Action Alert: Tell Senator Schumer to Protect Summer Meals
Published May 17, 2022 103 Views
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...
Why did Healthi Kids conduct a Racial Equity Impact Analysis of our Advocacy Agenda?
Published May 17, 2022 49 Views
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...
Recognizing ROC Kids and Teens | Kid-History Spotlight
Published April 4, 2022 459 Views
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...
More Children Need to Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19
Published March 10, 2022 291 Views
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...
Let's Develop Healthy Bedtime Routines!
Published January 20, 2022 634 Views
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...
Returning to Play After a COVID-19 Infection | Guidance for Families
Published January 14, 2022 422 Views
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...
INTRODUCING A NEW BILL TO BRING UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE TO NEW YORK STATE
Published December 23, 2021 782 Views
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/20/2021 QUEENS, NY— State Senator Jessica Ramos (D,WF-SD13...
Rochester’s Inaugural Food Policy Council Announces Selection of First Members
Published November 29, 2021 513 Views
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...
Press Release: National Early Childhood Expert to Kickoff Playful Learning Initiative for Rochester's Youth
Published October 4, 2021 581 Views
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...
Health is Wealth at B+ Healthy Fresh Food Market
Published September 28, 2021 559 Views
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...
New York State Amends Contract Process for Out of School Providers
Published September 10, 2021 412 Views
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...
The Power of Play on TikTok: 5 Tips from Mega Influencer Chaz Bruce
Published August 31, 2021 698 Views
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...
Parents’ Share with Healthi Kids Their Needs and Perceptions of Childcare During COVID-19
Published June 29, 2021 809 Views
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.&...
How resident-led advocacy in Rochester, N.Y. is creating a more playful city
Published June 28, 2021 613 Views
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...
Coalition Updates - June 2021
Published June 21, 2021 489 Views
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...
Healthi Kids Submits Recommendations to RCSD on Stimulus Funding
Published June 15, 2021 391 Views
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...
Action Alert: Apply to be a Rochester Food Policy Council Member Today!
Published June 3, 2021 973 Views
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...
Action Alert: Tell Us Your Vision for Play in RCSD!
Published June 1, 2021 1210 Views
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...
City unveils new extension of the Downtown Play Walk
Published May 6, 2021 611 Views
(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...
Share with us more about your child care needs during COVID-19
Published March 22, 2021 745 Views
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.&...
School Meals: How Federal, State and local regulations shape school food & what you can do about it
Published February 15, 2021 4013 Views
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...
Do you want to support RCSD students by purchasing snacks? Here’s what you need to know
Published February 11, 2021 1308 Views
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...
Healthi Kids Supports RCSD Reopening Plans
Published February 8, 2021 683 Views
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...
Our Highlights: July - December 2020
Published January 29, 2021 413 Views
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...
#PLAYROCSATHOME - Snow Much Fun Winter Activity Ideas
Published January 28, 2021 1347 Views
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...
Action Alert: What Are Your Current Childcare Needs? Take the Survey!
Published November 20, 2020 1382 Views
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...
Food for Thought: Creating Rochester's first Food Policy Council
Published October 13, 2020 1462 Views
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...
$100K ‘Healthiest Cities’ grant aims to advance health equity in Rochester
Published August 4, 2020 1561 Views
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...
Summer Meals program innovates to reach more kids due to coronavirus pandemic
Published July 7, 2020 1190 Views
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...
Racism is a public health crisis
Published June 17, 2020 1590 Views
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...