HEROES
Over the past three decades, the prevalence of overweight among children has more than doubled for those children ages 2-5 and adolescents ages 12-19, and has more than tripled for children 6-11 years of age. Overweight children and youth have a very high probability of becoming overweight adults. This places them on a fast track towards prematurely developing chronic diseases of old age such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as, increased rates of loneliness, depression, being teased or bullied, smoking and alcohol consumption.

The Welborn Baptist Foundation, Inc. (WBF, Inc.) recognizes that schools are uniquely positioned to influence the development of lifelong healthy habits and to help prevent overweight and obesity in children thus aiding in the prevention of chronic health diseases.  To this end, the WBF, Inc. presents its HEROES Initiative.  HEROES stands for Healthy, Energetic, Ready, Outstanding, Enthusiastic, Schools. The HEROES Initiative is modeled after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) research-based and proven Coordinated School Health (CSH) Model.  For more information about the CSH Model go to www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/CSHP.

Each school year, schools who are interested and willing to commit and implement the three year HEROES Initiative into their school environment, are asked to submit a Response for Proposal (RFP) to WBF, Inc. detailing their plans to become a healthy and whole school. The HEROES RFP will be available on line each year during the end of the spring school semester. Awarded grants will run from August 1, to July 31 of the school calendar year.

Schools in Gibson, Perry, Posey, Dubois, and Vanderburgh in IN, Wabash in IL, and Henderson in KY, are now implementing the HEROES Initiative and are changing the cultures of their schools to focus on health.  If your school is interested in being a part of the HEROES Initiative, contact the HEROES Program Director, Rhonda Meade for more details.

Healthy Resources
Healthy Ideas for Schools with Little or No Funding
The Obesity Epidemic and United States Students
Physical Activities for Classroom and Outdoors

HEROES Student Health Assessment Survey
Cedar Crest Intermediate School, 5-6, click here
Corpus Christi Catholic School, click here
Delaware Elementary School, K-5, click here
Evans Middle School, 6-8, click here
Glenwood Leadership Academy, click here
Good Shepherd Catholic School, K-8, click here
Holy Spirit Catholic School, click here
Luce Elementary, click here
Mt. Carmel High School, click here
Mt. Carmel Middle School, click here
Norris City Omaha Elementary, click here
Joshua Academy, PK- 5, click here
Perry Central Elementary School, PK-6, click here
St. Philip Catholic School, PK-8, click here
South Middle School, 6-8, click here
Tell City Jr. High School, click here
Westside Catholic School, click here
William Tell Elementary School, PK-5, click here
Wood Memorial Jr. High, 7-8, click here