Coordinated School Health
Interview with Phyllis J. Wood, CATCH Director Egyptian Public and Mental Health Department Ridgway, IL
What prompted you to be an advocate and champion of children’s health? At Egyptian Health Department, our slogan is “Health is our Middle Name” and our mission statement declares that we are “dedicated to providing human services that support and enhance the lives” of the residents of our Southeastern Illinois area. As a mother of four and a grandmother of two, I realized CATCH would be an invaluable program which would allow EHD to work in collaboration with our area schools to teach our children (and their families) the kinds of healthy habits that would continue with them throughout their lives. When did you adopt the CATCH Program and what...
Read MoreCATCH Referenced in the Leadership for Healthy Communities Action Strategies Toolkit
CATCH has been referenced in the Leadership for Healthy Communities Action Strategies Toolkit. Kathryn Bertram, Communications Director for the Leadership for Healthy Communities describes the goals of the program and toolkit: “Leadership for Healthy Communities, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, works to support local and state leaders nationwide in their efforts to promote healthy, active communities and access to affordable, healthy foods. Working in close collaboration with 11 influential policy-maker organizations, Leadership for Healthy Communities developed the toolkit to equip state, municipal, county and school leaders with promising...
Read MoreInterview with Gary Lane Physical Education Specialist
River Oaks Elementary Austin, Texas What prompted you to be an advocate and champion of children’s health? My dad was the greatest advocate for exercise and activity that I ever knew. He would tell me stories of how after dinner, he would go out to the vacant lot next door and run laps to stay in shape. Both my grandfather and father played baseball for minor league teams and taught me the importance of learning the fundamentals of technique to improve skills so I would enjoy playing recreational and competitive sports for a lifetime. I also had a neighbor, Terry, who was four years older than I and a diabetic. Terry was a superior athlete and could not play on school...
Read MoreCATCH is Included in Resource Database for “The Healthy Schools Program”
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has approved CATCH Go for Health for the classroom, CATCH PE physical education program and the CATCH Kids Club after-school program to be included in the resource database used by schools enrolled in their “Healthy Schools Program.” The Alliance is a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. Along with their co-leader Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, their goal is to reduce the nationwide prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015 and to empower kids to make healthy lifestyle choices. Over 4,000 schools are currently enrolled in the Alliance’s...
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