Vassalboro, Winslow: After-School programs win award

Front row, from left to right:, Jennifer Lizotte, administrative assistant, and Tiffany Carrigan, director of programming. Back row, Jim Fortunato, and Samantha Bernatchez, director of operations. (contributed photo)

Jim Fortunato, Let’s Go! Northern Kennebec County Coordinator, Northern Light Inland Hospital, has awarded the Winslow and Vassalboro Before/After School Programs with a Gold Recognition for the 2018-19 school year. This is the highest level of recognition for sites that have achieved all five priority strategies of the 5210 Let’s Go! Program.

The 5210 Let’s Go!, introduced in 2012, is committed to promoting policy and environmental changes at childcare programs, schools, out-of-school programs, health care practices, and workplaces. The program’s multi-setting 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.

The 5210 Let’s Go! awards bronze, silver and gold awards to programs who support and collaborate with them around healthy eating and increased physical activity. A Bronze award reflects a site’s implementing the program’s five evidence-based priority strategies. Silver acknowledges a site that has communicated these changes to parents and family members. Gold, the highest level of recognition, is reserved for sites that have written all five priority strategies into policy or have school staff participate on the district’s wellness committee.