Activ8Kids! - Associated Programs and Activities

Healthy Heart Program

The Healthy Heart Program (HHP) encourages policy and environmental changes that make it easier for people to eat well and be active to ultimately decrease rates of heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular risk factors. More than 1,000 organizations in communities, worksites, schools and health care are involved in wellness-related activities.

HHP programs include such activities as worksite wellness programs, projects to encourage individuals, families and schools to switch to 1% or skim milk, and helping communities develop and encourage the use of walking paths and trails.

To learn more about the Healthy Heart Program: http://www.nyhealth.gov/nysdoh/heart/healthy/program.htm

Eat Well Play Hard

The goal of Eat Well Play Hard (EWPH) is to prevent childhood overweight and reduce long term risks for chronic disease by encouraging healthy eating and increased physical activity. EWPH strategies and messages are incorporated into many Department of Health programs that target low-income families and their children ages 2 years and older.

EWPH core strategies include:

  • increasing age-appropriate physical activity
  • increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables
  • increasing intake of low fat (1%) or fat-free dairy foods

To learn more about Eat Well Play Hard: http://www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/nutrition/resources/eat_well_play_hard/

Steps to a HealthierNY

Steps to a HealthierNY is part of a national program developed by the Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlighting the influence of healthy lifestyles and behaviors on reaching and maintaining good health. In New York, four counties are the focus of Steps activities: Broome, Rockland, Jefferson and Chautauqua.

The Steps Program helps communities identify ways to reduce the problems related to 3 chronic diseases obesity, diabetes and asthma. Activities are community-focused and engage schools, businesses, faith-communities, health care purchasers, plans and providers, academic institutions and senior centers. Steps focus areas include:

  • Improving nutrition
  • Increasing physical activity
  • Reducing tobacco use.

Learn more about Steps to a HealthierNY: http://www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/healthy_lifestyles/steps/index.html

Child and Adult Care Food Program

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) improves the nutritional quality of meals and snacks served in participating child and adult daycare programs. It establishes minimum standards for meals and snacks served, provides reimbursement for qualifying meals and snacks, and mandates ongoing monitoring of food service programs and training of program staff.

CACFP is training staff in snack/supper programs for at-risk youth to promote nutrition and physical activity improvements. These programs serve more than 775,000 suppers and 495,000 snacks to an estimated 65,000 low-income children each month. The program will increase the availability of fruits and vegetables and increase physical activity opportunities for these individuals.

To learn more about CACFP: http://www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/nutrition/cacfp/index.htm

Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program

The Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) provides food to emergency feeding programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters. HPNAP also operates the "Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables" program that provides nutrition education for staff at food pantries and their food stamp eligible recipients.

To learn more about "Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables": http://www.jsyfruitveggies.org/index.cfm

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is available to women, infants and children up to the age of five years. All applicants must be income eligible and have a medical or nutritional risk. WIC encourages healthy eating and age-appropriate physical activity for all participants.

To learn more about WIC: http://www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/index.htm

Office of Minority Health Minigrant Program

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) minigrant program supports small-scale, short-term, well-defined, neighborhood specific projects designed to address health disparities. Recent projects have specifically focused on addressing overweight and obesity.

To learn more about the OMH Minigrant Program: http://www.nyhealth.gov/omh/index.htm