August 2008

 

Project intent:  The purpose of ICAN in Montgomery County is to address obesity prevention by: 1) promoting and supporting the wellness policy and 2) increasing access to physical activity opportunities and healthy foods.

 

Target population:  Montgomery County R-II students, staff, and community members.

About our funder:  Established in 2000, Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) is the largest non-governmental funder of community health activities in the state.  It is dedicated to serving the uninsured and underserved in 84 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis.  MFH hopes that its Healthy and Active Communities initiative will help Missourians to live a healthier lifestyle. The two-year awards fund programs designed to address and prevent obesity in children and adults, at schools, homes and workplaces.

Project statistics: 

• Total ICAN! in Montgomery County award:  $295,051  No tax dollars are used to fund the ICAN Project.  This project requires no match from the Montgomery County R-II School District.

·        Time line:  December 1, 2006 – November 30, 2008

·        Project leader:  Holly Neske RN, hneske@mc-wildcats.org, 636-488-5923

• Collaborating Committee:  School Health Advisory Council/Wellness Committee

 

Strategies for reaching target population:  All strategies used this project are strongly recommended evidenced based interventions.  Interventions include:

1.      Creation and/or enhanced access to places for physical activity combined with informational outreach activities.  Activities include construction and renovation of safe and conveniently located walking trails, beyond the school day exercise program with worksite wellness components, field day and walk-a-thon events to be available in all school communities (Bellflower, Jonesburg, and Montgomery City).

2.      School-based physical education.  Activities include doubling of elementary PE instruction time and increasing of intensity levels in secondary PE classes.

3.      Community-wide campaign.  Activities include collaborative ICAN! events, promotions, organization presentations, and news releases designed to build school wellness policy support and continuance of added programs.

 

 

Activities:

·        Resurface and repair of existing walking trail located at Middle/High School Complex.  Completed June 2007

·        Construction of asphalted walking trails at each of the elementary school sites (BF, JB, and MCE).  Completed July 2007

·        Increase elementary physical education instruction time from 50 to 100 minutes per week by hiring an additional full-time PE instructor.  Ongoing.  Initiated Jan 2007

·        Add beyond-the-school-day exercise programs for one hour each school day for students, staff, and community.  Ongoing.  Initiated Jan 2007

·        Offer annual ICAN Field Days at each of the elementary sites.  Ongoing.  Initiated May 2007

·        Offer ICAN Walking Event at each site as trail construction is completed.  Ongoing.  Initiated August 2007

·        Encourage student physical activity during the school day through the use of Take 10! and Be Active curricula.  Initiated Aug 2007

·        Provide classroom presentations through University Extension on nutrition.  Ongoing.  Initiated April 2007

·        Collaborate with school food services to promote fruits and vegetables in school meals and al a carte line.  Initiated Jan 2007

·        Collect and evaluate data to monitor improvement in physical activity and healthy eating as a result of ICAN activities.  Ongoing.  Initiated Aug 2006

Outcomes of ICAN in Montgomery County:

1.      Improved physical activity levels in school-age children, school staff, and community members

o       Improved physical fitness level of students:

§         First grade- 71% demonstrate fitness improvement

§         Third grade- 68% demonstrate fitness improvement

§         Fifth grade- 82% demonstrate fitness improvement

§         Seventh grade- 43% demonstrate fitness improvement

o       Participation of students in beyond the school exercise program:

§         52% of elementary students participated in beyond the school day exercise program

§         32% of secondary students participated in ICAN program

o       Exercise among staff:

§         September 2006 staff reported exercising 17.2 minutes 2.1 times per week

§         April 2008 staff reports exercising 31 minutes 3.6 times per week

o       Fitness levels of staff and community participation in exercise programs

§         93% reported that their health was better because of the program and that they were physically stronger

o       Community participation in ICAN Projects

§         Over 224 parents and community members have participated in the following ICAN projects:  Back to School Walking Trail Events, Pee Wee Game Nights, Saturday Bike Event, ICAN Field Days, and Stay Strong Stay Healthy program.

 

2.      Improved nutrition of students

o       Improvements in nutrition knowledge demonstrated by pre and post-tests used in conjunction with nutrition program provided by University of Missouri Extension Center:

§         Kindergarteners-38% increased nutrition knowledge

§         First graders-20% increased nutrition knowledge

§         Second graders-50% increased nutrition knowledge

§         Third graders- 67% increased nutrition knowledge

§         Fourth graders- 82% increased nutrition knowledge

§         Fifth graders- 63% increased nutrition knowledge

§         Ninth graders- 41% increased nutrition knowledge

3.      Support and implementation of the District Wellness Policy

4.      Support for the continuation of additional elementary physical instruction time from the school district once MFH funding ends

Partnerships/Collaborations

·        Montgomery County Health Department, Audrain Medical Center, and York’s ATA present at ICAN field day and walking trail events

·        University of Missouri Extension Center offers nutrition presentations at PTO meetings, participation in ICAN events, classroom presentations, and assistance in developing a brochure to promote ICAN activities

·        Bellflower, Jonesburg and Montgomery City PTOs offer time at their meetings for wellness presentations, volunteers to assist with ICAN events and a volunteer to assist with beyond the school day activity if needed.

·        Missouri Conservation Department provides $1000 for the purchase of native trees and shrubs at Bellflower Elementary through their Outdoor Classroom Grant

 

Opportunity for Continued Funding

In June 2008 an application was submitted to the Missouri Foundation for Health for a Model Practice Building Grant.  This would allow the ICAN in Montgomery County Project to continue at the elementary level for three additional years.  The grant request total is for $337,490 with NO district match.  Notification of grant awards will come in September 2008.