Healthful Living Update
This month the update offers a lot of opportunities, please be sure to scroll through the entire document.
2025 Healthful Living Coordinators Meeting
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Chatham County Schools Central Services
468 Renaissance Dr.
Pittsboro, NC
8:00 am Check-In
8:30 am - 3 pm
The day will include sessions, networking and collaboration opportunities to explore the challenges and barriers faced across the state. Topics may include: Round Table discussion among districts, Healthful Living Standards Implementation, Health Instruction and policies related to Health education, Incorporating Physical Activity into High Schools and the benefits of that activity, and other relevant issues.
Registration:
https://forms.gle/dqnSWshL4XMj9kex6
NCDPI Healthful Living
Webinar Series
Healthful Living Classroom Management
November 12, 2025
This session addresses the distinct challenges of classroom management that arise in healthful living classes. Various techniques will be discussed, along with potential reasons for students' behavior.
Registration
New Standards
Implementation Office Hours
The 2025-2026 academic year will witness the implementation of the new Healthful Living Standards. As districts engage in the transition, office hours will be available throughout the year to support this process. During these sessions, participants will be given the opportunity to pose questions, explore resources, and learn how other districts are implementing the new Healthful Living Standards.
Session #3
November 18
Registration
2025 NC SHAPE Convention
December 4 - 5, 2025
Winston Salem, NC
NC SHAPE State Convention Dates:
December 4th-5th, 2025.
This is a Thursday and Friday format.
Location:
Benton Convention Center
301 W. 5th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
50+ Sessions! This year’s NC SHAPE State Convention promises to be one of the best ever!
With numerous concurrent sessions happening each hour in the Benton Convention Center
facilities, each day promises to provide non-stop learning, fun and enjoyment.
In-Person Renewal Credits: Up to 2.0 (20 hours) of North Carolina Teacher Renewal Credits can be earned by attending this event.
Virtual Option: Up to 2.0 (20 hours) of North Carolina Teacher Renewal Credits can be
earned by attending this event.
For a look at the featured presenters and other information check the NC SHAPE webpage and the Convention Flyer.
Registration
Hotel Information.
USA Baseball Fun At Bat
 "Fun At Bat is a free, entry-level baseball and character development program designed specifically for elementary PE classrooms across the country. Each participating school receives a full sports equipment kit from USA Baseball and Franklin Sports — including bats, balls, bases, batting tee, and more — built for high-engagement, developmentally appropriate activities indoors or outdoors. Teachers also receive bilingual digital curriculum (K–5), the Fun At Bat instructor course, and classroom resources such as certificates, activity sheets, and books that reinforce teamwork and confidence.
Fun At Bat is a turn-key opportunity that empowers PE teachers to confidently deliver bat-and-ball skills while creating positive play experiences for every student. We would love to support more North Carolina schools and be a resource for teachers statewide. For more information or to get started, please contact Isaac Brown at isaacbrown@usabaseball.com or our team at "https://www.usabaseball.com/fun-at-bat."
Program Review
How to Apply
Find Gratitude Through Movement
This month in physical education, we’re celebrating the power of gratitude, kindness, and teamwork through our Gratitude Games!
These activities invite students to move, play, and connect while reflecting on what they’re thankful for and how they can show kindness to others. Through cooperative challenges, team relays, and meaningful reflection, students learn that movement builds strong bodies and strong hearts.
Go To The Games
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Instant PE Fun
Looking for quick and engaging ways to start class? Dice Games are the perfect addition to our Instant Activities module. Designed to energize students and promote teamwork from the moment they enter the gym.
With just a few dice, students jump, toss, dribble, and cheer their way through challenges that build cooperation, communication, and fitness.
View K-5
View 6-12
Fun Start Move Smart
Learning to Move, Moving to Learn Resource Guide (2023)
Be sure to scroll down the left side and down to the bottom of each Page as the site is packed with resources.
Website
 Opportunity #1
New Online Course Helps Professionals Address Youth Gambling, Gaming, and Digital Media Risks
The Adolescent Gambling and Gaming Series is a new online course designed to help behavioral health professionals and youth-serving organizations respond to the growing risks of adolescent gambling, gaming, and digital media use.
