Promoting Health & Wellness
Promoting Health & Wellness
CAN is committed to promoting health and wellness to youth, parents, and communities in California by providing information, resources, promising practices, and legislation updates to the out-of-school time field.
California has the most extensive system of Expanded Learning programs (after school, before school, and summer learning) in the nation, with over 4,500 sites serving over 900,000 children and youth annually. With strong links to medical, mental health, substance use prevention, intervention, and treatment systems, California’s Expanded Learning programs can build upon their foundation for positive youth development and become vehicles for overall Whole Child Health and Wellness.
CAN’s Health & Wellness priorities include:
- Medical, dental, and vision care.
- Food security, nutrition, and physical activity.
- Mental health, social services, and substance use prevention.
- Quality programs that strengthen protective factors and support positive youth development (PYD) outcomes.
Physical Health and Wellness Initiative
CAN & Partners support the Physical Health & Wellness Initiative, redefining and creating a different paradigm for coaching, youth, and family engagement through place-based activities in the communities where families live. This initiative provides opportunities to convene communities throughout CA to provide resources and support to recreation leaders, site coordinators, community partners, and community members to come together and gain knowledge and skills to support their work with youth in sports and play.
Whole Child Health and Wellness Collaborative
Join an emerging cross-sector convening to create a statewide strategic plan to advance whole child health and wellness!
We have a unique opportunity in California:
Whole Child Health & Wellness Community of Practice
The California AfterSchool Network
is excited to partner with two counties in California to
collaborate and deepen our work with
Whole Child Health and Wellness. With funding
from the California Youth Opioid Response (YOR CA) Grant, CAN and
our Whole Child Health & Wellness Community of Practice will
reflect on local practices and share promising strategies.
Snack & Meal Programs
There are many ways you can provide snack and/or meal options for your afterschool program. CAN has created a list of organizations and resources that can with your snack and meal efforts-check them out today!
Health & Wellness Resources
Out of school time programs support health in many different ways by providing access to nutritious foods, promoting lifelong healthy habits, and keeping students physically fit. Access the resource pages below for promising practices, resource libraries, data and research, free curriculum ideas and so much more!