Relevance
Heroes 4-Health (H4-H), youth leadership and healthy living program, empowers teens as youth health ambassadors to grow their knowledge in leadership skills, presentation skills, and healthy living practices, both nutritional and physical activity. This National 4-H Council-funded initiative requires youth to engage in eight hours of nutrition and related wellness instruction to be considered as direct contact. Other opportunities to engage youth are kick-off events, end-of-program celebration events, and family engagement sessions. Family engagement sessions introduce Heroes 4-Health to the community and families of the participants.
Response
Heroes4Health directly reached almost 1400 youth through eight hours of programming in the 2020-2021 grant year. Another 300-youth participated by completing less than 6 hours of programming. H4-H This year, 50 teens from across 13 different Texas counties were trained as youth health ambassadors. The teen health ambassadors work with a County Agent to plan how the program will be implemented within their communities. In most counties, the teen ambassadors conduct the instruction of the curriculum to their peers and community members.
Results
Forty-four partnerships were formed over the course of the grant year. 15 partnerships were with faith-based organizations. 10 Partnerships were with schools and school districts, while eight organizations were other youth-serving organizations. Seven partnerships were with community groups. In the ‘other’ category, four partnerships were listed.