HWS Monthly FYI -- June 2014

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HWS Monthly FYI

Ohio PTA Health, Welfare, and Safety Committee June 2014 HWS@ohiopta.org

Free Webinar! on Friday, June 20, 10-11:30 am, EST Register at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8767700691531937026 To paraphrase a popular insurance company, “Like a good neighbor, the playground is there!” Swap out “playground” with “running track”, “ball field”, “gymnasium” or “open space”, and you have the essence of how shared use policy can influence recreational opportunities in Ohio communities.

Shared use, also called joint use or community use, refers to two or more entities (a school, city and/or private organization) sharing indoor or outdoor spaces for recreational activity. Shared use policy can greatly benefit a community, school and neighborhood by providing safe, convenient and familiar places for residents to be active.

Register today for the first in a series of shared use webinars, hosted by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership/Ohio Safe Routes Network, American Heart Association-Ohio and Buckeye Healthy Schools Alliance, with funding from County Health Rankings and Roadmaps!

At this webinar, you will learn:

How shared use affects community health, connectivity, and physical activity opportunities;

How policies and agreements provide access and can help overcome barriers; and

What resources are available to facilitate shared use agreements in your community.

Learn the ins-and-outs of shared use, and connect with others that are working towards making shared use a win-win for communities, schools, local government and more!

Source: Safe Routes to School National Partnership

National ASK DAY is June 21st

In America, one out of three homes with children has a gun, and nearly 1.7 million children live in a home with a loaded, unlocked gun. Every year thousands of kids are killed and injured as a result. The ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Campaign promotes a simple idea with the potential to help keep kids safe. It encourages parents to ASK if there is an unlocked gun in the homes where their children play. Parents ask all sorts of questions before their children visit other homes. They ask about pets in the house, discuss allergies and Internet access, and ask questions about supervision. ASK encourages parents to add one more question to this conversation: “Is there an unlocked gun in your house?” It’s a simple question, but it has the power to save a child’s life. Every parent cares about the safety of their children. ASK allows parents to play an active role in keeping kids safe. Any parent can make a difference by ASKing, and encouraging others to do the same. Source: http://askingsaveskids.org/

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Healthy Lifestyles Energy Balance 101

Application Deadline: Friday, June 27

National PTA's Healthy Lifestyles Grants provide local PTAs with tools and resources to use in partnering with

schools to improve energy balance and provide families with nutrition and physical activity education. Energy

balance is simply finding a balance between the calories we consume through what we eat and drink and the

calories we burn through physical activity. Local PTAs can apply to one of the below Healthy Lifestyles Grants that

target families:

Pre-K: Smart from the Start

K-5th grade: Energy Balance 101

Goal

Local PTAs will:

Use either the Energy Balance Pre-K or Energy Balance Enrichment Zone (K-5th grade) curricula to

educate families on the importance of energy balance, good nutrition and physical activity in achieving an

active, healthy lifestyle;

Empower families to partner with schools to advocate for and support the implementation of healthy

changes around nutrition and physical activity, and;

Provide families with tools to create an environment at home that supports the positive changes at school.

Funding Available

National PTA will award Healthy Lifestyles Grants of $2,000 to 50 local PTAs for grades Pre-K to 5. Funding will be

distributed evenly between the two grants:

25 Pre-K: Smart from the Start

25 K-5th grade: Energy Balance 101

Grant Terms: Grant funding must be spent between June 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015.

How to Apply: Review the Request for Proposals for additional information about funding requirements,

selection criteria, eligibility, key dates and other specific application components. Once you have reviewed

the Request for Proposals, apply online. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 27 at 5:00pm EST.

http://www.pta.org/programs/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3655

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Know! To Help Them Stay Connected Students of all ages will be celebrating the close of the school year and the kickoff to summer. But as the novelty of summer break wears off, many youth may find themselves feeling isolated and alone, having lost the daily interactions and social connections that school provides. Such feelings can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors (including substance abuse) and increased adolescence risk for developing depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. According to research, low levels of social interaction not only puts a person’s mental health at risk, but takes a toll on their physical health as well. Researchers report a lack of social connection to be a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure. The fact is, people have a fundamental need to connect with other people. When that doesn’t happen, or when levels of social interaction are low, it impacts both the mind and body. Place your children at an advantage by working with them to create a summer plan to make, keep and strengthen their connections: Have them write out a short list of friends they would like to maintain or build a relationship with; ones who are positive and supportive. Ask them to commit to calling, texting or getting together with these friends throughout the summer, with the goal of at least one emotional connection a day (this does not include a social media tweet or post to the world in general – we’re talking “real” friend connections). This also does not mean bombarding the same person with calls and texts every day, unless it is a known mutual desire. Urge them to openly and honestly share what’s on their minds and be up front about what they are looking for when reaching out to a friend; maybe it’s a sympathetic ear, help solving a problem, a fresh perspective, a good laugh or just to chat. Remind them too that you are also always available to lend an ear, an open mind and a perspective that keeps their best interest at heart. Encourage them to show their sincere interest in their friends’ lives as well, which will also help to build and foster the relationship. Even simple things like them asking about their friend’s day or following up on a topic from a previous conversation can show they care. They should take caution on offering advice however, and only give it when they are sure it is being sought from them. Helping your children make social plans this summer will also aid in strengthening their connections. It could be as simple as volunteering to pick up one of their friends and heading to the pool, park or a movie, or even just allowing them to invite a friend over to the house to hang out (under adult supervision, of course). Regardless, having an activity they can look forward to together will benefit the friendship while boosting your child’s spirits and increasing their energy. Children should also be urged to take advantage of opportunities to meet new friends over the summer through various camps or sports clinics, at the library, the pool, wherever. Encourage them not to be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone new. Because the mind and body interact with and impact each other, it is important to take action to protect children’s mental health and promote overall whole health. Helping your child stay connected this summer will assist in doing just that. For more information, tips and resources on Minding Your Health, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may. Sources: Mental Health America: Social Support: Getting and Staying Connected. Psychology Today: Feeling It; Emotional expertise for happiness and success.

https://www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/know/parent-tips

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Adults need at least:

2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) every week and

muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

1 hour and 15 minutes (75

minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., jogging or

running) every week and

muscle-strengthening activities on

2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips,

back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).

For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html

How often do you eat out? Once a day? Once a week?

Rarely? Almost every meal? People who eat out more

often, particularly at fast food restaurants, are more

likely to be overweight or obese. However, you can still

manage your body weight when eating out by making

better choices.

To eat out without blowing your calorie budget, there are

three things to think about:

1. WHAT you are eating and drinking, 2. HOW MUCH you are eating and drinking, and 3. HOW your meal is prepared.

To learn how to manage each of these - click on "Get

Started."

Get Started Overcome Stumbling

Blocks

Source: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/weight-management-calories/weight-management/better-choices/eating-out.html

School Environmental Health

Documentary seeks to stop sex trafficking in Ohio

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ADD MORE VEGETABLES TO YOUR DAY

WhyHunger Ohio data base FREE FOOD 4 KIDS during summer months!

10 tips to help adults include physical activity into their lifestyle