Wellness CQI Team

Over the last year, the Wellness CQI Team has focused on increasing youth participation in the Wellness Program.  The program was developed in order to help our youth overcome inactivity and promote overall health and wellness.  This was made possible through an initial $7,500.00 grant and additional $4,500.00 grant to Saint Vincent’s through the Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sport.  In the coming year the Team plans to expand the program to include additional weight training equipment.

The Team has also been working on a nutrition training to be provided to both staff and youth.  Trainings will focus on a variety of topics, such as making healthy food choices, portion control, and food sanitation.  The first training is scheduled for July 22, 2009, and will be given by Pat Bebo, MS, RD, LDN Extension Educator and Program Supervisor for the U-Mass Extension Nutrition Education Program.  

Our Food Service Manager and Team members have developed a series of Wellness Workshops that gives our youth participating in the workshop, firsthand experience in preparing typical foods using healthy food options.   Also with the help of the Director of Development, the Team applied for the Champions for Healthy Kids grant through General Mills.   Although we were not one of the few applicants awarded the grant, a great amount of work went into the application process and we plan on applying for the grant again in the future.

The agency’s Physical Education Teacher who is also a member of the Wellness CQI Team has continually developed new and innovative ways to get our youth involved in physical activities.  Some highlighted incentives implemented this year include a fitness challenge focusing on individualized fitness goals for specific youth and a group survivor challenge.  She also implemented an incentive program that encourages full participation and team work during PE class. 

 The Team also conducted the annual review and update of the Wellness Policy.  The policy addresses such things as nutritional guidelines, nutrition education, and physical activity.