EAT WELL PLAY HARD

Click here for a printer friendly version of this page


 

How Does It Work?

Eat Well Play Hard, part of a statewide initiative, will work with Clinton County schools, day care providers, the WIC program and other agencies to help assure healthier food choices and opportunities for physical activity for our children exist. 


The Goals

The Eat Well Play Hard’s goal is to prevent childhood overweight and reduce long term chronic disease risks through the promotion of physical activity and targeted dietary practices for children ages two and older.

Click here for some recent EWPH event pictures.


The Strategy

Our strategies will include increasing developmentally appropriate physical activity; increasing consumption of 1% of less milk and low fat dairy products; and increasing fruit and vegetable intake.


Our Partners

The Eat Well Play Hard partnership meets every other month at the Clinton County Health Department to discuss ways to make our community a healthier place for our children.  Our partners include:

AuSable Valley Central School
Beekmantown Central School
Behavioral Health Services North
Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country
City of Plattsburgh Recreation Department
Clinton County Health Department and WIC Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Eastern Adirondack Health Care Network
JCEO Headstart
New York State Department of Health
Northern Adirondack Central School
Plattsburgh City Schools
Peru Central School
Saranac Central School
Seton Academy
Town of Plattsburgh Recreation Department
YMCA
Youth Bureau


Mini Grants

EWPH awarded five mini grants for $2500 to increase one or more of the EWPH strategies.  The awardees were Peru School, Beekmantown School, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Plattsburgh School, and the Town of Plattsburgh Recreation.  Another five awards for $500 were provided to increase fresh fruits and vegetables for children.  The awardees for this were Seton Academy, Saranac School, Beekmantown School, Child Care Coordination Council of the North Country, and the Town of Plattsburgh Recreation.


 

Our Community Assessment Results

The first year of Eat Well Play Hard included conducting a Community Assessment.  This assessment allowed us to determine where our partnership should focus its efforts.  Clinton County EWPH teamed up with our partners and completed three surveys; an environmental opinion, community opinion and a parent’s community opinion survey.  The summary of the findings included:

1. Availability of healthier food items was seen as a potential for behavior changes.

 2. Incorporation of physical activity programs, especially at schools, may increase activity levels of community residents and their children.

 3. Local organized recreational opportunities are well planned but there is a need for more non-competitive activities.  Incorporation of nutrition would strengthen recreation programs.

 4. Student education was indicated as a possible vehicle for improved nutrition and physical activity. 

Our Plans for this Year

Eat Well Play Hard collaborated with after school programs, day care providers, and recreation departments during this coming year.  A CATCH Kids Club training was held at the Health Department (click for pictures of the training) and five after school sites in Clinton County attended the training so they can implement CATCH into their setting.  The CATCH Kids Club focuses on increasing non-competitive physical activity as well as nutrition education for children.  The program is a nationally recognized model for healthy living for children.

Another focus of Eat Well Play Hard will be the implementation of NAPSACC (nutrition and physical activity self assessment for child care) into day cares.  The EWPH coordinator will be attending a NAPSACC training this winter to help assist the day care providers with making their environment healthier for the children. 

The third main focus of EWPH this year will be to work closely with local recreation departments (click for pictures).  This will consist of piloting a kids cooking class as well as some new non-competitive recreation classes.  In addition, it is planned to provide training to area coaches about the importance of healthier snacks after games and practices.  This will include concession stand type venues for children’s activities.


Contact Us

This is a brand new program in Clinton County. Please check frequently for more developing information and activities. For further information on this program or other nutritional programs, call or visit us at:

 [Home]