A program that promotes healthy living for children will be set up at eight Buffalo Public Schools. WBFO's Eileen Buckley said it is the Coordinated Approach to Child Health known as CATCH.
"And this CATCH program is about increasing knowledge of nutrition and physical activity," said Assunta Ventresca, Director Health Related Services at the Buffalo School District.
An anonymous donor gave the United Way of Buffalo and Erie Countyfunding to set up the CATCH program.
CATCH works to reduce the high childhood obesity rates. It targets nutrition, physical activity and classroom environment. More than 10,000 schools and communities in the U.S. already use CATCH. Ventrusca said it's been successful.
"It's wonderful. It's evidence based, so they've got good success in different areas and it's been tested," noted Ventrusca.
Training was held last month for those who will pilot the program at eight city schools. "And train the trainers, so we will have trainers in our school district who will know this. They can train the teachers, so it's real exciting that we are going to get some health education," said Ventrusca.
Nine community members will teach the program to other school districts in Erie County. Coordination Kits are provided to schools and other child care programs to promote healthy decisions for students.
