|
 The
Family Nutrition Program (FNP) serves youth audiences
in 32 West Virginia counties: Berkeley, Braxton, Brooke,
Cabell, Doddridge, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hardy,
Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan,
Marion, McDowell, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia,
Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph,
Tyler, Wayne, Wood and Wyoming. Youth target audiences
are 3rd, 4th and 5th graders ages 9-12 from limited
resource families. Our Nutrition Outreach Instructors
(NOIs) participate in extensive training programs including
more than a month's activities in formal and field settings
in the first year, as well as ongoing trainings in subsequent
years. There are two primary types of youth programming
activities. The first takes place during the school
year and includes nine weeks of nutrition programming
as supplemental activity to the school day. The second
element of youth programming includes summer camp activities.
All programming utilizes nutrition curriculum approved
by a review committee and our staff registered dietitian.
School Programming
NOIs provide lessons over a nine-week period to 3rd,
4th and 5th graders at elementary schools with at least
50% free and reduced lunch participation. This program
utilizes the Show Me Nutrition curriculum developed
by the University of Missouri Extension Service. The
NOIs use Show Me Nutrition to teach children
that good health is a result of good food choices. Food
choices are recommended according to the USDA's My Pyramid
for Kids. Physical activity, which is also a part of
this curriculum, is demonstrated in the classroom and
encourages children to incorporate regular physical
activity into their daily routine.
Summer Programming
FNP summer programming is dynamic and varies according
to the needs of local communities. Nutrition education
includes programming incorporated into day camps ranging
from one to six weeks in length, as well as participating
in a variety of residential camps. The Healthy Camp
Challenge curriculum has been developed by the
Family Nutrition Program in coordination with WVU
Extension Service.
|
