Wellmark Foundation grant to Iowa Department of Education fosters improved student health

The Iowa Department of Education is using a $140,400 grant from The Wellmark Foundation to assist in the implementation of Iowa's Healthy Kids Act.

The Healthy Kids Act (HKA), which went into effect July 1, 2009, fosters healthier nutrition and physical activity environments and habits. The legislation helps to address obesity among Iowa's youth by providing physical activity and competitive foods (vending, a la carte and regulated fundraising) nutrition standards for schools.

With this grant assistance, the Iowa Department of Education has been conducting trainings and is providing additional resources for school and community officials responsible for implementing HKA nutrition standards. The Department of Education is guiding schools in examining their overall wellness policies, teaching school leaders, communities and parents about the importance of consistent messages regarding good nutrition.

“With the assistance of The Wellmark Foundation's grant, the Department of Education is facilitating optimal adoption of the Healthy Kids Act,” said Patti Delger, Team Nutrition Project Director with the Iowa Department of Education. “It's important that training and technical assistance resources be in place for local school districts and schools. This funding has allowed the Iowa Department of Education the ability to offer schools the training and tools needed to increase the ability of HKA to reach its potential at the local level.”

“We are pleased to support these efforts to implement the Healthy Kids Act,” said Matt McGarvey, director of The Wellmark Foundation. “The Department of Education is successfully offering tools schools can use to improve overall student wellness and enhance the nutritional environment in and around the school setting.”