Better Off: % of unduplicated families with increased knowledge of nutrition and how to prepare nutritious meals when surveyed - Annual
Current Value
100.0%
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
ChesMRC data has stayed true to its program model introducing more students to healthy eating, gardening and nutrition education (each year as they move through the program (grades 1 – 5). Students develop more interest in trying new foods, parents are engaged in learning about how to cook certain vegetables, and overall there is more acceptance to learning about living healthier lifestyles.
Partners
Partners to the program include – Talbot County Public Schools – provided facility and resources to hold program and family events, YMCA – provide soccer enrichment for exercise and activities, Girl Scouts of America – provide trained leaders to assist in implementing healthy habits activities with their troop, Cub Scouts (same as GS), University of Maryland Extension – provide training of healthy habits curriculum, provides materials and food as needed for activities, provides professional development training for all leaders and teachers, Jowite Community Garden – provides the garden for students to learn in, 4-H provides supplies as needed, Sodexo provides each student a hot dinner every day of programming
What Works
ChesMRC is in a unique position of running an afterschool program where they are able to implement the Healthy Habits program as an enrichment class. This has proven successful in ensuring students are educated on nutrition and healthy eating habits throughout the school year and allows ChesMRC to also hold family events to engage parents as well. Having this program part of the afterschool program also ensures measures are met with # of lessons. While that target has been exceeded many years, virtual school for 2020-21 resulted in fewer lessons. Thanks to a willingness to adapt and think creatively, the ChesMRC team came up with a plan for delivering weekly care packs to the student households. This made it possible to continue the program and created more connection with families.
Action Plan
Data Discussion
The FY21 Healthy Habits program ran October through June 2021 with students participating for the full 9-month session. Surveys were completed at the end of the 2nd and 4th quarters. Data reported here is from the year end survey. The response at end of Q2 was 92% (36/39).