Highmark Offers SPARK Training Sessions for After-School Providers and Community Organizations
Posted on: Wednesday, 12 April 2006, 15:00 CDT
PITTSBURGH, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Less than 25 percent of school-age children get even 20 minutes of rigorous daily physical activity, well below the minimum doctors prescribe. Thanks to a partnership with Highmark Inc., the Sports Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) program is offered throughout Pennsylvania and training sessions are now scheduled to expand the program further.
The SPARK program, developed in San Diego, CA, is designed for children between the ages of five and 14 to enhance their enjoyment of movement, as well as to instill a life-long love of active recreation. The structured 60- minute program promotes physical activity which is an important component in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and helping to prevent obesity.
One-day training sessions are available for community organizations and after-school providers across Pennsylvania. All of the following training sessions are from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and include curriculum-based lectures as well as hands-on, fitness-related activities. Training dates and locations include:
Date Address City Tuesday, April 25 John C. Diehl Elementary School, Erie 2327 Fairmont Parkway Wednesday, April 26 New Castle YMCA New Castle 20 W. Washington Street Wednesday, May 3 Greensburg YMCA Greensburg 101 S. Maple Avenue Thursday, May 11 Family YMCA of Easton Easton 1225 W. Lafayette Street Wednesday, May 24 Washington & Jefferson College Washington 60 S. Lincoln Street
To register for one of the SPARK training sessions, call toll-free, 1-800-652-9420. Or visit the Community link on http://www.highmark.com/ to download the training application form to e-mail, fax or mail back to Highmark. Additional training sessions will be scheduled for the fall.
Highmark has long been at the forefront of leading initiatives aimed at fighting obesity in children and adults. Beginning in 2002, Highmark provided funding that afforded the launch of Fun to Be Fit, a physical education curriculum developed and instituted within Pittsburgh Public Schools affecting over 22,000 children in grades K through 8. The program incorporates nutrition education each time students meet for phys-ed classes and relies on non- competitive, fun activities to engage students.
Since then, Highmark has provided funding for the KidShape program now available at 10 sites in Pennsylvania, and made $475,000 in grants to help schools develop activities and programs to prevent childhood obesity.
In addition, Highmark and area physician leaders created a tool kit to assist doctors in talking to children and parents about obesity and weight- related issues. Most recently, Highmark launched the Highmark Health eTools for Schools Web-based, demonstration project designed to monitor student Body Mass Index (BMI) and improve school nutrition and physical activity programs.
About Highmark Inc.
As one of the leading health insurers in Pennsylvania, Highmark Inc.'s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives. Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark serves 4.6 million people through the company's health care benefits business. Highmark contributes millions of dollars to help keep quality health care programs affordable and to support community-based programs that work to improve people's health. The company provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health.
Highmark Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information, visit http://www.highmark.com/.
Highmark Inc.
CONTACT: Kimberly Scanish, +1-717-302-4244, orkimberly.scanish@highmark.com, or Kristin Ioannou, +1-412-544-7643, orkristin.ioannou@highmark.com, both of Highmark Inc.
Web site: http://www.highmark.com/
Source: PRNewswire
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