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Letter from our CEO
Dear Friends,
For nearly 20 years, Healthier Generation has envisioned a world where our children live healthier lives.
As we step into 2025, navigating significant changes in national leadership, our core commitments remain unwavering. We are dedicated to supporting educators and caregivers in fostering healthier environments for everyone, enhancing access to nutrition and physical activity, advancing vaccine education, and promoting initiatives that strengthen social-emotional resilience and mental health. Our values of inclusivity and respect for diversity continue to be the foundation of our mission.
As a leader, my commitment to you is that our decisions and actions continue to reflect our purposeful, deliberate approach to advancing equitable whole child health. In 2024, we embodied this approach by actively listening, continuously learning, and confidently leading in partnership with local leaders.
Some points of pride:
- We recognized a record-breaking 879 schools across 30 states as America’s Healthiest Schools for advancing the health and well-being of students, staff, and families.
- Kohl’s, through Kohl’s Cares, announced a 3-year, $5 million reinvestment in our Kohl’s Healthy at Home national family health initiative, expanding the work to include community-based engagement strategies in Kentucky, Arizona, and Texas.
- In response to community requests and needs, Healthier Generation and Kaiser Permanente created 14 new evidence-informed resources to promote food security, social-emotional health, staff well-being, and tobacco prevention, and distributed $300,000 in mini grants to districts to support projects to improve student and staff mental health.
- We grew our impact in rural communities across North Carolina, continuing to promote student vaccinations in Bertie and Robeson Counties, and reaching over 1,000 families through nutrition education and food distribution events in Northampton County.
- Our staff hosted in-person and virtual gatherings with dozens of advocates and practitioners, forging stronger partnerships, new collaborations, and a renewed commitment to our shared vision – healthy, happy kids.
Our work is made possible through collaboration with the dedicated educators who form the heart of our school communities, families who foster nurturing environments at home, and our founders, donors, and philanthropic supporters. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to advancing equitable whole child health.
As we enter our 20th year and take stock of the systemic headwinds to children’s health, well-being, and education, we stand firm in our commitment to our foundational principles. We will continue to ensure our approach aligns with the latest scientific evidence. We will continue to prioritize support for populations and communities that have experienced historic disinvestment. And together, we will continue to drive meaningful change and create a brighter future for children and families.
I believe we were made for this moment.
Kathy Higgins, Healthier Generation CEO
Kathy presents Greg Longstreet, CEO of Del Monte Foods, with the 2024 Corporate Hero Award at the America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit.
Healthy Homes
The behaviors that children practice at home can set the stage for lifelong habits that support their physical, mental, and social-emotional health. Healthier Generation collaborates with supporters like Kohl’s, through Kohl’s Cares, and YouTube Kids to foster family health at home.
Promoting Youth Well-Being Beyond Stigma and Stereotypes
We know that education, including our stories, and representation, all make a difference in being seen.
AAPI Youth Rising
In observance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Healthier Generation published four Kohl’s Healthy at Home family activities in Mandarin and Nepali, working closely with translators with expertise in multigenerational family services and community organizations to ensure cultural competence and accessibility. These resources anchored a multimedia campaign focused on youth well-being and the challenges and cultural strengths families navigate in many AANHPI communities, with the goal of bridging gaps between unmet social-emotional needs and life-saving family and community support.
We also hosted a virtual history lesson created by student-led group AAPI Youth Rising to improve historical and cultural representation in classrooms and homes nationwide. The lesson explores historical events and heroes while breaking down stereotypes and stigma about mental health.
On May 23, Healthier Generation announced the premiere of AAPI Youth Rising virtual lesson, “One Day of AAPI History,” with support from Kohl’s, through Kohl’s Cares.
Building Healthy Habits with Wearable Technology
As families navigate options in the rapidly expanding category of wearable technology, Healthier Generation is working with industry leaders to ensure these products support whole child health. In August, we released a tip sheet to help parents and caregivers encourage healthy wearable technology use for kids, including guidance on assessing pros and cons and setting boundaries.
In November, Fitbit announced the launch of a suite of Daily Quests developed by Healthier Generation’s experts. These mini challenges, which are displayed on the company’s smartwatch product for children, promote positive habits to enhance physical, mental, and social-emotional health.
