19 Jul 2015 Conway Regional Women's Council creates wellness grants for schools

The Conway Regional Women’s Council is seeking grant applications from Faulkner County schoolteachers to help finance child wellness and fitness initiatives.

The grant program stems from the council’s emphasis this year on childhood obesity awareness and prevention. “Childhood obesity is an epidemic with far-reaching consequences,” said Sonja Keith, program chairman. “We felt it was an important topic that deserved special attention.”

During a discussion last fall about 2015 events, the Program Committee decided to focus on childhood obesity awareness and prevention throughout the year.

The special childhood obesity emphasis was reflected in the State of Health Luncheon hosted by the women’s council in January.

The Program Committee also put together a panel discussion based on the HBO documentary “The Weight of the Nation” that was held in March.

Committee members want to encourage and support schoolteachers who develop creative and fun ways to promote healthy eating and fitness in local schools. The grant program will provide financial support while shining a light on these educational opportunities.

“Through the Teacher’s Grant, the Women’s Council is offering educators the opportunity to impact the lives of their students by offering programs specifically designed to promote physical activity, good nutrition and/or personal wellness,” said Jennifer Hill, president of the Women’s Council.

The maximum grant amount to be awarded is $500 per semester. The council has set aside $3,000 for the grant program.

The grant application deadline is Thursday, Oct 15. Those selected to receive a grant will be notified no later than Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Information about the grant program as well as suggested wellness and nutrition curriculum ideas will be distributed by the Women’s Council at the upcoming teacher fairs at Conway, Greenbrier and Vilonia.

For more information or to receive a grant packet, contact the Conway Regional Marketing and Foundation Office at 501.513.5771 or visit conwayregional.org/womenscouncil.

In addition, throughout the year the Program Committee will be exploring ways to further the childhood obesity message through other events and activities sponsored by Conway Regional Health System and the women’s council, including Safety Town and Dazzle Daze.

Fighting childhood obesity

The Conway Regional Women’s Council is working to encourage healthy eating and fitness habits among people as part of its childhood obesity initiative.

Among its efforts, the Council is partnering with the Conway office of ChildCare Aware to provide curriculum to daycare centers and preschools in Faulkner County.

Child Care Aware of Northcentral Arkansas is a community, child care resource and referral program that provides services in 14 Northcentral Arkansas counties. The program helps parents locate child care through a database of licensed and registered facilities based upon that family’s needs, all free of charge.

The committee met with Carol Crockett at the Conway office of ChildCare Aware and identified a need for nutrition and fitness curriculum to be made available to daycare and preschools in Faulkner County. The council purchased the materials and assembled them into kits in June.

An open house is planned in August at the ChildCare Aware office to introduce the materials.

For more information on ChildCare Aware and the services it provides, email [email protected] or visit ccana.org.