and awareness in these important topics.
Growing Strong
Since its beginning in 2004, It's All About Kids has helped thousands of school children improve their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward nutrition and exercise. Each year, the program reaches over 8,500 students in Tulsa, Union and Sand Springs public school districts, and hosts more than 40 informative and exciting events for parents and families. The program was recognized as a Model Practice in 2008 by the National Association for City and County Health Officials (NACCHO).
For more information on It's All About Kids, please contact Pam Rask, MPH, at 918-595-4418 or prask@tulsa-health.org.
Additional information promoting healthy lifestyles for children can be found at www.tulsaplay.org.