'UnitedHealth HEROES' grants now available to schools, youth-focused programs across Iowa

Young people throughout Iowa once again have the opportunity to become “Health Heroes” by learning about childhood obesity, designing programs to address it and implementing the programs in their communities.

Kicking off the fourth year, Youth Service America and UnitedHealthcare are calling all “Health Heroes” to apply for 2012 UnitedHealth HEROES grants.

UnitedHealth HEROES is a service-learning, health literacy initiative designed to encourage young people, working with educators and youth leaders, to create and implement local hands-on programs to fight childhood obesity. As childhood obesity rates are increasing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company, is offering UnitedHealth HEROES grants to schools and youth-focused, community center-based programs across the country.

Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to programs that demonstrate a clear understanding of the health risks associated with childhood obesity; propose creative solutions to fighting obesity in their schools and communities; and can be easily implemented, scaled and measured. In addition, each grant engages participating youth in service-learning, an effective teaching and learning strategy that supports student academic achievement, and helps students develop their workplace readiness skills.

To obtain an application, visit www.YSA.org/HEROES

The website contains additional information about the program as well as "First Responders: Youth Addressing Childhood Obesity Through Service-Leaning," a step-by-step manual that helps youth, parents, teachers and other volunteers deploy YSA service-learning models to fight childhood obesity in their communities.

Applications must be submitted online before midnight, Oct. 17, 2011. Grant recipients will be notified in December and January.

Last year, grants were awarded to four organizations in Iowa that developed programs to fight childhood obesity in their communities.

For example, Des Moines-based Community!Youth Concepts used its grant to support a youth project that taught nutrition, plant cultivation and healthy eating. Elementary, middle, high school, and college-age participants prepared and harvested local gardens for the planting season. Produce was donated to a local entity that coordinates fresh food distribution to 11 area food pantries.

“Childhood obesity is a serious health issue for young people, with more than 30 percent of our nation's youth now overweight. The exciting thing is that youth have an amazing power to influence peers and initiate positive change. That's why we are excited to offer these grants again this year,” said Kate Rubin, UnitedHealth Group vice president of social responsibility. “We look forward to seeing the creative ideas young people come up with to help fight obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles.”

UnitedHealth Group is partnering with Youth Service America (YSA) to launch the fourth year of the UnitedHealth HEROES program. Research by Denver-based RMC Research Corp. has shown that young people who participate in service-learning programs improve their academic performance and critical-thinking skills, increase their confidence and sense of potential, and accept leadership roles.

“Childhood obesity is a growing problem in America and links to long-term health issues, which can be alleviated by drawing awareness of and starting healthy habits at a young age, “ said Steve Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. “Youth Service America is proud to partner with UnitedHealthcare and mobilize children and youth to create, implement and solve childhood obesity.”

To date, UnitedHealthcare has awarded nearly 700 HEROES grants to schools and community organizations across the country. Earlier this year, more than 20,000 children and youth logged volunteer hours serving their communities to help reduce childhood obesity. A list of previous grant winners is available at www.ysa.org.