How resident-led advocacy in Rochester, N.Y. is creating a more playful city

How resident-led advocacy in Rochester, N.Y. is creating a more playful city

Published June 28, 2021 1704 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 brutality have compounded to...

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Coalition Updates - June 2021

Coalition Updates - June 2021

Published June 21, 2021 1063 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 environments....

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Healthi Kids Submits Recommendations to RCSD on Stimulus Funding

Healthi Kids Submits Recommendations to RCSD on Stimulus Funding

Published June 15, 2021 880 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 spend stimulu...

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Action Alert: Apply to be a Rochester Food Policy Council Member Today!

Action Alert: Apply to be a Rochester Food Policy Council Member Today!

Published June 3, 2021 1892 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, Healthi K...

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Action Alert: Tell Us Your Vision for Play in RCSD!

Action Alert: Tell Us Your Vision for Play in RCSD!

Published June 1, 2021 2064 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                      CLICK ABOVE FOR SPANISH VERSION   ABOUT THE SURVEY: Play is fundamenta...

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City unveils new extension of the Downtown Play Walk

City unveils new extension of the Downtown Play Walk

Published May 6, 2021 1239 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 constantly changing col...

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Share with us more about your child care needs during COVID-19

Share with us more about your child care needs during COVID-19

Published March 22, 2021 1528 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. ...

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School Meals: How Federal, State and local regulations shape school food & what you can do about it

School Meals: How Federal, State and local regulations shape school food & what you can do about it

Published February 15, 2021 12912 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...

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Do you want to support RCSD students by purchasing snacks? Here’s what you need to know

Do you want to support RCSD students by purchasing snacks? Here’s what you need to know

Published February 11, 2021 2301 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 federal government made th...

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Healthi Kids Supports RCSD Reopening Plans

Healthi Kids Supports RCSD Reopening Plans

Published February 8, 2021 1480 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...

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Our Highlights: July - December 2020

Our Highlights: July - December 2020

Published January 29, 2021 982 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 been fe...

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#PLAYROCSATHOME - Snow Much Fun Winter Activity Ideas

#PLAYROCSATHOME - Snow Much Fun Winter Activity Ideas

Published January 28, 2021 2769 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 the...

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Action Alert: What Are Your Current Childcare Needs? Take the Survey!

Action Alert: What Are Your Current Childcare Needs? Take the Survey!

Published November 20, 2020 2144 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...

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Food for Thought: Creating Rochester's first Food Policy Council

Food for Thought: Creating Rochester's first Food Policy Council

Published October 13, 2020 2735 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...

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$100K ‘Healthiest Cities’ grant aims to advance  health equity in Rochester

$100K ‘Healthiest Cities’ grant aims to advance health equity in Rochester

Published August 4, 2020 2095 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's new Comprehensi...

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Summer Meals program innovates to reach more kids due to coronavirus pandemic

Summer Meals program innovates to reach more kids due to coronavirus pandemic

Published July 7, 2020 1746 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 nutritious m...

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Racism is a public health crisis

Racism is a public health crisis

Published June 17, 2020 2298 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...

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Healthi Kids and DRYS partner to promote #playrocsathome

Healthi Kids and DRYS partner to promote #playrocsathome

Published May 20, 2020 1643 Views

Healthi Kids partnered with The City’s Department of Recreation & Youth Services (DRYS) to promote the power of play. On Monday, May 4, team members from Healthi Kids and DRYS met at the Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium and assembled 900 free play kits that kids can use at home.  The kits...

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Resources for Families: COVID-19

Resources for Families: COVID-19

Published March 24, 2020 25005 Views

  Healthi Kids acknowledges the challenges that families are facing due to the recent COVID-19 news. Since schools are closed and a lot of kids are home with their parents, we understand the importance of creating daily routines that incorporate learning, physical activity, and social-emotion...

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Active fathers have a significant impact on child development

Active fathers have a significant impact on child development

Published February 7, 2020 2252 Views

                     All Pro Dad breakfast at #43 school Fatherhood engagement has a significant influence on children. More engaged fathers can positively affect a child’s healthy physical, emotional and social development. Research shows that father involvement impacts their children’s ment...

