Engaging Middle Schools Program

The Building Healthy Communities: Middle School Program is available to schools serving students in 5th, 6th or 7th grade. Donor Name: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan State: Michigan County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program recognizes that Michigan schools, students and staff continue to need physical, mental, and emotional health support. This program is helping meet these needs by encouraging a whole-child approach to health, while recognizing the unique needs of every school community across the state. This includes a variety of instructional options that meet the needs of both in-person and virtual learning environments, as well as a flexible implementation model that allows your school to prioritize investments in areas of need such as mental health, self-care and physical activity resources. Building Healthy Communities: Engaging Middle Schools through Project Healthy Schools partners with schools to champion a sustainable culture of wellness throughout the school’s community. Through education, policy and environmental change, this program tailors health and wellness initiatives to the unique needs of each school. Healthy habits start young, and this program helps establish the knowledge and behaviors needed for a healthy lifestyle that lasts a lifetime. The goals of the program are for students to: Eat more fruits and vegetables Choose less sugary food and beverages Eat less fast and fatty food Be active every day Spend less entertainment time in front of screens. Eligibility Criteria  Public, charter or private nonprofit schools in Michigan are eligible. Building Healthy Communities is available to all Michigan schools regardless of their: Free and reduced-price school meals percentage Geographic location Schools taking part in other healthy eating, nutrition education, physical activity or physical education programs are eligible. Schools that applied in prior years but weren’t selected are encouraged to apply again. Middle schools must serve students in the fifth, sixth or seventh grade to be eligible. Schools that already have Project Healthy Schools aren’t eligible. Schools that previously received a Building Healthy Communities program aren’t eligible. For more information, visit BCBSM.