Blog

  Tell Senator Schumer to Protect Summer Meals School is almost out, and summer is just around the corner. Unfortunately for families across the city access to summer meals is becoming much more burdensome. That’s why we need you to reach out to Senator Schumer to demand they ex...

                            Racism is a public health crisis. At Healthi Kids we have known this for over a decade. Black and Latino families in the City of Rochester experience worse health outcomes than people in the sur...

Everyone does something well. It's important to recognize kids when they make an attempt at accomplishing goals. It's also important to acknowledge kids when they excel at their goals. Whether at home, in school, or at the local R-center, when adults recognize kids for their effort and a...

  Thursday, March 10, 2022   With COVID-19 vaccine rates among children remaining extremely low, county public health directors in the Finger Lakes region today further urged parents to get their children vaccinated. The public health directors highlighted the current vaccina...

  Are you trying to incorporate healthy bedtime habits into family routines? Is this a struggle you never thought you had to deal with? Fortunately, there are many options for healthy, fun, and productive bedtime routines. Creating a healthy bedtime routine should include bedtime exercis...

Pediatricians reinforce COVID-19 guidance for kids returning to sports and physical activity Interim guidelines are designed to protect school children and teens from cardiac events   ROCHESTER, NY, January 14, 2022 - As cases of COVID-19 increase among local children, a regional task f...

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/20/2021                                          QUEENS, NY— State Senator Jessica Ramos (D,WF-SD13...

 November 22, 2021   ROCHESTER – The Planning Team for the Rochester Food Policy Council (FPC) is excited to announce the selection of its inaugural members. This diverse group of individuals will lead efforts to create a healthier and more equitable Rochester food system. T...

NATIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERT TO KICK OFF PLAYFUL LEARNING INITIATIVE FOR ROCHESTER YOUTH Healthi Kids’ Coalition Brings Together Community to Prioritize the Power of Play in the Rochester City School District   What: National early childhood expert Dr. Brian Wright kicks o...

B+Healthy Fresh Food Market continues to expand its presence of good health in the inner-city. Since 2018, the marketplace has provided healthy and flavorful food and beverage options to neighborhood residents. Owner Kaptah AmenRa Xi Amaru continues to work to expand the markets in Rochester. In...

  We're happy to share good news from New York State’s Office of Children’s and Family Services (OCFS)! Out of school time providers are finally going to get paid for work they already completed throughout the pandemic. Out of school time providers...

Did you know over 1 billion people across the world actively use TikTok every day? TikTok prompts social media users to lip sync and other entertaining, and educational videos. Chances are local youth and families who use the app are following local creative educator Chaz Bruce. Chaz has over 5 m...

  COVID-19 has changed so much in our community. We know all caregivers have been navigating challenges to keep their kids safe during the pandemic. We also know that many caregivers have had to find new and emergency forms of childcare for their babies, school-aged kids, and teens.&...

This blog was first published in June 2021 by Brookings Institute as part of their Placemaking Postcard Series and is authored by our Advocacy Manager Jenn Beideman Over the last year, the intersecting crises of COVID-19, economic insecurity, and systemic police bru...

New Funding! We’re thrilled to share that Healthi Kids has been awarded a 5 year grant through New York State called Creating Healthy Schools and Communities! This funding will let us continue to advance our work in building equitable communities and supporting healthy learning environ...

  This week, Healthi Kids staff submitted comments to the Rochester City School District (RCSD) Superintendent and School Board on where we believe stimulus dollars should be spent.  The Rochester City School District is currently seeking feedback to determine the best way to spe...

We did it! On May 11th, Rochester City Council voted to support the creation of a local Food Policy Council (FPC), making Rochester’s FPC one of the few in the country that is formally recognized and supported by legislation. As part of a long community engagement and planning process, Hea...

  Take the survey in English: student survey; parent/primary caregiver survey Take the survey in Spanish: student survey; parent/primary caregiver survey    CLICK ABOVE FOR ENGLISH VERSION                      CLIC...

(Wednesday, May 5, 2021) – Officials from the City of Rochester and the Healthi Kids Coalition were joined by teens and community members today to cut the ribbon on the newest addition to the City’s Play Walk sidewalk trail. “The Ripple” is an interactive attraction featuring...

  COVID-19 has changed so much in our community. We know all caregivers have been navigating challenges to keep their kids safe during the pandemic. We also know that many caregivers have had to find new and emergency forms of childcare for their babies, school-aged kids, and teens.&...

Last week we posted some information about Federal nutrition guidelines and the Smart Snack standards. School meals are governed by Federal, State, and local regulations. They are part of an economic system and food system that is not designed to provide kids with fresh food. School food service ope...

We know. School meals should be better.  Our first campaign 13 years ago was called "Lunch is Gross” – where RCSD students in a 4th grade classroom headed to the School Board and demanded changes. Those kids were successful. They solidified better food standards before the fede...

Over the last year, we have faced several crises due to COVID-19, and the ongoing and systemic acts of police brutality on Black and Brown residents in our community. The current reality for families in our community has changed dramatically from loss of jobs and homes, to losing any semblance o...

The last several months have indeed brought countless challenges for us all. However, they have also opened the door for many new opportunities for Healthi Kids’ work. A light has been shed on the importance of, and need for whole child health in our community, and our team has certainly b...

Did you know that fresh air is healthy - even in the winter? Outdoor play in the colder months is fun, benefits the social-emotional and physical development in kids, boosts the immune system and promotes wellness overall.  #PLAYROCSATHOME was introduced last May to remind families about...

COVID-19 has changed so much in our community. We know all caregivers have been navigating challenges to keep their kids safe during the pandemic. We also know that many caregivers have had to find new and emergency forms of childcare for their babies, school-aged kids, and teens. Community...

This summer, Common Ground Health, Foodlink, and the City of Rochester, received a two-year grant from the Healthiest Cities and Counties Challenge (HCCC). These funds will be used for community outreach and planning for a Rochester Food Policy Council. In August 2020, the partners joined with r...

Common Ground Health, Foodlink and the City of Rochester have been selected to receive a $100,000 grant as part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge. Common Ground Health’s Healthi Kids Initiative is working with Foodlink and the City of Rochester to implement the City...

ROCHESTER – As the COVID-19 public health crisis continues to limit food access and keeps children away from their traditional summer programs, the Summer Meals Partnership of Rochester is taking a new and innovative approach to ensure that all children 18 and younger have access to nutrit...

Common Ground Health, the African American and Latino health coalitions and the Healthi Kids Coalition stand with Black residents and other partners in acknowledging that racism is a public health crisis. We are heartbroken by recent examples of police brutality and high COVID-19 deaths among Bl...