“By making wellness activities enjoyable and varied, these quests encourage curiosity, resilience, and a positive approach to health,” says Bethany Younkers, Director of Whole Child Health. “Rather than focusing on performance, they offer opportunities for kids to build a broad foundation of healthy habits that can grow with them.”
Bethany Younkers, Director of Whole Child Health at Healthier Generation, is part of a team providing guidance to parents and caregivers making decisions around wearable technology.
Supporting Caregivers with “Ask a Doctor”
From offering tips on well-child visits to sharing up-to-date information on routine and recommended childhood vaccines, Healthier Generation’s “Ask a Doctor” blog series provides caregivers with evidence-based resources in an easy-to-read, Q&A-style format.
The series, which launched in fall 2023, features Dr. Jessica Reggi, a board-certified pediatrician and Healthier Generation’s National Advisor for Whole Child Health. Dr. Reggi breaks down the latest guidance from trusted sources on a variety of health topics – namely childhood vaccinations.
“We strive to provide caregivers with accessible, accurate information because many of us understand the limited time and energy parents have to sift through resources when making healthcare decisions for their families,” Dr. Reggi says. “As a pediatrician and mother, I want caregivers to know that vaccines save lives and are necessary to protect children from life-threatening illnesses. It’s our goal to provide answers to their questions that will alleviate their fears and concerns.”
To address the need for culturally responsive resources, Healthier Generation launched Spanish-language versions of three blog posts in the series, which cover the HPV vaccine, well-child visits, and tips for communicating about vaccines with loved ones. The series has also expanded to Healthier Generation social media in the form of short videos and graphics.
“On-time vaccinations prevent severe symptoms of an illness, complications or hospitalization, and protect students from disease outbreaks,” Dr. Reggi says. “When children are healthy and fully vaccinated for their age, they spend more time in the classroom learning and developing social-emotional skills. Vaccines provide peace of mind for students, caregivers, educators, and communities.”
“Parents and caregivers need accessible, accurate information when making healthcare decisions for their families,” Dr. Reggi says. “As a pediatrician and mother, I want caregivers to know that vaccines save lives and are necessary to protect children from life-threatening illnesses. It’s our goal to provide answers to their questions that will alleviate their fears and concerns.”
Healthy Schools
Healthier Generation recognizes the vital role schools play in creating welcoming learning environments where everyone can thrive. Through innovative programs like America’s Healthiest Schools and The Walking Classroom, Healthier Generation is helping schools advance staff and student health.
Celebrating an All-Star in Wellness and Inclusive Practices
Murray Elementary, an America’s Healthiest Schools All-Star in Murray, Kentucky, is earning local recognition for its approach to student wellness. The school excels in fostering positive behavior, addressing chronic health conditions, and offering individualized support for all students, including those with special needs.
For students needing extra guidance, the school offers the ROAR program (Recognize, Organize, Act, and Reward). Teachers and counselors in the program work together on a Check & Connect system, where students track their daily behavior. Each day starts with a staff check-in to set a positive tone and ends with a “Let’s See How You Did” meeting to review progress and reward achievements. This system builds confidence through setting and achieving attainable goals, gradually raising expectations as students achieve milestones.
The school’s playground is fully accessible, equipped with a special swing and ramps for wheelchair access. A smaller, quieter playground is also available for students needing a calmer space. These inclusive practices ensure that all students have opportunities to engage in physical play with their peers. The presence of buddy benches on the playground further encourages friendship and inclusion, as students are taught to invite others to join in play.
Murray Elementary’s commitment to health services extends beyond the school grounds. The school utilizes Home Hospital Services to ensure that students who are recovering from surgery or other medical conditions remain connected to their education. When students are ready for visitors, teachers make home visits to work through lessons, providing continuity in learning and ensuring a smooth transition back to school when the student is ready. This service underscores the school’s belief that every student deserves access to education, regardless of the challenges they may face.
Students at Murray Elementary School in Kentucky practice inclusion at their playground’s ‘Buddy Bench.’
“Our Wellness Committee and our entire school team are continuously working to improve the overall well-being of students, families and staff. We love implementing new ideas and programs that address everyone’s physical and social-emotional health. When you have a passionate team of educators working together to make a difference in our school and community, great things happen! Everyone knows their actions create our positive school environment and their dedication leads to the success of our students!”
