CATCH Champion for March 2008

Jo Ambrose
Youth Programs Coordinator
Illinois Department of Public Health

When did you and your district adopt the CATCH Program and what prompted you to do so?

CATCH debuted in Illinois in January 2000 as part of the Illinois Health and Wellness Initiative funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). This two-year initiative provided funding to all local health departments (LHDs) to implement evidence-based programs for increasing healthy eating and physical activity, tobacco use prevention and the unintentional injury prevention. Four LHDs selected CATCH and in 2004 the program was piloted six schools. Today, through various funding sources CATCH is being implemented in nearly 100 schools statewide.

Describe notable changes since implementing CATCH and how you know CATCH is working.

In the past two years, many schools have been looking for ways to meet the School Wellness Policy requirements and their research has led them to CATCH.

Through our grant reporting requirements, schools are asked to describe the three most notable accomplishments of their CATCH program during the school year. Many schools send pictures of their activities and articles from their local media on their achievements. You can see and feel the excitement and commitment.

Also, through the use of the SOFIT (System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time) tool, we have documented the improvement in the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) percentages as the result of providing CATCH physical education to students. The average MVPA increased from a baseline of 46 percent to 61 percent of class time. The percent of very active physical activity time more than doubled from 15 percent to 30 percent.

What are the keys to your success?

Being able to replicate the science and data behind CATCH through the support of our many partners has made our program successful. Having advocates at all levels: schools and communities, LHDs, universities, IDPH and other state agencies, private health care organizations, professional organizations, legislators, the Governor's Council on Health and Physical Fitness, the Governor's office and the national CATCH staff provides layers of aid and support.

These partners have helped us promote the program statewide. Many have contributed in-kind support and grants to schools for the implementation of CATCH. Others have written and received grants to start the program in their local schools.

What advice can you offer for those just beginning and for those who have already implemented the CATCH Program.

As they say in Texas , “If it ain't fun, it don't get done!

For those just beginning, keep it fun, positive and enjoyable. Celebrate the small changes and achievements. Be sure to inform your students, staff, parents and community members of your successes.

If you have already implemented CATCH, don't forget why CATCH is in your school. Keep focused on the health of the students and their families, the school staff and your community partners through fun and inviting activities.

What was your most significant barrier and how did you overcome the challenge?

In the process of securing schools for our CATCH grants, it has been a challenge to find the right person in the school community to be the champion. Each school/district/community has its own system and/or personnel for determining what programs and curriculums are used. To overcome this challenge, we look to community and professional partners for contacts in the school district or geographical area we are targeting. Typically, they are already supporting the school by some means and have a personal knowledge of potential champions.

What has been the reaction from parents, administration, students and community?

So many times we hear the comment “This program is what we have been looking for and is so badly needed in our school”. Our CATCH training evaluations clearly indicate teachers, staff and administrators are excited about the program and are ready to begin implementing ideas as soon as they return to their schools. We have found that once a school within a district has implemented CATCH, the other schools hear of it and begin to look for ways to also become a CATCH school.

What are your plans for the future? What is your CATCH vision?

Through our partners, IDPH will continue to seek funding to support CATCH in more schools. We will continue to coordinate the training of schools and the expansion of the training staff as necessary. Also, the implementation of CATCH Kids Club after-school program with partners will be explored. IDPH's CATCH vision is to create a network that supports, maintains and sustains quality program implementation for each CATCH school.

Anything else you would like to add?

Believe that you can make a difference if you stay the course toward stopping childhood obesity. Our goal is to help this and future generations become healthy, well educated, productive and successful adult leaders.

Back to Archives

Contact us for more information on CATCH!