›› We Can!

What is We Can? We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition) is a turn-key, science-based new program designed by the National Institutes of Health for parents of 7-13 years old (http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov). We Can! provides parents with the knowledge, skills and support they need to help their children stay at a healthy weight by improving food choices, increasing physical activity and reducing screen time. We Can! reinforces the data gathered in the Lexington community that parents need simple, easily accessible information to guide their children’s nutrition and physical activity behaviors.

The Partnership for a Fit KY is spreading We Can! across the state of KY through faith-based organizations, work places, clinics and Cooperative Extension and Health Department programs.

What happens in a We Can! session? In each We Can! session there is:

• Clear, practical info
• Sharing among parents
• Interactive activities
• Simple cooking demo
• Physical activity
• Commitment from each parent to try something new and report back next week

How can my community get involved? A We Can! Parents Handbook and Leader’s Guidebook provides communities the tools they need to lead this series. Trainings to become a KY We Can! leader are across the state in locations that have at least 10 participants. Contact Anita Courtney, We Can! State Coordinator, to sign up for a training.

How do I recruit participants for a We Can! series? Recruitment for the We Can! series can be challenging. We recommend going to places where parents naturally convene: Wednesday night faith based groups and work places with mandatory lunch breaks.

We Can! leader training sessions

We Can!, designed by the National Institutes of Health, gives parents the knowledge, skills and support they need to help their children (7-13 years old) eat better and move more. This training will teach you great tools and tips on how to lead an exciting 4-week series of 1-hour sessions for parents easily and effectively.

You’ll receive:

• Leader’s guide
• Parent’s handbook
• Promotional tools

Trainings to become a KY We Can! leader are held across the state in locations that have at least 20 participants. To organize a We Can! Leaders Workshop in your community, contact Anita Courtney ( anitac@qx.net), We Can! KY Coordinator.