Who We Are
Building Healthy Communities: Reducing Health Disparities in Elementary Schools, is a district-based program focused on addressing the social determinants of health that have contributed to wide disparities in many communities across Michigan. COVID-19 and limited access to health education, healthy foods, and exercise opportunities have impacted some communities substantially more than others. Our program works with elementary school leaders to provide the necessary resources to facilitate a healthier school environment, prevent chronic disease, and improve student mental health. For more than a decade, the Building Healthy Communities grant has encouraged children and families to be active and eat healthy – and in doing so, has reduced childhood obesity and increased school performance for thousands of students.
Educating students through classroom lessons and physical education curriculum
The Building Healthy Communities program is a collaborative partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, and Wayne State University’s Center for Health and Community Impact. We work together to offer a healthy school transformation opportunity to elementary and middle schools in Michigan.
Building Healthy Communities launched in 2009 and since then, over 500 schools have participated in the elementary school program and have experienced increased physical and emotional health, academic achievement, interest in healthy choices and activities, and school policies that support student health.
Partners
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.