Developed by UNC Behavioral Health Springboard (UNC-BHS) in collaboration with Alison Wood of the NC Problem Gambling Program and subject matter experts, the course offers a practical, evidence-based approach to prevention, screening, and treatment.
Research shows:
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15–20% of youth gamble regularly
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2–8% show signs of problematic gambling
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Online gambling and sports betting are rapidly expanding
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Gamified and Gamblified platforms reinforce risky behaviors through dopamine-triggering mechanics
These trends are linked to rising rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, family instability, and suicide ideation among youth.
This is the first course to connect gambling, gaming, and digital media use as overlapping high-risk behaviors. It’s interactive, engaging, and accessible to professionals in schools, juvenile justice, and community organizations.
Register for the course: Adolescent Gambling and Gaming Series | Behavioral Health Springboard
Registration Flyer
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Opportunity #2
New Youth Gambling Prevention Curriculum Reviewers Needed
Stipend Available
The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program has teamed up with subject matter experts to create new youth problem gambling prevention curriculum. However, the curriculum is not just for those who work in the problem gambling space! It focuses on preventing high-risk behaviors, substance misuse, and addictions by engaging youth in conversations around the neurobiology and neuropsychology of engaging in behaviors that promote a healthy and integrated brain while empowering them with media literacy and mental health literacy skills. We are looking for teachers who can engage by providing feedback on the curriculum during 10 virtual sessions starting in January of 2026. Stipends will be provided to teachers to engage in the virtual sessions. In addition, there will be a grant announcement in March of 2026 for middle schools, high schools, and community organizations who work directly with youth to apply for a grant to teach the curriculum and engage in research to help advance the curriculum to become evidence based. Please reach out to Alison Wood at alison.wood@dhhs.nc.gov to learn more.
New Curriculum Flyer
Free Training Series: Behavioral Health Skills for Everyday Helpers
Are you a Peer Support Specialist, Community Health Worker, educator, school support staff, human service provider, or faith leader? You’re often the first to support individuals facing mental health or substance use challenges — even without formal clinical training. This free training series from Eastern and Wake AHEC equips non-clinicians with practical, evidence-based counseling tools that can be applied directly in your work. Through live webinars, self-paced online courses, and six months of follow-up consultation, you’ll learn how to:
• Identify signs and symptoms of common mental health and substance use disorders
• Apply basic counseling and case management skills in non-clinical settings
• Use selected strategies from CBT, DBT, and solution-focused therapy to support clients
• Integrate mindfulness and stress management techniques into daily practice
• Participate in ongoing consultation to reinforce learning and address real-world challenges
• Communicate more effectively and compassionately with those you serve
• Reduce stress and burnout to maintain your well-being while helping others
Whether you’re supporting clients, students, or community members, these skills will help you make a greater impact. Courses begin Fall 2025 — join Eastern and Wake AHEC and strengthen your ability to help others thrive, and you’ll gain the skills and confidence to make a meaningful impact in your community. If you can’t attend the live webinars, the recorded version will be made available! Contact hour certificates will be made available. Check the flyer below for session descriptions, dates and registration links.
Behavioral Health Skills for Everyday Helpers: Free Training Series
North Carolina School Health Training Center
Health Education Regional Training
Trainings are open to current teachers and school staff. Stipends will be provided to cover time away from the classroom. Reimbursement for substitute pay is available. Lunch will be provided.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Eastern AHEC
2600 W Arlington Blvd
Greenville, NC 27834
Mental Health for Students & Staff
Take a deep dive into practical strategies that go beyond trauma-informed care toward healing-centered engagement. Interactive activities will help participants foster connection, belonging, and resilience, not just in classrooms, but across schools and districts.
Registration
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Promotional Flyer
The Healthful Living Consultant at the NC Department of Public Instruction makes every effort to provide relevant, timely information to stakeholders collected from numerous state and national sources. The inclusion of items in this update does not imply the endorsement of this agency.
To contact Burt Jenkins NCDPI Healthful Living Consultant
burt.jenkins@dpi.nc.gov
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