Sometimes, I’m amazed by the sheer volume of federal programs with an after-school angle. Take, for instance, the National Institutes of Health’s “We Can!” campaign to help 8- to 13-year-olds stay at a healthy weight.
“We Can,” it seems, stands for “Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition.” The We Can! website encourages organizations and communities to sign up for free tools and information on encouraging healthy eating, boosting physical activity, and reducing the amount of time kids spend in front of a TV or computer screen.
We Can! officials also urge organizations to become partners in the initiative. Among those already involved is the Lane Coalition for Healthy Active Youth in Lane County, Ore. You can click here to read more about the coalition and its after-school efforts. You can read more here about becoming a We Can! community site.
If you’re aware of another off-the-beaten-path federal program that after-school providers should know about, please send a comment to the blog. I’m curious to learn what’s out there.