Julie M. Reynolds, BA, Shelby T. Gonzales, BA, and Meryl Rukenbrod, BS. Partnership for Healthier Kids, Inova Health System, 8003 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151, 703-321-1979, Julie.Reynolds@inova.com

Partnership for Healthier Kids (PHK), lead by Inova Health System and community partners, is designed to improve the health of children in Northern Virginia by implementing two school-based programs, an Access to Care program and a Prevention program. The Access to Care program strives to connect uninsured children to a source health care services. The Prevention program works with schools and community organizations to identify health needs and implement age-specific Prevention programs.

Since PHK piloted in three schools in 1997, program success has supported expansion to over 190 schools. Program accomplishments have lead PHK to become recognized nationally and locally as a model for connecting children to health care and prevention services. PHK has linked over 14,500 previously uninsured children to a source of ongoing healthcare and reached over 34,500 children, parents, and educators through preventive activities.

In 2003, PHK piloted physical activity and nutrition programs after a community needs assessment identified childhood obesity as a major concern. Together, the school system and the health system combined expertise and designed a program with nutrition and physical activity components geared towards helping children get active and make healthier food selections on a daily basis. After piloting several physical activity and nutrition programs, PHK identified the need to expand programs to include educator and parent components. This collaborative approach strives to encourage all individuals involved to make positive health changes together. PHK will begin piloting this expanded approach in 2003 would like to share lessons learned in this year’s APHA meeting.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Develop a community driven strategy to increase physical activity and improve nutritional choices.
• Identify key community stakeholders to collaborate in the implementation of school and community-based childhood obesity prevention programs.
• Define a process by which to develop culturally appropriate messages in the promotion of nutrition and physical activity.

Related Web page: www.inova.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.