 The TSET Board of Directors approved 34 incentive grants for communities and schools through the TSET Healthy Incentive Program at their quarterly meeting.
TSET funds were awarded to 10 communities and 24 school districts that have adopted health promoting policies and strategies at the board meeting.
In communities, key strategies for health include tobacco-free, vapefree environments, suicide prevention, supporting active transportation such as biking or walking, offering and promoting fruits and vegetables through community gardens, farmers markets and making healthy foods more appealing and affordable.
Strategies for schools include district wellness policies that focus on quality nutrition and increased physical activity to improve the health of students. Schools must also provide a tobacco-free, vapefree environment at all times.
Grant funds are often used to leverage additional partners for projects that promote health.
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Three school districts were honored recently for efforts to promote health and wellness for students and staff through the TSET Healthy Incentive Program for Schools.
Waukomis Public School District received a $3,000 grant and used the grant funds to purchase physical education equipment.
Cimarron Public School District received a $3,000 incentive grant and utilized the funds to purchase Action Based Learning equipment, a speaker for the physical education program and supplies for a tower garden.
Cherokee Public School District received a $3,000 incentive grant and will use the grant funds to update and improve playground equipment.
“These grants recognize the efforts of schools and school districts that are actively promoting healthy lifestyles. Studies show that active, healthy kids perform better in school,” said TSET Executive Director John Woods. “Habits formed early last a lifetime and we want to recognize schools that are making the healthy choice the easy choice for students, staff and the community.”
Pictured from left to right: Jay Sharp, Lead Program Coordinator, TSET Healthy Living Program serving Garfield County; Stephanie Pendergraft, Program Coordinator, TSET Healthy Living Program serving Garfield County; Sharon Howard, Program Manager, TSET Healthy Schools Incentive Program; Kathy Golay, Waukomis School Counselor; Waukomis Superintendent Shawn Tennyson; Rebecca Griffith, Program Coordinator, TSET Healthy Living Program serving Garfield County
Oklahomans living in rural areas have higher rates of diabetes, cancer and heart disease and less access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity.
The TSET Incentive Program for Schools and Communities addresses the challenges to improve health in rural areas to prevent and reduce the leading causes of death in Oklahoma - heart disease, stroke and cancer by preventing unhealthy behaviors before they take root.
To date, TSET Board of Directors has awarded 26 incentive grants to school districts and 10 incentive grants to communities throughout the state. The TSET Incentive Program for Schools and Communities are part of a comprehensive approach to reduce the demand on an already stressed health care system, saving lives and saving money and improving quality of life.
Funding for school districts and sites are based on student enrollment and the strength of health-promoting policies and criteria met while award amounts for communities are based on grant criteria met and the size of the municipality.
This grant program is just one of many that promote systemic and lasting change that improves health. Take a look at the TSET Programs page on our website to learn more about the work that TSET does to make our state a healthier place.
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