Goal university executive summary

1. G.O.A.L. University
Executive Summary
Mission:
Our missiontoprovide childrenwiththe opportunitytoreceiveeducationand supportonnutritionand
physical activitytoencourage positive changesforhealthyeatingandanactive lifestyle.
Vision:
Our visionistoeducate andempowerelementaryschool childrentobuildhealthyandactive lifestyles.
Rationale:
Publicawarenessof the childhoodobesityepidemichassparkedactivismandinterestinnew and
innovative waystocombatthe problem. Although widespreadknowledge aboutthe problemis
increasing,itisfartoo commonto thinkthat the problemisnotlocal.
What isthe prevalence of childhoodobesityinMonroe County? AccordingtodatapulledfromSouthern
IndianaPhysicians-PediatricsGroupin2013, 32.47% of patientsseenbetweenthe agesof 4-18 are
eitheroverweightorobese. One outof everythree children inMonroe Countyandthe surrounding
areas are eitheroverweightorobese.Giventhe sample size,thisstatisticmeansthat over11,000
childreninourcommunity are classifiedasoverweightorobese. Thisdataisthe drivingforce behind
the original IU HealthG.O.A.L.(GetOnboardActive Living) program. G.O.A.L.isa12-weekintervention
that servesoverweight/obesechildrenandtheirfamiliesandprovideseducationandactivitiesto
promote long-termhealthylifestyles. Todate,G.O.A.L.hashelped over175 familiescreate andsustain
healthierandhappierlivesthrougheducationandsupportonnutrition,physical activity,behavioral
habits,andcommunityinvolvement.
While the G.O.A.L.programhas beenverysuccessfulinthe Monroe County,itstargetedand
individualizednature onlyallowsinteractionwithabout45familiesperyear.Inorderto expandthe
reach of the G.O.A.L.program, we have partneredwith the Monroe County Community School
Corporationtoimplementachildhood obesitypreventionprogramcalledG.O.A.L.University in13 local
elementaryschools. Throughthisinitiative,we are able toincrease ourreachto over400 children
enrolledinafter-schoolcare inBloomington.

2. Structure:
G.O.A.L.University ismodeledafterthe original G.O.A.L. interventionprogram topromote active
lifestyles andhealthyeatingbehaviorsforchildreninkindergartenthrough 6th
grade. G.O.A.L.University
isimplementedbyprogramstaff andvolunteersateveryelementaryschool inBloomingtoninthe after-
school care setting. G.O.A.L.UniversityisfundedbyIUHealthand isoffered completelyfree ofcharge
to schoolsandtheirstudents. G.O.A.L.Universityisofferedonce perschool yearanddeliveredoverthe
course of 6 or 12 weekseitheronce ortwice perweek,dependingonthe needsandavailabilityof the
schoolsandvolunteers.Eachsessionlastsaboutone hourand15 minutesandconsistsof 30 minutesof
interactive nutritioneducation,30minutesof physical activityeducationandgames,and15 minutesof
snack,goal settingandchecking,andadditional opportunitiesforphysical activity. After6 (or12) weeks
of the G.O.A.L.University program, ourgoal is to see increasedknowledge andmore positive attitudes
towardseatinghealthyandactive livingamongthe students.
Education and Curriculum:
Nutritionandphysical activitylessonsare interactiveandengagingforall students. Nutritionlessons
allow studentstogetinvolvedindemonstrationsorexperimentstoreinforce concepts andbe active.
Physical activityinthe gymisbuiltintoeachvisitwiththe studentstoreinforce conceptssuchasusing
pedometersorparticipatingingroupexercise. Everystudentreceivesaprogrambinderwith
worksheetsforeachnutritionandphysical activitylesson. Weeklygoalsaccompanyeachlessonand
coincide withthe topic(ex:Grains: eat3 whole grainsfor4 days. Pedometers:recordmore than10,000
stepsfor2 days). Weeklygoalsreinforce the lessonsandpromote the applicationof the informationat
home. Goalsare listedinthe programbinderandstudentsare askedtorecord how theirgoal was met
inthe programbook. Each goal earnsa sticker. Meetingthese weeklygoalsisincentivizedwithaGOAL
UniversityDiplomaforeverystudent thatreaches 6of 12 goalsand a GOAL University glow-in-the-dark
wristbandfor studentswhomeet8 of 12 goals. Students’goalsare checkedweeklybythe program
staff and volunteers.Belowthe listof nutritionandphysical activitytopicscoveredinthe program.
Nutrition
 IntroductiontoMyPlate
 Whole Grains
 Fruitsand Vegetables
 Dairyand Calcium
 Protein
 ChoosingHealthyDrinks
 ChoosingHealthyBreakfasts
Physical Activity
 Exercise House (Typesof Exercise)
 RecommendationsforAmountof Physical Activity
 Benefitsof Physical Activity

