ARcare and the Arkansas Delta States Health Network
- Project Title: Let's Go! 5-2-1-0
- Grant Period: 2016-2019
- Program Representative Interviewed: Carrie Fortune, Director of Grants Management, ARcare
- Location: Augusta, AR
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Program Overview: ARcare, a Federally Qualified Health Center, partnered with four other
healthcare providers to form the Arkansas Delta States Health Network. Since 2008, rates of childhood
overweight and obesity have consistently remained at 40% in the area served by network members. Using the Let's Go model, the Network teaches
children in schools, afterschool enrichment programs, Head Start, and other environments. The curriculum
employs strategies like the 5-2-1-0 healthy habits message: 5 or more fruits and vegetables, 2 hours or less
of recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks, more water. The
program includes hands-on activities and real-time assessments of student content mastery.
ARcare and the Arkansas Delta States Health Network also included a training component, targeting teachers and school administrators, as well as reaching out to local residents for community participation. The outreach included members from the local health department, the mayor, county judge, cooperative extension office, the library, and the chamber. The network members partnered with school based health centers to empower school nurses or wellness committees to assess the needs and adapt the 5-2-1-0 model to each specific school.