The “Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0” program has recently been refunded in Aroostook County by Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with Community Educator Katharine Putnam of Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) at the helm.

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Putnam began her role this Spring. Her work has been focused with kids in childcare settings, recreation centers, out of school programs and youth-focused events by promoting healthy eating and physical activity. With schools back in session, it’s a great time to implement Let’s Go!

Let’s Go! is a nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program that reaches children and families where they live, learn, work and play. Let’s Go! is committed to changing environments and policies at child care sites, schools, out of school programs, health care practices, workplaces and communities. The program’s multi-sector approach, daily 5-2-1-0 message (five or more fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of screen time, one hour or more of physical activity and zero sugary drinks) and 10 evidence-based strategies are used to effect change across the state of Maine. Strong leadership from The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center and collaboration across health systems and community health coalitions contribute to the program’s success.

5-2-1-0 Goes to School is designed to be easy and efficient to weave into your busy day. We help you look at your current successes and then build upon them. We guide you in connecting all of your efforts back to your community, creating greater impact on the families you serve.

Let’s Go! focuses on wellness work in the districts. The U.S Congress passed Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in December 2015, reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This bipartisan legislation replaces No Child Left Behind as the federal education legislation that funds and provides the framework for elementary and secondary education in the United States.

Let’s Go!’s top five strategies are as follows:

Provide healthy choices for snacks and celebrations; limit unhealthy choices.

  1. Provide water and low fat milk; limit or eliminate sugary beverages.
  2. Provide non-food rewards.
  3. Provide opportunities for children to get physical activity every day.
  4. Limit recreational screen time.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about what Let’s Go! can do for your school, or any youth serving program, please contact Katharine Putnam at (207) 554-4110 or kputnam@acap-me.org.

This information was submitted to us as part of a press release. If you would like to share your community news or event with our audience, please email newspi@townsquaremedia.com.

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