1. PTA Healthy Lifestyles + Healthy Schools = Healthy Families
Karen Burnell
Texas PTA Healthy Lifestyles Liaison

2. Where does PTA fit in?

3. It’s more than just (healthy) fundraising
PTA’s are encouraged to:
Communicate the need for healthy lifestyles
Learn more about supporting organizations/PTA partnerships
Participate and promote PTA family-oriented programs
Advocate for health/safety and local wellness policies (join SHAC)
Be recognized for their efforts by National and State PTA grants and awards

4. Why Healthy Lifestyles?
There is a still a disconnect with many parents – so what can be done to close the gap?
Healthy Lifestyles Program – provides education and tools that connect families, schools and community to collectively advocate for and support healthy changes
Healthy Lifestyles Chair – a dedicated board position who establishes a committee that provides access to training and resources and addresses the needs of health and safety for the whole child
Texas PTA has a model for adding Healthy Lifestyles as a standing committee - it is bylaws based and available to all PTAs

6. What does Texas PTA provide for its members?
Resource Guide
Web page
Grants
Training
Workshops
Exhibitors
Webinars

7. National PTA Health and Safety Committee
Create a State‐Wide Healthy Lifestyles Initiative
Develop Healthy Lifestyles Chair
Standing committee
Job descriptions
Sample committee charter
Plan of work, and Procedure book, etc.
Provide support to State, Council, and Local PTAs
Create Healthy Lifestyles coalitions for efficient, effective and economical delivery of national/state/ local data, resources, programs, grants, etc.
Develop Healthy Lifestyles Initiative outreach to Title 1 and military based schools

8. Impact of Healthy Lifestyles
Happy Kids
Better Social/Academic Outcomes
Healthier Families
Reduced Health Care Costs
Successful Schools
Less Absenteeism >$$$
Positive Teaching/Learning Environment
Reduction in Student Remediation Costs
Higher Graduation Rates
Healthy, Educated, Productive Citizens
Better Educated Workforce
Less Absenteeism
Reduced Health Care Cost