Dallas ISD middle school employees to get training in student wellness program

WHAT:

On Wednesday, more than 150 Dallas Independent School District  middle school employees will receive training in an innovative program designed to help students eat right, be active and learn healthy habits.  The program is called the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) and was designed in part by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). 

Workshop participants will learn about the program as well as learn interactive techniques to effectively implement the program in schools.

CATCH is already in place at Dallas ISD elementary and middle schools, but is receiving a large boost to support implementation throughout the district from a new $467,000 grant from the RGK Foundation. CATCH is administered by the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living located at The University of Texas School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus, which is part of UTHealth.

WHEN:

4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

WHERE:

Nolan Estes Plaza Educational Center,  3313 S. Beckley Ave, Building D, Dallas, TX 75224

WHO:

Barbara Johnson, Dallas ISD Health and Physical Education Department Director

Karen Burnell, Dallas ISD Coordinated School Health Specialist

Megan Conklin, CATCH Associate Director with the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living

WHY:

Texas has the seventh highest childhood obesity rate in the country. The CATCH program is addressing this problem and has been adopted by more than 8,500 schools in Texas and abroad, making it the largest coordinated school health program in the world. The program has been associated with a reduction in childhood obesity prevalence.

CONTACTS:

Jade Waddy, Media Relations Specialist, UTHealth, 713-500-3030

Libby Daniels, Media Specialist, Dallas ISD, 972-925-3900