OTTAWA -  Do you know an individual, organization or program that goes the ‘extra mile’ to keep kids healthy and active?

Whether you’re a sports coach, teacher, student, community group, advocate, health service provider, volunteer or concerned corporate citizen, your actions can contribute to the health of the children and youth in our community. We want to hear from you!

Tonight on CTV Ottawa’s News at Six, CHEO will kick off its 20-week program focused on helping parents in the community keep their kids healthy and well and out of hospital.

CHEO boasts some of the Canada’s top experts in physical and mental health of children and teens -- passionate people drawn to their professions and to CHEO because they want to help kids be their healthiest. Through the wide reach of CTV, “CHEO Healthy Kids” will help CHEO to share their expertise, providing trustworthy and useful information to parents in the community.

“There will be 70,000 more children and youth in our region in 20 years than there are today, so it will be increasingly important to work to prevent illness and injury, rather than treat it after,” says Alex Munter, president and chief executive officer of CHEO. “The role of the community in keeping children and youth healthy is irreplaceable, which is why CHEO is striving to help connect kids and their families with all the resources they need. We take our role as a leader in children’s health seriously, and we want to inspire others to do the same.”

Starting tonight, CTV will air a weekly “CHEO Healthy Kids” segment looking at children’s mental and physical health. CTV Ottawa’s News at Six anchor Carol Anne Meehan will be broadcasting live from CHEO this evening to kick off the series.

CHEO Healthy Kids will feature CHEO experts and patients discussing some of the simple and affordable things we can all do in our homes, schools, and local communities to make a difference – such as encouraging regular physical activity and looking after kids’ mental health.

The campaign will culminate in an awards ceremony to recognize individuals and organizations who are helping kids in the Ottawa community. The CHEO Healthy Kids Awards will be co-chaired by Mrs. Laureen Harper.

People may apply directly or be nominated for one of these award categories:

• Youth for Youth - Initiatives/programs created by youth, for youth.

• Community Champion - An individual who has really gone the extra mile to encourage the mental or physical health of children and youth.

• Community Program - Corporate, non-profit, or other organizational program or initiative that contributes to the healthy development of children and youth.

• Help for Special Needs - Projects, programs, or individuals that enrich the lives of children and youth who are developmentally delayed, medically challenged, technologically dependent or who require complex or palliative care.

• Connected Care - Partners working together to accomplish more than any one group can do alone to help kids and families be their healthiest.

• Health Advocacy and Public Education - Individual or organization raising visibility for a key issue that impacts the health of children and youth, or influences a change in government policy that will positively benefit kids and families.

Self nomination:

Organizations, programs or individuals are encouraged to self-nominate. This can be done by completing the Online Application Form.

Nominating others:

You are also encouraged to nominate an organization, program or individual. To do so, please complete this Nomination Form. After CHEO has received your nomination form, the nominee will be contacted by CHEO and asked to complete an Application Form. The information provided by the nominee will be used in the evaluation process.

The deadline for applications is January 31, 2014 at 5 pm. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be honoured on March 26, 2014 at the CHEO Healthy Kids awards ceremony. Winners will receive a commemorative plaque and a monetary reward of $500 to be reinvested into their program.

 

For more information, please contact Dennise Albrecht, Director of Partnerships and Advocacy at CHEO, at 613-737-7600 ext 2220, or Alyssa Nader at 613-737-7600 ext 3785.