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Raising Healthy Children

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Raising Healthy Children (RHC) incorporates school, family, and individual programs to promote key elements that research has shown to help children succeed in school and life. The program focuses on creating a caring community of learners through schoolwide action to strengthen instructional practices and family involvement. The elementary school program includes 1) a teacher-focused component, which focuses on effective instructional strategies and brings teachers together to reinforce learned strategies; 2) a parent-focused component, which involves group workshops on in-home problem-solving; and 3) a student-focused component, which includes in-home services and a summer camp. The program serving middle- and high-schoolers provides after-school tutoring, study clubs, and a social skills booster retreat for students to learn and practice social, emotional, and problem-solving skills.

Goal / Mission

The Raising Healthy Children program is a social development approach to positive youth development.

Results / Accomplishments

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Raising Healthy Children and its strategies. In one evaluation of 938 first and second grade students, academic and behavioral improvements were examined in students who received RHC intervention compared to controls 18 months after implementation. Those who received intervention had significantly higher teacher-reported academic performance (p<0.001), a stronger commitment to school (p<0.03), a decrease in antisocial behaviors (p<0.02), and increased social competency (p<0.01). Resources to support program implementation are available online.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Social Development Research Group, University of Washington
Primary Contact
Kevin Haggerty, Director
Social Development Research Group
UW Box #358734
9725 Third Ave NE, Suite #401
Seattle WA 98115
206-685-1997
haggerty@uw.edu
http://www.sdrg.org/index.asp
Topics
Education / Student Performance K-12
Education / Childcare & Early Childhood Education
Organization(s)
Social Development Research Group, University of Washington
Date of publication
2003
Location
Seattle, WA
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Teens, Families
Michigan Health Improvement Alliance