The Voinovich School is evaluating the implementation of the Healthy and Fit Initiative in thirteen Southeast Ohio school districts located in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry and Vinton counties.
The Healthy and Fit Initiative is commissioned by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville, to improve nutrition and promote exercise and healthy weight among students, staff and families in Southeast Ohio School District.
The immediate objectives of the initiative are to promote sustainable change through policy amendments and the institutionalization of a School Health Advisory Council; increase physical activity during and after school; and increase intake of nutritious foods while decreasing intake of high-calorie, low-value foods and beverages. Long-term objectives are to improve the health status of school-age children by reducing childhood obesity and improve the health status of families in the Southeast Ohio.
The Voinovich School is providing technical assistance around self-evaluation and will document the School Health Council activities and progress made toward healthier lifestyles within the schools. The School is working closely with each participating school district to develop and implement a self-evaluation plan specific to their identified goals in the grant. By assisting each district to develop a self-evaluation strategy, the Center intends to increase the capacity of the district to document their efforts and successes. Districts can then use their experience and expertise in self-evaluation in their ongoing efforts once the grant is ended. The skills also will be useful when these districts focus on future endeavors. Additionally, the School is conducting an evaluation framework to assess the overall initiative.