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8) Promoting a Alcohol/Drug-Free Lifestyle

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8) Promoting a Alcohol/Drug-Free Lifestyle

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This organization provides information regarding youth living a drug and alcohol free life. There are many resources and programs that anyone can access. The organization wants to promote a healthy life and environment.

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Youth Leadership and Empowerment

The YAAC was formed by CADY as a vehicle to give youth of the Pemi-Baker and Newfound regions a means of taking positive action to impact their environments and being part of the solution to problems relating to substance abuse.

The YAAC utilizes the Youth to Youth Empowerment Model which includes three core steps:

1. Education/Information: Youth leaders are provided with the background information needed to develop and understand pertinent issues. This provides the inspiration to act.

2. Skill: Youth are provided with the skills needed to take action and cause change. This includes skill sets such as working effectively with media tools, providing a youth voice in the development of local prevention initiatives, and how to speak so people will listen.

3. Action: Youth are provided the opportunity to use their leadership skills in the real world. They are given the chance to mentor younger students, produce videos and PSAs for YouTube and local Cable Access TV, and particpate in local and statewide advocacy projects.

The opportunity to take action and effect change is where the empowerment process is completed!
CADY YAAC Project Outcomes
Tomorrow's Leaders - Leading Today!

This opportunity was a weekend event sponsered by Breathe NH. The Launch youth traveled to Nashua, NH in November 2009, to partake in a state wide NH Youth Network Summit. They learned about advocacy, and leadership skills.

NH Youth-In-Action Award

" The New Future's Youth in Action Award acknowledges the important role youth play in reducing and preventing alcohol and other drug problems in New Hampshire. The CADY Youth Advisory and Advocacy Council did an amazing job testifying before the Senate Finance Committee this past session on the importance of funding youth prevention programs. The group worked hard on a well thought out presentation and stayed on message-even when thrown a curve ball related to marijuana-which they answered with incredible aplomb. CADY youth carry the message of what it is like to be a kid today. Working with The Partnership for a Drug-Free NH, they share the #pledge2talk campaign with adults in their community and beyond. CADY educates community members about the impact of marijuana use on youth. The YAACs have also been active on the local level, helping folks in their town navigate what a medical marijuana dispensary could mean for increased youth access to marijuana. We are grateful for all of your outstanding work and are very pleased to honor you." ~Linda Saunders Paquette, New Futures Executive Director

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Youth Advisory & Advocacy Council (YAAC)

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The YAAC was formed by CADY as a vehicle to give youth of the Pemi-Baker and Newfound regions a means of taking positive action to impact their environments and being part of the solution to problems relating to substance abuse.

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Being as though tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable deaths, schools are developing programs and guidelines to help prevent young children from using tobacco.

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This document discusses how acclimating to a new environment affected many children and young people and overall had a negative affect on their mental and emotional health.

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Setting a good example for children on how to lead a healthy lifestyle is important for their wellbeing. As adults, our actions influence children, so we should promote cleanliness and the importance of health.

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It's flu season, which means that classrooms around the country are stocked full of tissues and hand sanitizer. Teachers are on the lookout for any cough or sneeze - the first sign of the flu.

As a teacher, you're (hopefully) diligent in helping your students stay healthy during this beast of a flu season. But promoting good health extends further than just preventing sickness. Students' overall health and wellness affect everything from their academic performance to success later in life. Even if you're not your school's physical education teacher, there is still a lot you can do to make sure your students live healthy lives.

In this article, we'll review some best practices that you can use to promote physical health and wellness before diving into some ways that you can help your students stay healthy before, during, and after flu season.
Set a Good Example

Encourage hand washing.

Encourage students to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze (and make sure you lead by example)

Have plenty of tissues and hand sanitizer.

Recognize the first signs of sickness so that you can send home affected students.

So beyond the no-nonsense tidbits on setting a good example, how can you encourage your students to adopt healthy habits? Tissues, hand washing, and sanitizer are only half the battle. You students' overall health determines how often and how severe they will experience colds and the flu. Also, students who lack access to healthcare professionals are at a greater risk this time of year. In the following sections, review expert advice on how to promote health and wellness throughout the school year.
The CDC
The Centers for Disease Control has plenty of advice on how to promote student health. Here are some highlights:

Don't reward students with junk food.

Let student have water bottles. Hydration is key to staying well. (And encourage students to use reusable bottles to cut down on waste .)

Use movement as a learning tool. Exercise and fun are both great for immune system function. And after all, some of your students are kinesthetic learners --it may be great for learning too.

Explore the CDC website to learn more about best practices. Also, the CDC has links to many additional resources, so be sure to check it out!
Healthy Schools Campaign
The Healthy Schools Campaign has many ideas for teachers committed to improving their students' health. Here you can find the following (and more!):

Advice for teachers: The hurdles some students face when looking for health services outside of school can be frustratingly complex. If you want to help these students, start here to learn what you can do.

