The Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) Program exists for the primary purpose of creating healthy children and healthy school environments. The CATCH Texas staff will achieve this goal by implementing effective coordinated school health programming (CSHP), using CATCH, in every school in Texas.

Successful implementation of CATCH requires that:

• Every school is educated in the need for and benefits of CATCH.
• Every school is trained to implement all components of CATCH.
• Logistical support is provided before and during the implementation process.
• New and revised CATCH products, training programs and advocacy networks are developed to effectively support the institutionalization of CATCH in all schools.

CATCH is a coordinated school health program which builds an alliance of parents, teachers, child nutrition personnel, school staff, and community partners to teach children and their families how to be healthy for a lifetime. The four CATCH components - Go For Health Classroom Curriculum, CATCH Physical Education, Eat Smart School Nutrition Guide, and family Home Team activities - reinforce positive healthy behaviors throughout a child's day and make it clear that good health and learning go hand in hand.

It has been proven! The CATCH Program has scientifically demonstrated that school environments can be created that effect healthy behavioral changes in children. As published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the CATCH Main Trial (1991-1994) demonstrated that CATCH:

1. reduced total fat and saturated fat content of school lunches;
2. increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during P.E. classes, and;
3. improved students' self-reported eating and physical activity behaviors.

Furthermore, the effects of the CATCH Main trial persisted over three years without continued intervention.

Journal of the American Medical Association - Luepker RV, et al (1996). JAMA, 275(10), 768-76.
(view abstract)

Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine - Nader PR, et al (1999). Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 153(7),
695-704. (view abstract)

Inside or outside of Texas, how to best get started depends on what's happening at your school right now. Readiness to implement CATCH varies from school to school. Some are already coordinating many of their health services and educational programs while other schools have never heard of the concept.

Texas School Communities - Your first step is to contact us toll free at 1-866-346-6163. We will help you identify your available resources, assess your individual needs and personally guide you in a direction best suited to your particular school environment.

Outside of Texas - Schools communities outside of Texas interested in CATCH information, CATCH Training, Implementation Support, or the Science of CATCH, should contact the CATCH Texas office at 1-866-346-6163. Schools interested in CATCH curriculum materials should contact the publisher, FlagHouse, Inc. at 1-800-793-7900.

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