Catch Program with Support from Blue Cross Blue Shield on Phase 2

October 21, 2016  | By CATCH Global Foundation

The CATCH Global Foundation is proud to announce significant results at 14 Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) elementary schools in El Paso, TX during Phase 1 implementation of the highly effective, evidence-based CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) program. The project is made possible through a generous grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas’ (BCBSTX) “Healthy Kids, Healthy Families” initiative.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation provided additional support to YISD  to expand the CATCH program to 11,000 students and 23 schools in Phase 2. The YISD CATCH Phase 2 training will officially kick off on Wednesday, October 26^th at Capistrano Elementary School.

“We are thrilled with the healthy results we’ve seen in our students this past year after implementing the CATCH curriculum,” said Sonia Noriega, YISD Lead Teacher of Health and Physical Education. “The schools have done a great job of moving the program forward and making a huge difference in the lives of our students, their families and the overall school environment.  We can’t wait to continue our commitment to fighting childhood obesity and teaching the importance of making healthy choices.”

Since implementation at YISD in August 2015, the program has yielded significant results, most notably a 53% increase in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity. Other outcomes include a 14% increase in the number of days students played outdoors and a 20% increase in the number of times students ate fruit. You can see a brief summary of the Phase 1 results here, and a full evaluation report here.

CATCH is considered the most cost-effective means of preventing childhood obesity, according to independent research and third-party evaluation. Developed at universities over the past 25 years, CATCH is now being used by more than 10,000 sites worldwide to combat obesity and improve child health.

Dr. Kelly, Vice President for Programs at the Paso del Norte Health Foundation states,

“To benefit students, school health systems must be comprehensive and coordinated.  Effective school health is more than a program or curricula; it involves active leadership and commitment from school administrators, school health councils, parents, as well as campus employees to provide an environment and educational offerings that promote student wellness now and for the future.”

“Healthy Kids, Healthy Families” began as a three-year initiative to pull local, state and national resources together to make a significant impact on childhood health and wellness. The CATCH Global Foundation links underserved communities to funds and resources needed to implement the CATCH program. All stakeholders involved in the YISD kick-off are excited to see the impact CATCH will have on the community in El Paso.

The CATCH training with YISD leadership will kick-off on Wednesday, October 26^th at Capistrano Elementary School – 240 Mecca St., El Paso, TX 79907. From 11:30 a.m. to noon, there will be a CATCH P.E. demonstration that will lend itself to great video and photo opportunities. From noon to 12:30 p.m., there will be lunch served and opportunities for the media to obtain interviews with school members, CATCH trainers, and sponsoring organizations. For more information or to attend, please contact [email protected].