Lists of local events: In March, for example, the Healthy Schools Campaign will host a cooking challenge in Dallas where students will face off in creating healthy dishes. Check the site to see what's going on in your area!

Although many of the ideas presented by the Healthy Foods Campaign promote school and district-wide initiatives, you can easily cherry pick ideas to use in your classroom.
Action for Healthy Kids
Since 2002, Action for Healthy Kids has worked diligently to battle childhood obesity through promoting physical activity and responsible food choices. On this site you will find:

Tools for Schools: A list of activities and ideas all teachers can use

Events: National events that teachers may attend. Action for Healthy Kids awards grants to cover teachers' travel expenses.

In Your State: Links to local trainings and conferences.

The organization also has many volunteer opportunities in which interest teachers may participate. In summary, Action for Healthy Kids is a great organization for teachers who are fed up by unhealthy food choices in their schools' vending machines and lunchrooms.
Final Thoughts
The three organization we've discussed in this article are only the tip of the iceberg. Even when flu season has tapered off, I encourage you to continue researching best practices: healthy habits that your students will practice for the rest of their lives.
Read more:

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Promoting Students' Physical Health and Wellness

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As a teacher, you're (hopefully) diligent in helping your students stay healthy during this beast of a flu season. But promoting good health extends further than just preventing sickness. Students' overall health and wellness affect everything from their academic performance to success later in life.

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The most effective way we can encourage children to promote safety and prevent injury is by providing in depth health education. Children are more vulnerable to such matters if they are not educated about them.

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Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs for Schools and Communities

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Healthy People 2020 includes an objective to increase the proportion of elementary, middle, and senior high schools that provide comprehensive school ...

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There are many different ways that children can participate in physical activity, like sports. Physical activity has many health benefits like stress reduction, maintaining a healthy weight, and improving cardiovascular endurance.

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Promoting Physical Activity as a Way of Life

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As a parent, you need to encourage healthy habits—including exercise—in your youngsters. Physical activity should become as routine a part of their lives as eating and sleeping.

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This source discusses some recommendations in which schools should use to prevent violence and injury. The recommendations have been developed through extensive research and theories.

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School Health Guidelines to Prevent Unintentional Injuries and Violence

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This report summarizes school health recommendations for preventing unintentional injury, violence, and suicide among young persons. These guidelines were developed by CDC in collaboration with specialists from universities and from national, federal, state, local, and voluntary agencies and organizations.

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Much like any form of child development, children learn through the world around them, from those in their life, and their experiences. Learning to eat healthy is no different!

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Kids eat what is available and what they see adults eating. Surround your kids with healthy options at home and demonstrate good nutrition to encourage a lifetime of healthy eating. Healthy eating habits formed during childhood lead to a healthy life.

Kids need different amounts of foods at different ages, genders and activity levels. Proper nutrition is key.

Parents can teach their children good eating habits by being positive role models in their own choices and by explaining to their children the importance of a balanced diet and how to choose healthy options from each food group. Learn about your child's nutrition requirements.

Improve Your Family's Nutrition Habits

Involve your Kids in Food Choices

Include your kids when planning the weekly family menu.

Look at your school's website together to see what is being served, and decide if you will make breakfast and lunch at home or buy it at school.

Shop for groceries together. Make a list before you go to the store and only buy foods on the list. Once in the store, let your kids help you find items on the list. Read food labels out loud and talk about the choices you are making.

Invite your child to cook with you. They are more likely to try new foods if they've helped to prepare them.

Hold family tastings. Buy different brands of a healthy food (whole grain pasta, for example) and let family members decide what they like best.

Snack Healthy

Healthy snack ideas include:

Fruits (sliced or cubed, applesauce or dried fruit without added sugar)

Vegetables and dips (try carrots and ranch dressing, celery sticks and peanut butter, snap peas with hummus)

Whole grains (pitas, tortillas, rice cakes, popcorn, granola)

Low-fat dairy foods (yogurt)

Nuts and trail mix

Give your child a variety of healthy options, so there is no wrong choice.

Reduce Sugar

Offer water, low-fat milk or 100% fruit juice instead of juice drinks, sports drinks or soda.

Do not give sweets or candy as a reward. Try nonfood rewards or family activities instead.

Watch Your Own Habits

Never skip meals, especially breakfast.

Avoid fast-food restaurants by planning meals and snacks in advance, before leaving home.

Eat only when you are hungry. Teach (and show) healthy alternatives to eating when bored, frustrated, anxious or sad. (Exercise, reading and working on a project are good options.)

Enjoy family meals together whenever possible.

Learn more

USDA ChooseMyPlate.gov: Provides practical information to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutrition education, and other user-friendly nutrition information.

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Surround your kids with healthy options at home and demonstrate good nutrition to encourage healthy eating. Healthy eating habits formed during childhood lead to a healthy life. Kids need different amounts of foods at different ages, genders and activity levels. Proper nutrition is key.