Denise Whitaker
Principal
Murray Elementary School
Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools with Del Monte Foods
Healthier Generation and Del Monte Foods are collaborating to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and family connections around shared meals through the Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools initiative. To date, this effort has reached nearly 10,000 schools and over 7.6 million children and families.
During National School Breakfast Week, we visited Minadeo Elementary School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a taste test activity where students sampled a breakfast dish prepared with canned pears. A whopping 84 percent of children voted for the new dish, which has since been added to the district menu.
At the America’s Healthiest Schools Leaders Summit in October, Healthier Generation presented Del Monte Foods with the 2024 Corporate Hero Award. This recognition is awarded annually to a company that has demonstrated extraordinary effort to advance whole child health equity, bold leadership in promoting proven public health solutions, and innovation in creating and fostering positive change on behalf of families and communities.
Together with Healthier Generation, Del Monte Foods, and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Public Schools celebrated National School Breakfast Week with a student taste test.
Supporting Equitable Practices for Tobacco-Free Schools
Building on our original collaboration with Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Healthier Generation continues to support tobacco and vaping prevention in schools through supportive discipline, district-wide policy implementation, and culturally responsive approaches to help students recover from nicotine addiction.
Healthier Generation’s Tobacco-Free District Model Policy, interactive Policy Builder and Implementation Checklist, housed on our Tobacco-Free Resource Hub, help schools to foster smoke- and vape-free learning environments, improving health among students and staff alike. Using tools like these, 171 schools qualified for recognition as America’s Healthiest Schools in the Promoting Tobacco-Free Schools topic area.
Healthier Generation staff like Dr. Jessica Reggi, National Advisor for Whole Child Health, frequently present about our work at conferences for advocates and practitioners.
“Our presence at events such as the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition spreads awareness of the initiatives schools and districts are undertaking to provide developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive tobacco prevention education and cessation support,” Dr. Reggi says. “In conversations with schools, public health departments, state agencies, and health advocates, we have identified a clear need for resources and support for districts and organizations across the country who are working to support their students in living tobacco-free and vaping-free lives.”
Boosting Student and Staff Health with Thriving Schools
In partnership with Kaiser Permanente, Healthier Generation’s program managers and content experts are working with schools and districts to identify areas of strength and opportunity and implement best practices to advance health and learning.
Over the past year, Healthier Generation and Kaiser Permanente have created 14 new evidence-informed resources to promote food security, social-emotional health, staff well-being, and tobacco prevention. We also distributed $300,000 in mini grants to districts to support projects to improve student and staff mental health.
We collaborated with experts to revise the School Climate module within the Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment to align with current research. The updated module focuses on safety and preparedness, school and classroom environments, school engagement, and student supports.
Finally, our staff provided nearly 200 professional learning opportunities, including a four-part series, called Prioritizing Staff Well-Being Among School & District Staff, Educators & Administrators, that reached over 2,000 registrants from 43 states.
In fact, there has been a boon in staff wellness for schools working with Healthier Generation and Kaiser Permanente. Employees at Salem-Keizer School District for example are finding that their 28 new wellness spaces "provide a warm, welcoming, inclusive, and calming place,” says Allison Silbernagel, Program Associate for Salem-Keizer School District, attributing the transformation to the “generosity of Kaiser Permanente & Healthier Generation.”
Sacramento City Unified School District Student Mental Health Committee members worked with Healthier Generation to improve mental health supports for their peers. This effort was made possible with a Kaiser Permanente mini grant.
Addressing Chronic Disease in South Carolina
According to Diabetes-Free SC, children in South Carolina have a higher lifelong risk for developing diabetes than in any other state. Food insecurity exacerbates this risk, affecting more than 100,000 children in the state.
To address an increase in the number of children diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, especially among Black teenagers, DFSC partnered with Healthier Generation to engage with more than 1,000 schools across the state to promote physical activity and healthy eating.
In 2024, results of this effort included 8 new school gardens, state-wide trainings and webinars, district-wide adoption of The Walking Classroom, increased usage of the South Carolina Healthy Schools Assessment, stronger district-community partnerships, and 76 new America’s Healthiest Schools – the largest number of schools recognized in any year in the state of South Carolina.