3.  ReducingScreenTime
 PedometersandAddingSteps
 Group Exercise
 Team andOrganizedSports
 Musclesand StrengthExercises
 Rate of PerceivedExertion(RPE) Scale
Partnershipsand Service Learning:
A keypiece of the G.O.A.L.Universityprogramisourpartnershipwiththe volunteerG.O.A.L.educators.
These educatorsare IndianaUniversitystudents,andtheyare participatinginG.O.A.L.Universityasa
componentof service learningforone of theircollege courses.Partneringwiththese college studentsin
a service learningcapacitycreatesawin-winsituationforeveryoneinvolved.The G.O.A.L.University
program benefitsbyhavingacorps of dedicatedandknowledgeable volunteerstoimplementthe
program.Partneringwiththese studentsalsoallowsustohave a much greaterreachin the community
than we wouldoperatingwithonlyourprogramstaff.We can create enoughteamsof student
educatorsto implementthe programinall elementaryschoolsinthe corporation.The IndianaUniversity
studentsalsobenefitfromthisservice learningopportunityastheyreceive hands-onexperience inthe
communityandgetthe opportunitytoapplythe conceptslearnedinthe classroom.Currently,the
G.O.A.L.Universityprogramhasservice learningpartnershipswiththe IndianaUniversitySchool of
Nursingandthe IndianaUniversitySchool of PublicHealth.These schoolsprovidethisservice learning
opportunityforstudentsenrolledintheircommunityhealthandhealtheducationcourses.
The G.O.A.L.Universityprogramhasalso recently partneredwiththe TimmyFoundationforGlobal
Healthchapterat IndianaUniversitytoprovide volunteeropportunitiesforthe membersof thisstudent
organizationoncampus.Thispartnershipissetupas a volunteeropportunityforstudentsinvolvedwith
the foundationratherthana service learningcomponentof aparticularcourse.
The G.O.A.L.Universityprogramstaff providestrainingforall studenteducators (service learningor
volunteer).The programstaff membersvisitthe collegestudentsintheirclassroomsororganization
meetingsandtrainthemtouse andimplementthe G.O.A.L.Universitycurriculum,activities,and
equipmentandprepare themtomanage classroomsandbehaviorof the elementaryschool students.
The studenteducatorsare giventhe programcurriculumand all equipmentneededforthe program.
Throughoutprogramimplementation,studenteducatorsare supervisedandsupportedbyG.O.A.L.
Universityprogramstaff.The studenteducatorsfilloutweeklyself-evaluationsandsubmitthemtothe
program coordinatorsothe coordinatorcan identifysuccesses,challenges,andpotential changesto
make throughoutthe remainderof the program.Programstaff are alwaysaccessible tothe student
educatorsto answerquestionsandgive advice andsuggestionsforupcomingsessions.

4. Evaluation and Sustainability:
G.O.A.L.University capturesoutcome datausingapre- and post-programsurveytoassessknowledge of
and attitudestowardsnutritionandphysicalactivity amongparticipatingstudents. Evaluationresults
have consistentlyshownthatknowledge andattitudestowardhealthylivinghave improvedamong
participatingstudents.College studenteducatorshave consistentlyreportedapositive experience
workingwiththe programas well,citinghands-onexperience inthe community asanessential
componentof theircollege education. The schools’after-schoolcare staff alsohave reportedpositive
experienceswiththe programandcontinue tosupportitsimplementationattheirsiteseachyear.
The program is self-sustainable,thankstothe continuedsupportof the school corporationandthe
service learningpartnershipswithIndianaUniversity.Eachyear,new college studentsenroll inthe
communityhealthandhealtheducationcourses,providinganew supplyof knowledgeableand
committedvolunteersforthe program.The after-school care ateachelementaryschool providesa
consistentpopulationof studentseach yearas the targetaudience forour program.The equipmentis
storedat an IU Healthfacilitythroughoutthe yearandcan be re-usedforeachnew session.The
program budgetalsoallowsforthe purchase of new equipmentasneeded.