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Small Grant Program for Schools Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

Posted September 11th, 2011

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health has a small grant program for schools interested in promoting health eating and physical activity.  To be eligible, 80% or more of students must qualify for federal food programs. Grant funds are to be used to help schools meet the requirements of the HealthierUS School Challenge, the USDA's recognition program. Five grants of $5,000 each will be awarded. Awardees must agree to participate in an ongoing learning environment.

Applications are due Thursday, October 13, 2011, 5:00 p.m. E.S.T. 

Getting started with MyPlate; the government's new primary food group symbol

Posted September 11th, 2011

Did you know the MyPlate icon has replaced MyPyramid image as the government's primary food group symbol? MyPlate is an easy to understand visual which shows how to build a healthy meal…including tips on balancing calories and what foods to increase and foods to decrease.

Information from USDA Center for Nutrition and Policy and Promotion:
 

School Garden Project - Apply Today!

Posted September 11th, 2011

Grants of $2,000, along with curriculum resources and mentorship, to 1000 thousand schools to launch or expand school garden projects. Priority will be given to limited-resource communities.

Application Deadline: Dec 31, 2011

Grant App:  http://www.gardengrantapplication.org/wkf-public/pages/home.faces

VIDEO Prescription for Play: how the simple act of allowing kids to play creates successful adults

Posted July 26th, 2011

I think this is the best video I've ever seen on the importance of play. This YouTube video called Prescription for Play provides remarkable insight into how the simple act of allowing kids to play will create happy and successful adults. This video address critical issues facing children and families today -- rising levels of stress and anxiety, obesity-related health problems, dramatically reduced time for free play and play outdoors, hectic and overscheduled family life -- and offers solutions to addressing these problems.

Tips to Help Your Teen Understand the Serious Consequences of Sexting

Posted February 21st, 2011

There have been too many stories about normal, everyday teens whose lives have been changed forever by the click of a camera phone. Like the story of Jessica Logan from Cincinnati, Ohio who texted nude pictures of herself to a boyfriend. When the two broke up, the boyfriend texted the nude photos to girls at their high school. These girls harassed Jessica and called her a slut and a whore causing her to become depressed and afraid to go to school.

In May, 2008, Jessica told her story to the Today Show in an effort to “make sure no one else will have to go through this again.”  Two months later, at the age of 18, Jessica Logan killed herself in her bedroom.

Free Webinars for Sex Education Advisory Board Leaders

Posted February 7th, 2011

Download the attached .pdf to obtain all the information you need about the free webinars available to assist SEAB's (the School & Parent Co-Chairs), in understanding the role of SEAB and how to move forward collaboratively.  This is a great opportunity for school districts who want to start or resurrect their SEAB and to engage parents in a meaningful and productive way.

Advice to Parents: America's Adults and Teens Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy

Posted February 5th, 2011

With One Voice 2010: America's Adults and Teens Sound Off About Teen Pregnancy

One Voice 2010

With One Voice 2010 - a nationally-representative survey of adults and teens - offers interesting insights about teen sex and pregnancy, factors that might influence teens, decisions about sex, and advice to parents, program leaders, and policymakers.

Funding Opportunity for Michigan Parent Groups to do Work in the Area of Underage Drinking Prevention

Posted January 25th, 2011

Apply today. Prevention Network has substance abuse prevention grants available up to $1500.  These grants are available to any volunteer community group in Michigan working on substance abuse prevention within their community.  Please see the attached application for more information on the types of projects and costs this grant can support. 

The First Lady's "Let's Move" Nutrition and Physical Activity Toolkit for Parents

Posted January 22nd, 2011

I am so excited and proud to direct you to the First Lady's Let's Move website www.LetsMove.gov where you can benefit from all the great tools just released for parents.  You might recall that last March I was honored to be one of 10 people invited to Washington D.C.

Parents Matter: The Role of Parents in Teens' Decisions about Sex

Posted January 22nd, 2011

Positive parent-teen relationships, high parental awareness and monitoring of whom their children are with, and family dinner routines are all linked to delayed sex among teens, according to a new Child Trends research brief.  The brief, Parents Matter: The Role of Parents in Teens' Decisions about Sex, explores how parenting practices that occur before adolescents have had sexual intercourse are associated with the probability of first sex by age 16.