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Unity Health - Unity Kids
Unity Kids is an ambassador program that allows third-grade students in local elementary schools to serve as examples for healthy living. Each week during the school year, a different student is selected to serve as the Unity Kid Ambassador for their class. During the week, ambassadors read a health tip card to their classmates. Near the end of the school year, the students write a one-page essay on how they can live healthy lives and internalize the healthy tips they learned throughout the school year. Health tips include topics such as stretching, practicing good posture, limiting screen time, boosting brainpower with reading, drinking water and getting enough sleep. Schools that participate in the program are then eligible to receive monetary grants that they can use toward acquiring health-related items for their schools, such as playground equipment or healthy snacks.
What is it?
Unity Kids is an ambassador program that allows third-grade students in local elementary schools to serve as examples for healthy living. Each week during the school year, a different student is selected to serve as the Unity Kid Ambassador for their class. During the week, ambassadors read a health tip card to their classmates. Near the end of the school year, the students write a one-page essay on how they can live healthy lives and internalize the healthy tips they learned throughout the school year. Health tips include topics such as stretching, practicing good posture, limiting screen time, boosting brainpower with reading, drinking water and getting enough sleep. Schools that participate in the program are then eligible to receive monetary grants that they can use toward acquiring health-related items for their schools, such as playground equipment or healthy snacks.
Who is it for?
Third-grade students in local public and private schools.
Why do they do it?
Arkansas has one of the highest obesity rates in the country. Often, weight problems begin developing during childhood. The purpose of the program is to teach children at a young age to take charge of their health to mature into healthy adults.
Impact
Nearly 400 third-grade students and four schools have participated in the program since its implementation in September 2015.
Contact: Brooke Pryor
Director of Marketing
Telephone: 501-278-3230
Email: bpryor@wcmc.org
Related Resources
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AHA Center for Health Innovation Market Scan
AHA Center for Health Innovation Market Scan
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