A student at Lee High School in Lee County School District in South Carolina prepares the planting soil for the school garden.
Improving the School Nutrition Environment with The Campbell’s Company
In the third year of our partnership with The Campbell’s Company and their signature program, Full Futures, Healthier Generation supports an array of community partners to improve the school nutrition environment at three districts across the country. During the 2023-24 school year, Full Futures reached over 12,000 students, caregivers, and school staff across Camden, NJ and Charlotte, NC and expanded to a third site in Hanover, PA. Learn more about our Year 3 highlights here.
Across program sites, the school districts and partners work together to support the four pillars of Full Futures: culture, infrastructure, nutrition education, and food access, so that all children are well nourished and ready to thrive at school and in life.
At the Camden City School District (CCSD), Full Futures made significant strides to support menu change and nutrition education. CCSD’s School Nutrition Team hosted monthly farmers’ markets to connect communities with fresh, local produce and resources, distributing 37,000 pounds of food to more than 750 families. Additionally, two youth leadership and advocacy programs engaged students in food preparation, gardening, and promoting healthy eating and sustainability among their peers.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the strong partnerships we’ve built to support the children of Camden,” said Arlethia Brown, Senior Director of School Nutrition, Camden City School District. “Together we’re proving that school meals are opportunities for growth, learning, and well-being; they’re a foundation for brighter futures.”
In its second year of the Full Futures initiative, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and their partners continued to support culinary and agriculture education for students of all ages. Through student field trips, internships, and hands-on cooking lessons, 1,500 students made informed food choices, developed culinary skills, and learned the importance of utilizing sustainable growing systems like aquaponics and hydroponics. Family Nutrition Night events also educated students and their caregivers about healthy eating habits, providing free produce from a pop-up farmers market.
“Schools are community hubs that play an essential role in feeding and caring for students and families. Our district and nonprofit partners are the core of Full Futures, working together to make a lasting impact on the school community.”
-- Kate Barrett, President of The Campbell’s Foundation
Camden City School District students participate in a Cooking Matters lesson.
Campbell’s and Healthier Generation staff celebrate Full Futures Charlotte’s efforts.
Healthy Communities
Healthier Generation leverages evidence-informed strategies and collaborations with supporters like JCPenney and Novo Nordisk to strengthen community solutions to critical issues from food security to health literacy.
Cultivating Food and Nutrition Access In North Carolina
Healthier Generation is improving food and nutrition security in North Carolina in collaboration with local partners and Novo Nordisk, a leading global healthcare company. The goal of the Healthier Generation, Healthier North Carolina initiative is to support community-driven solutions to prevent chronic disease in rural communities, while building partnerships to expand food access for students and their caregivers.
In May 2024, Northampton County Schools and Healthier Generation teamed up to host the We F.E.E.D. (Food, Empowerment, Education, Direction) Health Fair at Central Elementary School in Jackson, North Carolina. “Having events on school property provides families and students with easy access to resources to support their health and well-being. When schools are the hub for the community, students can find assistance quicker,” says Shahnee Thompson, project manager with Healthier Generation.
The fair included a groundbreaking ceremony for a community garden where students, staff, caregivers, and the community will collaborate to nurture crops. The NC Cooperative Extension, Healthier Generation, and Northampton County Schools helped to facilitate and contribute to the groundbreaking. “It’s been a yearlong journey and we’re very excited for this opportunity for our schools, our students and our community,” says Sherita Cobb, executive director of student support services with Northampton County Schools.
An attendee gathers vegetables and resources at the health fair.
Advancing Vaccine Access and Equity for Children
Healthier Generation continues to promote vaccine equity locally and nationally. In 2024, with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we convened a Childhood Vaccine Partnership Group with school districts, health departments, and community organizations In Bertie County, North Carolina, to address barriers to vaccine access and uptake. As part of this effort, we supported in-school vaccine clinics held by Albemarle Regional Health Services and Bertie County Schools to offer required and recommended vaccines to students during the school day. The success of the initial event led to two additional clinics.
“Many families face barriers like transportation issues or limited access to healthcare facilities, which can delay or prevent students from receiving essential vaccinations,” says Julie Hill, lead school nurse with Bertie County Schools. “By hosting clinics on campus, we make it easier for students to get vaccinated without disrupting their parents’ work schedules.”
