FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 28, 2006

STATE GRANTS AWARDED TO FIT KIDS SCHOOLS IN WESTCHESTER

The Westchester County Department of Health is very pleased to announce that nine of the ten schools recently chosen to receive New York State grants for the promotion of health among students are schools that have participated in the Westchester County Health Department’s Fit Kids program.

“Since the Fit Kids program was established by County Executive Andy Spano in 2003, it has been very successful. To date, 64 schools representing 30 school districts have participated in Fit Kids activities,” said Joshua Lipsman, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health for Westchester County. “We are delighted to see schools embracing Fit Kids and I congratulate the participating schools that have met the criteria for this New York State grants program.”

The grants, awarded by the Statewide Center for Healthy Schools and the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, are intended to encourage schools to promote healthy lifestyle choices among students.

Base grants up to $1,000 were given to schools that completed the School Health Index (SHI) developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The SHI is a self-assessment and planning guide that not only enables school staff to identify strengths and weaknesses in the school’s health promotion policies and practices, but also assists schools in plans to ensure a healthier school environment. Utilizing a standardized tool, such as the SHI, also promotes coordination of health policy development by involving school staff, parents and students.

Mini-grants up to $6,000 were given to three schools to facilitate initiatives that would both improve nutrition and increase physical activity among students through policy and environmental changes.

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Fit Kids schools that received mini-grants this year include:

· Briarcliff Manor Middle/High School

· Columbus Elementary School, Mt. Pleasant

· Anne M. Dorner Middle School, Ossining

Fit Kids schools that received base grants include:

· Todd Elementary School, Briarcliff Manor

· Springhurst Elementary School, Dobbs Ferry

· Brookside School, Ossining

· Clarement School, Ossining

· Park Early Childhood Center, Ossining

· Roosevelt School, Ossining

Examples of the many creative and exciting school activities inspired by the Fit Kids program can be found on the program’s website at www.westchestergov.com/health/FitKids.htm. A 48-page resource guide for schools is also available for download from that website.

“Many health problems are associated with overweight and obesity,” said Dr. Lipsman. “These include an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. We feel it is important to encourage healthy habits at a young age.”

For additional information, please call the Westchester County Health Department at (914) 813-5000 or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

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