Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 announced that 23 sites in Aroostook County were recognized as Sites of Distinction for introducing or sustaining healthy changes in collaboration with the Let’s Go! program.
Let’s Go! Aroostook, part of the Aroostook County Action Program, presented certificates in a ceremony at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle.
Honorees included ACAP Early Care and Education Centers in Houlton (Bird and North streets), Bronze recognition; RSU 50/ACAP Preschool Partnership Program, Susan Sewell’s Day Care, Houlton Rec After School, Just for Kids and Katahdin Elementary School 21st CCLC, each receiving Silver; Morgan’s Munchkins and Susan Sewell’s Day Care After School Program, Gold level; and Houlton Pediatrics, Distinguished.
“This is the fourth year we’ve officially recognized sites for their hard work. I couldn’t be more proud of the progress these sites have made. Sites are providing healthy, high energy snack choices, finding fun, creative ways to increase activity levels, and many have completely removed televisions from their spaces,” said Dr. Victoria Rogers, Director of the Let’s Go! program. Established in 2012, the Let’s Go! Recognition Program identifies and celebrates schools, out-of-school or after-school programs, child-care programs and healthcare practices for their commitment to improving the health of all children.
“While Let’s Go! strives for policy change, we recognize three levels of change that occur on that journey,” said Rogers. “Bronze reflects a site implementing the program’s five priority strategies; Silver acknowledges a site that has communicated these changes to parents and family members; and Gold, the highest level of recognition, is reserved for sites that have written all five priority strategies into policy. A total of 460 sites are being recognized this year, a 25 percent increase from 2014.”
Let’s Go! Aroostook, a program of Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. (ACAP), is extremely proud of this year’s sites of distinction. “Each site has worked hard this past year to ensure children in their programs are provided healthy options and activities,” explained Colette Thompson, Let’s Go! Aroostook program coordinator. Let’s Go!’s five priority strategies are as follows: 1) Limit unhealthy choices for snacks and celebrations and provide healthy choices; 2) Limit or eliminate sugary beverages and provide water; 3) Prohibit the use of food as a reward; 4) Provide opportunities for children to get physical activity every day; and 5) Limit recreational screen time.
Healthcare sites are recognized for obesity prevention program components.
