Purpose and Goals
Hillsides recognizes that good nutrition and physical activity are essential for youths to maximize their full academic potential, reach their physical and mental potentials, and achieve lifelong health and well-being. A responsible approach to nutrition and physical activity promotes healthy weight maintenance and reduces the risk of many chronic diseases, including asthma, hypertension, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
Hillsides has a responsibility to culture an environment that helps youths learn and maintain lifelong healthy eating and lifestyles habits. Many factors play a role in achieving a healthy environment, including foods and beverages available to all youths while at Hillsides, nutrition education, opportunities for physical activity, and other activities designed to promote client wellness.
Hillsides has established a Wellness Committee designed to optimize the health and well being of students, and fulfill the requirements of The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 and The Health, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
Nutrition Standards for All Foods Available during the Day
The nutrition program will operate in accordance with the National Child Nutrition Program standards. Hillsides offers varied and nutritious food choices that are consistent with the federal government’s current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and meet all legal requirements set forth by the government. All Hillsides meals will be prepared in appealing ways that retain nutritive quality and foster lifelong healthful eating habits. Meals are served in age appropriate quantities, in pleasant surrounding with adequate seating and supervision while providing time to eat, relax, and socialize.
Hillsides contracted food service company (Chartwells) has established and implemented a food safety program for the preparation and service of all meals and snacks based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles (HACCP) in accordance with the Reauthorization Act of 2004.
Nutrition Goals
- All clients will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and learning experiences that include the following.
- Nutrition knowledge: benefits of eating healthy, nutrients, deficiencies, safe food preparation, and healthy weight management.
- Nutrition related skills: planning a healthy meal, using food labels, evaluating food labels.
- Assessment of personal eating habits: goals for self-improvement, planning.
Physical Activity Goals
Hillsides clients are given opportunities for physical activity during their stay through individual treatment plans including integration of physical activity into the daily programing. Youths are given the opportunity for physical activities by participation in the daily program. Time allotted for physical activities are consistent with the Reauthorization Act of 2004 regulations meeting the required 60 minutes per day. Hillsides provides a positive physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all youths.
Goals for Other Activities Designed to Promote Nutrition and Wellness
Hillsides staff are encouraged to include and support healthy food offerings at various events, activities and other functions to support a healthy environment. Staff are encouraged to support the nutrition education efforts by considering nutritional quality when selecting any snack for such events.
Goals for Measurement and Evaluation
Hillsides Director of Campus Based Services and Senior Director of Clinical Service will ensure compliance with the Wellness Policy in the programing of physical and emotional services.
Senior Director of Operations along with Chartwells Food Service management will ensure compliance with the Wellness Policy in the food service department.
The Wellness Committee reviews and oversees the policy and implementation. Periodic reviews include comments and input from childcare, youth workers, therapist, nursing, parents and clients.
Current Menu
