OKLAHOMA CITY (March 2, 2015)– The Board of Directors for the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust awarded 13 Healthy Schools Incentive grants at their quarterly board meeting in February.

Incentive grants were awarded to schools and school districts that create healthy opportunities, and actively promote health and wellness for students and staff.  The Healthy School Incentive Grants, awarded to eight school sites and five school districts, totaled $60,000.

TSET incentive grants are available for schools and districts that have been recognized by the Certified Healthy Oklahoma program, which is a partnership between the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, the State Chamber and the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

In addition schools and districts must have achieved criteria established for the grant, such as health promoting policies and programs that focus on physical activity and nutrition. A prerequisite for the grant is a tobacco-free policy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TSET’s Healthy Schools Incentive grants amounts are based on district enrollment and the types of strategies implemented. Schools have a great deal of flexibility in applying their funds to  advance health, such as providing training for staff, leveraging other dollars to purchase physical education equipment, or purchasing specific health related curriculum.

“We are pleased to partner with schools to help create healthy opportunities for students and staff. These efforts benefit schools in many ways including increased academic performance,” said TSET Executive Director Tracey Strader. “Habits formed early last a lifetime and we want to recognize schools that are making the healthy choice the easy choice for students, staff and the community.”   

Healthy Schools Incentive Grant Awards

Healthy Districts Incentive Grant Awards

Julie Bisbee, julieb@tset.ok.gov
Direct: 405-521-4992
Cell: 405-301-3693

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The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, by cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public's health. TSET. Better Lives Through Better Health.