Fremont County Group Homes, Inc.

Wellness Policy

Adopted: October 30, 2006

Intent:

Fremont County Group Homes, Inc. (FCGH) shall promote resident well being and academic achievement by supporting quality nutrition and physical activity as part of the daily environment. The program recognizes that collaborating with parents, residents, group home personnel, health professionals, and community members is the most effective method of creating a healthy environment where children can learn about and adopt positive lifestyle habits that are essential for them to achieve their full potential, as well as lifelong good health and well being.

Rationale:

Healthy eating patterns, respect for body-size differences, and physical activity are essential for adolescents to reach their academic potential, full physical and mental growth, and lifelong health and well-being. Recent studies have shown a strong link among nutrition, physical activity and learning. Positive correlations have been made regarding academic performance as measured by test scores, concentration, tardiness, attendance rates, and discipline.

Healthy eating and physical activity are also clearly linked to the reduced risk for mortality and development of many chronic diseases. Over the past 20 years the percentage of overweight children has doubled and the percentage of overweight adolescents has tripled. Being overweight increases the risk of children developing Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, as well as some forms of cancer. Overweight children often experience low self-esteem and even depression. 

Because our residents are living in our facilities 24/7, we have a responsibility to help them establish and maintain lifelong, healthy and enjoyable eating and physical activity patterns, while creating environments that reflect respect for body-size differences.

Component 1 – Nutrition Education:

§         Residents will receive behavior-focused nutrition education that is interactive and teaches the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors they need to adopt healthy and enjoyable eating habits that last a lifetime.

§         Any nutrition education curriculum, materials, flyers, handouts, etc. will be based on sound scientific research.

§         Residents are educated regarding body image, healthy attitudes toward food, and the pleasurable aspects of eating.

§         Nutrition education will include the importance of body-size acceptance and the dangers of unhealthy weight-control practices.

§         The group home kitchen and dining area offers a “learning laboratory” to link the lessons learned at group home and at the group home, with the practice of making health-promoting food choices.

§         Nutrition education is delivered in an environment that reflects respect for body-size differences.

§         Residents receive consistent nutrition messages throughout the group home program, in counseling, and at school.

§         Group home staff will not advocate dieting behaviors or any specific eating regimen to residents, other staff members, or parents.

§         The group home will build awareness among all staff about the importance of nutrition, physical activity and body-size acceptance to lifelong wellness.

§         The group home will encourage staff and residents to serve as role models in practicing healthy eating and being physically active.

Component 2 – Physical Activity:

§         Residents will receive behavior-focused physical education that actively engages all youth, regardless of skill level, and that teaches the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors that young people need to adopt and enjoy a physically active lifestyle.

§         The group home will promote ongoing development for staff in the area of physical activity.

§         All residents including those with disabilities, will receive daily physical activity of at least 60 minutes per day, year round

§         The group home will provide appropriate physical activity opportunities to residents who have special needs. To the extent it is possible, such residents will take part in regular activities. 

§         Physical activity programs are carried out in environments that reflect respect for body-size differences and varying skill levels.

§         Extended periods of inactivity (periods of two or more hours) are discouraged.

§         The group home district shall provide adequate physical activity equipment for residents to use during activity time.
Physical activity opportunities will focus on individual activities in addition to competitive and non-competitive team sports.

§         The group home provides an environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all residents, including those who are not athletically gifted. 

§         Group home staff will not use physical activity (e.g., running laps, pushups) or withhold opportunities for physical activity (e.g., recess, physical education) as punishment.

§         The group home has in place, rules and procedures concerning safety, infection control, provision of first aid, and the reporting of injuries and illnesses to residents’ families and appropriate authorities. Fremont County Group Homes administrators shall enforce compliance with these rules and procedures by all residents, staff, and volunteers. Residents and their families shall be informed of the group home's health and safety rules at intake.

§         Fremont County Group Homes, Inc. will encourage parents, staff, and residents to serve as role models in practicing healthy eating and being physically active.

§         The group home shall ensure that adequate spaces, facilities, equipment, supplies, and operational budgets are available to achieve the objectives of the physical education program.

Component 3 – Nutrition Standards for All Foods Available on Each Group home Campus During the Group home Day:

§         The group home district shall use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA School Meal Program requirements when deciding what foods and beverages will be available to residents. These standards focus on increasing nutritious foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods while decreasing fats and added sugars.

§         Resident’s snacks feature healthy choices.

§         Foods and beverages that have as the first ingredient: sugar, corn syrup, shortening, lard, partially or fully hydrogenated oil, or similar ingredients, are discouraged.

§         Residents are not allowed to have pop or candy at the group home.

§         Snacks served at the group home will make a positive contribution to children’s diets and health, with an emphasis on serving fruits and vegetables as the primary snacks and water as the primary beverage. Group homes will consider the timing of group home meals, children’s nutritional needs and children’s ages when determining snack availability.

§         Fremont County Group Homes will limit celebrations that involve food. When food is served at a party, it should be nutritional and healthy.

§         Guidelines ensure that the group home breakfast and lunch programs meet the USDA requirements for Federal Group home Meal Programs.

§         The group home shall provide appealing and attractive meals to children that offer a variety of fruits and vegetables and ensure that half of the served grains are whole grain. 

§         Menus are planned with input from residents and include local, cultural and ethnic favorites of the residents.

§         The group home will plan schedules and utilize methods that encourage breakfast and lunch participation.

§         Fremont County Group Homes prepares and serves breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks for all residents every day of the year.

§         Meals and facilities are regularly evaluated to ensure that the food served meets the approved nutritional standards.

§         Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) guidelines are implemented.

§         Parents and staff will be encouraged to model healthy eating habits while on group home property.

§         The group homes will discourage visitors from bringing foods high in fat and low in nutrients to the group home during meal times.

Component 4 – Other Group home-Based Activities Designed to Promote Resident Wellness Goals:

§         Staff will not deny a resident’s participation in a physical activity as a form of discipline.

§         All staff are trained in how to maintain a safe, clean, and pleasant eating environment.

§         Lunch is scheduled as near the middle of the day as possible.

§         Staff will provide a clean, safe, enjoyable meal environment for residents.

§         Staff will model appropriate mealtime behaviors and emphasize the positive social aspects of mealtime to residents.

§         Residents shall have adequate time to eat, relax, and socialize.

§         Convenient access to facilities for hand washing shall be available.          

§         Safe drinking water will be available throughout the day.

§         The group home prohibits the use of food as a reward or punishment.

Component 5 – Maintain a District Wellness Advisory Council and Monitor and Review the Policy:

§         The FCGH Wellness Advisory Council includes: All direct care staff and the FCGH Board of Directors, which is made up of community members.

§         A designated staff person shall prepare an annual report for the council on the progress toward meeting policy goals. Said annual report will evaluate each home’s healthy group home nutrition environment during the final quarter of the group home year. The council will then make recommendations for improvements during the next group home year.

§         The FCGH Wellness Council will advise residents, staff, and parents about the importance of body-size acceptance and the dangers of unhealthy weight-control practices, when appropriate.

§         The FCGH Wellness Council will encourage staff and will advocate for peer sensitivity to the problems encountered by the overweight child.