In Promise communities, we strive to support a “culture of health.” We work to address basic needs while recognizing the value of health care coverage for children and families’ ongoing health and financial security.
of adults in our region do not have health insurance.
Source: US Census S2701
of low-income students in our region changed schools within 160 days, which causes a disruption in their education.
Source: USBE Data Queries
of Utah children and teens do not get regular physical activity.
Source: Data Resource Center for Child Adolescent Health, 2017
more people in our region have seen a dentist in the past year, compared to five years ago.
Source: IBIS
decrease in mobility of refugee students in South Salt Lake Community Schools since the 2014-2015 school year.
Source: Granite Data Warehouse
more low income adults have reported good health compared to 5 years ago.
Source: IBIS
2-1-1, a state-wide resource center powered by the United Ways of Utah, connects callers to the human resources they need to thrive. Each year, over 100,000 calls are made to 2-1-1 with the top service needs being utility service payment assistance, food pantries, and rent assistance. 2-1-1 information specialists then connect callers with other local non-profits, government entities, and other providers that can assist those in need of help.
At Title 1 Schools, 40% or more of the student population qualifies for free and reduced lunch. Our health initiatives team works in cafeterias on two programs. The first is to dispell the myths of school lunch by providing training for parents, kids, teachers, and school lunch staff on the nutritional benefits of the food. Their goal is to increase school-wide participation in lunches to insure all kids are eating a balanced diet. The second program is helping more schools build Smarter Lunchrooms, a scienctifically proven way to create a lunchroom that promotes eating more fruits and vegetables. In partnership with Get Healthy Utah and nutrition students from University of Utah, they are working to train more schools on Smarter Lunchrooms, find proven ways to reduce food waste, and promote healthy eating.
Bringing together businesses leaders, government officials, and other experts, our financial stability network is focusing on how to decrease the negative effects students experience due to an unplanned move related to housing or job instability. They are doing this by focusing on finding ways to increase transition support at new schools and increase the knowledge that renters have about their housing rights.
When students are healthy, they can focus more on their education. Our community schools bring in partners such as Community Nursing Services, Smart Smiles, and Utah Partners for Health to provide kids with immunizations, dentistry work, vision screenings, and general checkups. When these services are provided at the school, it helps families without health insurance, saves parents time so that they don't have to take off work, and connects children with health resources they may not otherwise have.