CATCH Global Foundation is a non-profit that delivers Whole Child health programming to help schools boost students’ physical and mental wellbeing.
The mission of CATCH Global Foundation is to improve children’s health worldwide by developing, disseminating and sustaining the CATCH platform in collaboration with researchers at UTHealth. The Foundation links underserved schools and communities to the resources necessary to create and sustain healthy change for future generations.
Schools across Michigan will be able to receive high-quality health and wellness programming thanks to a generous $481,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to CATCH Global Foundation, expanding the reach of the CATCH Michigan project, which was piloted last year.
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. This latest Health Fund grant will build on the success of the pilot year of the CATCH Michigan project, which involved 16 schools and laid the groundwork for a community-driven, scalable, and sustainable model for expanding CATCH Whole Child programming in Michigan.
“As schools and communities continue to cope with COVID, Whole Child efforts that promote kids’ physical and mental wellbeing are critically needed,” said CATCH Founder and CEO Duncan Van Dusen. “We look forward to partnering with school districts and community-based organizations around the state to guide them in implementing CATCH to support students’ health and learning.”
The grant brings Whole Child programming to K-8 schools across the state by building a network of local ambassadors and guides who will provide implementation training and technical assistance for years to come. CATCH’s unique coordination framework features embedded, school-wide Social & Emotional Learning culture building alongside activities and resources to teach and reinforce healthy eating, physical activity, and other positive health behavior adoption.
Learn more about the CATCH Michigan project here: https://catch.org/catch-michigan