Creating Healthy Schools and Communities

NYS Department of Health Grant initiative awarded to Erie 1 BOCES to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic disease by increasing demand for and access to healthy food and physical activity. The grant period is June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2026. 

Our goal is to create meaningful sustainable change through the implementation of policy, systems, and environmental improvements.

Erie 1 BOCES is proud to collaborate with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County and Go Bike Buffalo to lead the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) initiative, a coordinated, multi-sector plan designed to increase demand for and access to healthy, affordable foods and opportunities for daily physical activity in high-need school districts and their associated communities.  The school districts currently involved in this effort are Salamanca, Randolph, West Valley, Springville Griffith Institute, Lackawanna, Cheektowaga Central, Cheektowaga Sloan and Maryvale. We will be working in Cattaraugus County, the Town of Cheektowaga, the City of Lackawanna and the Town of Springville.

Meet the Team

If you have questions about active transportation in Cattaraugus County, Southern Erie County, Cheektowaga or Lackawanna please contact:

 Justin Booth- Active Transportation Coordinator (justin@gobikebuffalo.org) 

If you are a daycare, worksite, community center or food pantry in Cheektowaga or Lackawanna that is looking to improve nutrition or physical activity, please contact:

Laura Corrin- Community Coordinator (ljc249@cornell.edu)

If you are a daycare, worksite, community center or food pantry in Cattaraugus County or Southern Erie County that is looking to improve nutrition or physical activity, please contact:

Jasmine Filkov- Community Coordinator (jfilkov@e1b.org)

If you have questions about school wellness please contact:

Kate Huber- Grant Coordinator and Supervisor (khuber@e1b.org)

If you have questions about school wellness please contact:

Sarah Whiteway- School Coordinator (swhiteway@e1b.org)

News

2025 School Wellness Conference

Join us for a two-day conference dedicated to advancing school wellness! This event will feature a diverse range of presentations on topics including indoor gardening, healthy celebrations, classroom physical activity and the Farm to School movement. We are thrilled to welcome Nick Kline, Director of Active Schools, as our keynote speaker, who will share insights on promoting physical activity and wellness in schools. Throughout the conference, you'll have the opportunity to hear from local schools about their innovative wellness initiatives and explore strategies for enhancing the well-being of students and staff alike. Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and be inspired by what's happening in our community!  

 Conference information

Year End Report- Year 3

We are proud of all that we've accomplished in year 3 of the grant and are looking forward to continuing this work through year 4 of the CHSC grant.

Kate Huber is a 2023 Buffalo Business First Wellness Champion!

We are excited to announce that Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Grant Coordinator, Kate Huber has been selected as a Buffalo Business First Wellness Champion! She was honored in a ceremony at RiverWorks in Buffalo on August 24, 2023.

Year end report- Year 2

We are pleased to provide you with this year two grant recap of our accomplishments as we continue to build on the momentum of all involved in this incredible work.