More third graders will have a chance to learn healthy habits that can have a lasting effect on their health and their lives. Healthy Héroes, a wellness program that helps kids and their families to develop healthy exercise and nutrition habits, is expanding. This year, Healthy Héroes had pilot programs at schools in Central Falls and Pawtucket.

Tufts Health Plan developed and funds Healthy Héroes. For the recent programs, we brought together local community organizations, including the American Heart Association, the University of Rhode Island SNAP-Ed program, the Pawtucket YMCA and the Empowerment Factory. These groups provided fun games and activities to help kids learn to make better food choices and be more active. Kids earned prizes. They also had a class party to celebrate the progress they made during the 8-week program.