Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation improving students’ well-being
Topeka, Kansas (Feb. 22, 2024) – Each year, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation awards local schools Healthy Habits for Life grants to assist in implementing programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices to their K-12 students. This year, 110 schools were awarded a share of nearly $200,000.
Since its creation in 2005, the Healthy Habits for Life grant program has awarded more than $2 million through more than 2,000 grants. School personnel have used past grant dollars to educate students on healthy portion sizes, begin a daily walking program for students before or after school, invest in equipment for physical education classes, and much more.
Roger O’Neal, Burrton K-12 Physical Education Teacher, has applied for and received multiple Healthy Habits for Life grants over the years. This year, he plans to purchase Tchoukball equipment, and with past grants has received equipment to incorporate pickleball, badminton, scooters, hockey, disc golf and more into his curriculum.
“In the past, we have been limited in the games and activities we could utilize in our program, but that has dramatically changed thanks to the Healthy Habits for Life grants,” said O’Neal. “This grant has literally been a game changer for us, and we’ve been able to strengthen our program with funds received from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation.”
Schools receiving grants must address at least one of four criteria: reduce cardiovascular risk, increase physical activity, learn healthy eating habits, and reinforce positive mental health among students. These programs range from adding new equipment for PE programs to launching after-school clubs to providing care cases for teachers to assist students who are having a difficult time and need items to help themselves self-regulate their emotions.
2023-2024 Healthy Habits for Life grant recipients
About the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation promotes the good health of Kansans who live in the Foundation’s 103-county service area. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, the largest health insurer in the state, incorporated the Foundation in 2005 as a way to further deepen its commitment to helping all Kansans lead healthier lives, an effort which both entities believe is an essential factor in keeping health care affordable. Through its giving, the Foundation focuses on key health issues that can impact the lives of many Kansans. It funds programs and activities that are, at their core, health-related and in particular, promote health improvement, community health access and/or education, healthy behaviors, prevention initiatives and direct health services to the uninsured. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Both entities serve all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. For more information on the Foundation, visit bcbsks.com/foundation.