Healthy LEAP Program

The Problem:

The Solution:

People with intellectual disabilities haveunique health care needs and many receive virtually no health care at all.There is little to no education on healthand nutrition available to students during the school day.

29% of Special Olympics Athletes under the age of 20 are overweight or obese.

Healthy LEAP is a series of health, nutrition, fitness, safety and injury prevention lessons and their practical applications created specifically for youth with and without intellectual disabilities.

Program Overview:10 week program offered in school for studentswith and without intellectual disabilities. Lessonsare available for preschool through high schoolstudents.Each weekly lesson includes in-school and take-home education and activities.

• Food Groups• Healthy Weight• Bone Health• Behavior and Stress Management• Sports Nutrition and Hydration• Exercise and Injury Prevention• Sun Safety• Personal Hygiene• Educaton and Prevention of Tobacco and Alcohol Use (Age Appropriate)

Student Benefits:• Increases overall student health and wellness• Promotes inclusion and breaks down barriers• Provides accountability to peers• Free health screening available• Fun student prizes provided

School Benefits:• Promotes a unified classroom environment• Curriculum recognized by United Nations• Educator or school stipend• 40% of participants have decreased their BMI

For Students With and Without Intellectual Disabilities

Students are learning together with this program. It truly does facilitate health education!

- Teacher

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5 EASY STEPSTo Implement the Healthy LEAP Program

STEP ONE: Contact Special Olympics Colorado and Become a School Partner!To get started, please contact Emilie Ricker at ericker@specialolympicsco.org or 720.359.3119. Facilitators can be teachers (including Special Ed, PE, Health), nurses, coaches and other administrators. Special Olympics Colorado will train the facilitator(s).

STEP TWO: Determine Facilitator(s) and Find Your ClassAll you need is a group of students! This can be any class including an existing unified class, physical education class or club. You can also create a new class by utilizing key club members or other extracurricular activity members. TheHealthy LEAP lessons are available for preschool through high school students.

STEP THREE: Order MaterialsHealthy LEAP packets can be ordered online and will be delivered directly to your school. There will be enough copies in the packet for each student. No photocopying needed! Fun prizes for students and facilitator(s) will also be included.

STEP FOUR: Execute the Program

For questions or for more information please contact:

Emilie RickerHealth and Wellness Manager

Special Olympics Coloradoericker@specialolympicsco.org

720.359.3119

STEP FIVE: Collect the Stipend!

Facilitate the program with the lessons provided, collect all of the paperwork including the pre-test, post-test and parental consent.

The facilitator will receive $50 per new student with completed paperwork, up to $2,000 per classroom.