Recruitment
For the 2024-2025 school year, we will be implementing the Building Healthy Communities program in Michigan school districts. Using state and national data, we’re focusing on communities that have rampant disparities in health, education, and economic opportunities.
Building Healthy Communities is a school-based program focused on addressing the social determinants of health that have contributed to wide disparities in many communities across Michigan. The program offers schools resources to facilitate a healthier environment, prevent chronic disease, and improve the physical and mental health of children.
Our 2024-2025 program participants can look forward to implementing the below eight components. To start the application process click on the below button.
Click on the image above to view the full program description.
Program Highlights
Program Support Details
Staff Support
- A dedicated BHC staff coordinator for every district elementary school
- $1,000 Stipend for an on-site Healthy School Champion in each school
- $1,000 stipend for a Healthy Kids Club Leader in each school
- Learn more about staff support and paid in-school positions
Professional Development
- Professional development options to support active PE
- Sample Menu of entire-school/district professional development (e.g., social emotional learning, trauma sensitive schools, mindfulness, teacher self-care)
Equipment Packages
- Enormous physical education equipment package to support traditional
and adaptive PE instruction - Fully-stocked active recess cart and equipment
- Lifetime guarantee on all PE & recess equipment
Family & Community Resources
- Healthy@Home resources to share through any family/school communication method
“Healthy Tips of the Day” announcements for in-school or social media - Support for engaging school and community stakeholders
- Learn more about family resources and see sample parent tips
Curricular Resources & Activities
- Engaging healthy eating lessons, easy to implement via the BHC website
- Virtual physical activity breaks for classrooms
- Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC) for all PE teachers and curricular support for ensuring inclusive PE
District Wellness Support
- Food Service Director support for school meal systems
- Support for meeting MDE requirements for Local School Wellness Policies
Healthy Kids Club
- Funds provided to supply healthy snacks for club sessions
- Physical activity guides, Mileage Club supplies, and active games provided for club sessions
- Learn more about Healthy Kids Clubs and see a sample session plan
Program Sustainability
- Lifetime access to all BHC trainings, curriculum and resources
- Staff support for BHC alumni schools
- Mini-grants for sustained program implementation
The Building Healthy Communities Program is undergoing an exciting transition within our broader school health initiative. We will not be accepting new applications for the elementary school program at this time; instead, we are expanding our impact through Building Healthy Communities: Step Up for School Wellness, a comprehensive K–12 program designed to support school-wide wellness initiatives across all grade levels.
The Building Healthy Communities: Step Up For School Wellness program builds on the success of our elementary model while offering:
- Expanded grade-level inclusion (K–12)
- Many additional healthy resources available for schools to select
- Greater opportunities for school-wide engagement and impact
While we are no longer accepting new applications for the Elementary School Program, we are proud of the many schools and communities that have participated and will continue to support our alumni schools through ongoing access to program resources and materials on this site.
This transition reflects our continued commitment to supporting healthier school communities through innovative, scalable, and inclusive programming. We are grateful for the impact of the Elementary School Program and excited for what lies ahead with Step Up for School Wellness.
For New Schools:
If your school is interested in launching or strengthening a wellness initiative, we encourage you to apply for Step Up for School Wellness resources. This program is now the primary pathway for schools looking to join the Building Healthy Communities network.
For BHC Alumni Schools:
We remain committed to our alumni schools and invite you to continue utilizing the resources available on this website to sustain the healthy school environment you built during your year of BHC programing.
BHC alumni schools are also eligible to apply for additional support! Consider applying for Step Up for School Wellness resources related to mental health and social-emotional learning to expand or deepen your school wellness efforts.
Click on the image above to view the full program description.