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City Council adopts Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan

City Council adopts Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan

Published December 9, 2019 2423 Views

Healthi Kids is happy to celebrate City Council’s adoption of the Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan. The decision was made on November 12, 2019 and the new plan will replace the city’s previous comprehensive plan, which was completed in 1999. A comprehensive plan is a vision for the future – it...

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ROC the Future Selected for Community-led Playground Project to Give Local Kids More Opportunities to Play

ROC the Future Selected for Community-led Playground Project to Give Local Kids More Opportunities to Play

Published October 31, 2019 1960 Views

ROC the Future, a member of the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network, has been selected to lead a playground project with KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit that works to ensure every kid and all communities have equitable access to quality, imaginative playspaces. ROC the Future, in partners...

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Mayor Warren Cuts Ribbon on Downtown Play Walk

Mayor Warren Cuts Ribbon on Downtown Play Walk

Published October 25, 2019 1941 Views

Photo courtesy of the City of Rochester Communications Bureau Want to get from the Strong Museum of Play to the Central Library or take in the gorgeous vistas of the Genesee River Downtown? You could drive. Or, you could play your way there! Mayor Lovely A. Warren was joined by youth and comm...

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North Clinton Avenue Makeover Featured a Multicultural Flair

North Clinton Avenue Makeover Featured a Multicultural Flair

Published October 3, 2019 2797 Views

A dream decades in the making was realized this weekend when North Clinton Avenue was infused with the flavor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, during the “Complete Streets Makeover.” On Sept. 29, volunteers transformed a busy section of North Clinton Avenue, or “La Avenida” to slow traffic and make...

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Healthi Kids Speaks Out in Opposition to Proposed SNAP Change

Healthi Kids Speaks Out in Opposition to Proposed SNAP Change

Published October 3, 2019 1559 Views

iStock.com/AlexRaths Healthi Kids has spoken out in opposition to the administration’s proposed changes to SNAP. The new rule will ultimately increase food insecurity which will harm whole child health. The changes will also make it more costly for states to run their SNAP programs.   ...

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A Proposed Change to SNAP Would Increase Food Insecurity and Hurt Kids

A Proposed Change to SNAP Would Increase Food Insecurity and Hurt Kids

Published August 28, 2019 2325 Views

iStock.com/AlexRaths Would you go hungry so that your children had food? It’s a question more local families could be facing soon. In Monroe County, over 100,000 people rely on SNAP (aka food stamps or EBT) to afford food each month. Many of these individuals are the children of working pa...

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Community welcomes story walk at Ryan R-Center

Community welcomes story walk at Ryan R-Center

Published August 28, 2019 2586 Views

Photo courtesy of the City of Rochester Communications Bureau Community members are applauding the grand opening of the Community Story Walk at Ryan, an interactive and visual literary journey of play, to the Thomas P. Ryan R-Center and Sully Branch Library. “I am so proud to live in a cit...

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Safe driving campaign seeks help posting signs

Safe driving campaign seeks help posting signs

Published August 28, 2019 2386 Views

Local residents have stepped up to install more than 300 lawn signs as part of the drive2Bbetter campaign, which aims to make our community’s roads safer for all users. The signs remind drivers of three simple driving habits to protect road users: slow, scan and space. Slowing down, scanning for...

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City releases draft plan for next 15 years

City releases draft plan for next 15 years

Published August 7, 2019 1994 Views

Healthi Kids was excited to read the draft Rochester 2034 Comprehensive Plan, which will set the city's strategic vision and goals for the future. This important plan will affect kids and families across our city. Learn more.

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Rochester kids and adults reclaimed their neighborhoods for play

Rochester kids and adults reclaimed their neighborhoods for play

Published July 8, 2019 1527 Views

During its 4th annual PlayROCs Your Neighborhood event on July 13, 2019, Healthi Kids teamed up with 55 neighborhood partners to repurpose, reclaim and restore play to public spaces.

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