HealthMatters™ Program
12-week exercise and health education program for people with IDD
REACH since November 2020
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4711
Participants with intellectual disability
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1107
Paid Caregivers
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222
Community Based Organizations
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37
States in the US
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6
Countries: Australia, Canada, Croatia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden
Evidence-based | NCOA Approved
HealthMatters™ Program and all of its components meets the highest-tier of evidence-based health promotion standards by the National Council of Aging (NCOA) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) under the Older Americans Act Title III-D Program (Disease Prevention and Health Promotion).
Our work spans over 2 decades of research and translation into community sites serving people with disabilities. Since 2003, we have worked with over 10,000+ people with IDD and over 2800 support staff across 40 states and 9 countries.
THE TRAINING
HealthMatters™ Program Instructor Certification Workshop
TEAM
Beth Marks
Jasmina Sisirak
Jeanne Desjardins
Kristin Krok
AUDIENCE
For staff working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At least 3 team members per organization must attend.
COST
LENGTH
6-hour training (live webinar, offline activities)
3 hours synchronous, live webinar; 3 hours asynchronous activities (including teaching Lesson 1)
ABOUT THE TRAINING
Gives structured guidance on organizing and implementing a tailored physical activity and health education program (in-person, hybrid, or virtual options) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in community-based residential and day/vocational settings.
Enhances staff knowledge, skills, and confidence to support people with disabilities in becoming more physically active, making healthy food choices, and incorporating healthy lifestyle habits into daily routines.
Instructs on the use of the paper Health Matters Curriculum
Provides access to online HealthMatters™ Program Virtual Coach Classroom
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Start and implement a 12-Week HealthMatters Program, physical activity and health education program,
Motivate and engage individuals with IDD in a physical activity and health education,
Teach core concepts related to physical activity and nutrition,
Support individuals with IDD to incorporate physical activity and healthy lifestyles into activities of daily living, and
Evaluate the effectiveness of your health promotion program.
CEUs
Six (6) CEUs/CPEUs provided for Advance Practice Nurses, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LSW, LPC, LCPC), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionists (RD), Nursing Home Administrators, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDP), Speech Language Pathologists, and Illinois Teachers (CPDUs).
$15 per person for CEUs.
THE PROGRAM
12-Week HealthMatters™ Program for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
12-Week HealthMatters™ Program for people with intellectual and developmental disability includes exercise and health education components. Caregivers who have attended HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer Certified Instructor Workshop lead the program.
Goals
Set health promotion goals
Increase knowledge about healthy lifestyles
mprove fitness
each core concepts related to health, physical activity and nutrition
Participants
People with intellectual and developmental disability.
The 12-week HealthMatters Program was tested with adults with IDD. Even though it was not formally tested with school-aged children, it has been used in schools. We recommend that the program can be taught from Middle School and up.
The program can be completed at the community activity center, home, school, or work. The recommended class size is 6-10 participants. We recommend having at least two Instructors for the classes.
Activities
12-weeks long and meets 3 times per week (4-6 hours total per week)
Two components: Exercise component (30-45 minutes, 3 times per week) and Health education component (30-45 minutes, 3 times per week)
Program evaluation (optional, before and after the program)
Organizational health promotion capacity building activities through evaluation tools and wellness committee activities.
THE CURRICULUM
Health Matters: The Exercise and Nutrition Health Education Curriculum
for People with Developmental Disabilities
A research-based, field-tested curriculum that's already made a dramatic difference in the lives of participants with disabilities, this proven curriculum shows professionals how to conduct up to 59 (36 lessons for the 12-Week Program plus 23 Lifelong Learning Lessons!) one-hour sessions that help people make the best choices about health, exercise, and nutrition. Through lively discussions and activities, participants will
increase their commitment to exercise and improve nutrition by learning the benefits of physical activity, exercise, and healthy food choices
develop clear exercise and nutrition goals and stick to them
master the practical aspects of an exercise routine, including dressing appropriately, using proper breathing techniques, and doing cool-down exercises
learn how their medications may affect their body, physical activity, and eating habits
monitor their heart rate and blood pressure during exercise
identify foods that make up a well-balanced diet
locate places to exercise and use equipment safely
improve their self-advocacy and self-esteem so they can make good choices and stay healthy
create a group exercise video they can use at home once the program is over
and much more
VIEW Table of Contents.
THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM
Virtual Coach Classroom: HealthMatters™ Program
Provides an online, single access point to 36 lessons, resources, videos, and support, which allows for interactive communication, feedback, resource sharing, and collaborative learning. Compliments the paper copy of the Health Matters: Exercise and Nutrition Health Education Curriculum
Each Lesson includes the following sections:
Activities – health education activities
Let’s Move Section – exercise videos
Do this Last – evaluation section
Exercise and Resource Library
Virtual Coach Assistant by the national HealthMatters Program Team member.
FUNDING
Development of initial evidence-based training was supported by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Developmental Disabilities and Health (RRTCDD) with funding through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
Development Funding provided by CCTS Pilot Translational and Clinical Studies Program2020 (2020COVID-01)
Continued funding for 12-months through a grant awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, The Healthy Brain Initiative Award #1 NU58DP006782-01-00 to the HealthMattersTM Program in the Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois Chicago (2020-2026).