Building Healthy Communities

Building Healthy Communities helps create supportive school environments through healthy eating, physical activity, and promoting the mental health and well-being of students and staff.

A healthier future for Michigan's children

Childhood obesity affects children's health and their school performance. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan founded the Building Healthy Communities program in 2009 to fight childhood obesity and lead children to a healthier future. It's grown into a collaboration among organizations committed to improving the physical and mental health of children.

 

Read about how our program has been improving children's health for 15 years

Building Healthy Communities logo
Kids in a classroom with hands raised

Three programs are available

Schools can choose the Building Healthy Communities program that best suits the needs of their students and staff.

  1. Step Up for School Wellness (K-12)
  2. Elementary School Program
  3. Middle School Program

Who's eligible?

Any public, charter or private nonprofit school in Michigan is eligible regardless of their:

  • Geographic location
  • Participation in other school wellness grants, programs or initiatives
  • Free and reduced-price school meal percentage

Please review each program description for other eligibility information. 

About

To date, the Building Healthy Communities: Step Up for School Wellness program has reached 604 schools and more than 265,000 students. This program is available to any elementary, middle or high school.

How can I learn more?

The Step Up for School Wellness request for applications, also known as RFA, document and website have a detailed program description and information on how to apply for the program.

Applications are being accepted until Sunday, June 30, 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year on the program website.

Program partners

About

To date, the Building Healthy Communities: Step Up for School Wellness program has reached 604 schools and more than 265,000 students. This program is available to any elementary, middle or high school.

How can I learn more?

The Step Up for School Wellness request for applications, also known as RFA, document and website have a detailed program description and information on how to apply for the program.

Applications are being accepted until Sunday, June 30, 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year on the program website.

Program partners
A large group of young kids dancing

Program Benefits

Building Healthy Communities programs educate students through lessons in the classroom and gymnasium while creating an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice.

  • Encourage students to practice lessons learned
  • Provide opportunities for physical activity
  • Improve access to healthy food and beverages
  • Address mental health, trauma and well-being

Building healthy results

Building Healthy Communities has an extensive history of improving children's health in measurable ways. Most notably, the program is proven to significantly reduce obesity, reduce screen time by 19 minutes per day, and three-quarters of children now report that it's easier to pay attention in class.

40%
more fruits and vegetables consumed than the national average
700
more steps taken per day
35
more minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity

Our partners