In June, Healthier Generation brought together experts for an in-person convening focused on advancing vaccine equity through school and community engagement. Participants included leaders from School-Based Health Alliance, HealthyWomen, Learning First Alliance, National Association of School Nurses, Association of Immunization Managers, Unity Consortium, National Council of Negro Women, and Vaccinate Your Family. Together, we reviewed recent trends and developments related to childhood immunization and identified collaborative strategies to leverage existing resources, networks, and expertise to increase our impact.
In October 2024, we hosted a virtual conversation with Global Vaccine Ambassador Julissa Soto, who shared culturally responsive strategies to increase community vaccine education and uptake. Julissa discussed effective approaches to debunk misinformation and disinformation, the importance of cultural brokers, and her unique approach to increasing routine and recommended childhood vaccines among Hispanic and Latino communities.
Our work to ensure equitable access to childhood vaccinations is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Merck.
In this webinar, Julissa Soto, CEO and founder of Julissa Soto Latino Health Equity Consulting and Dr. Jessica Reggi, Whole Child Health National Advisor at Healthier Generation, share culturally responsive strategies for increasing community vaccine education and uptake.
Healthier Generation staff members joined by vaccine equity partners in June 2024.
Supporting “Walk, Listen, Learn” with JCPenney Communities Foundation
In 2023, JCPenney Communities Foundation committed $300,000 to bring The Walking Classroom’s innovative “Walk, Listen, and Learn” methodology to dozens of new schools and out-of-school-time programs over three years. In its first 2 years, this effort provided over 3,400 WalkKits to schools and out-of-school time sites in 65 communities, reaching 20,400 students.
To kick off the second year of the grant, JCPenney invited NBA legend Shaquille “Shaq” O'Neal and participants from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas to a back-to-school event in Mesquite, Texas. Shaq shared his own experience as a youth and words of encouragement to the summer school campers, who received a set of WalkKits.
“Educators regularly report that after implementing The Walking Classroom, students demonstrate more focused minds and settled bodies—leading to improved mood and better behavior and engagement in the classroom,” said Healthier Generation CEO Kathy Higgins. “With JCPenney’s continued commitment to bringing The Walking Classroom to communities, we will keep setting teachers and students up for success in the classroom and beyond.”
(L to R) Kathy Higgins, Shaq, and Michelle Sing, President, JCPenney Communities Foundation, pose with a WalkKit device.
Partnering for Health Equity: Growing Networks and Raising Youth Voice
With support from Harmony Academy, Healthier Generation hosted a series of in-person and virtual partner gatherings this year to build networks of change-makers committed to improving the health of young people. In cities such as Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, and Chapel Hill, we convened over 75 strategic partners for in-person gatherings that emphasized engagement, collaboration, and resource-sharing. The connections forged at these meets have led to collaborative conference workshops, event panels, local presentations, podcast episodes, and co-authored book chapters and articles, building momentum for continued impact into the future.
Healthier Generation also engaged in strategic partnerships this year to uplift youth advocates. We joined the University of Kentucky’s EMPOWER initiative to elevate community voices against the use of menthol and other flavored tobacco products in communities of color. As part of this initiative, we teamed up with Dr. Abeni El-Amin from Project Ricochet to engage community champions in storytelling through creative arts, Photovoice, and music.
At education conferences across the country, Healthier Generation presented Center Youth Voice, an interactive workshop on the importance of centering the lived experiences of young people in our work, reaching thousands of leaders.
We worked with youth in rural communities from Idaho to Kentucky, Missouri to South Dakota, and Texas to Arizona. In Phoenix, we engaged young people at the United National Indian Tribal Youth conference. In Kentucky, we participated in local events in La Center, Paducah, Marshall County, Murray, Owensboro, Louisville, and Lexington. And we built on partnerships in western Kentucky; Baltimore, Maryland; Hillsborough County, Florida; and Los Angeles to develop a place-based roadmap to help young people become healthy, confident leaders.
Healthier Generation and Harmony Academy staff gather with partners at the Young Storytellers offices in Los Angeles.
Kentucky teens enjoy a volleyball break during the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Clubs of Paducah Teen Retreat.