The Kids Rock program was implemented in 10 schools in the Creighton School District in central Phoenix, Arizona. All schools have a high percentage of kids on free and reduced lunch, an indication of neediness. Both fall and spring running/walking programs were part of the program. Some 700 kids participated logging over 49,000 miles. The Families in Training (FIT) was piloted with 40 parents; the goal was to increase family knowledge and promote positive behaviors around healthy eating and exercise.

2007-8 was the second year of a major evaluation project funded by Kids Sports Stars in which the Creighton kids were tracked over a two year period. The evaluation results showed reduced obesity levels, increased parental involvement, substantial increase in kids and parents nutritional awareness, and improved eating habits.

• 701 children enrolled and started the program.
• 14% of the children enrolled completed less than 10 miles in the program and were counted as “drop outs”
• 86% of 701 children initially enrolled completed 10 miles or greater; the final number of enrolled Kids Rock Stars is 607
• 21% of the 701 stars (127) finished 20-25 miles
• 60% of the 701 stars (363) finished 26 or greater miles
• 81% of the 701 stars (490) finished 20 miles or greater
• The Kids Rock Stars completed over 49,000 miles in the fall program

The Kids Rock Marathon event was held January 12, 2008 with over 3,000 Kids Rock runners the race occurred the day before the full and half marathon and there was an ending village of fun activities. An estimated 508 children attended from Creighton Elementary school accompanied by 95 parents and teachers. Evaluation of the event was very positive.

Summary of findings from 8 participating schools

• 679 children enrolled and started the program.
• 19% of the children enrolled completed less than 10 miles in the program and were counted as “drop outs”
• 81% of 679 children initially enrolled completed 10 miles or greater; the final number of enrolled Kids Rock Stars is 549
• There were 167 more children completing the Spring Program in 2008 than in the program in 2007
• 28% of the 549 stars (154) finished 20-25 miles
• 37% of the 549 stars (201) finished 26 or greater miles
• 65% of the 549 stars (355) finished 20 miles or greater
• The Kids Rock Stars completed over 18,000 miles in the spring program

Feedback from 275 parents showed improvement over 2006-7.

• 200 families attended a family activity and nutrition event
• In the Fall, 80 parents attended a healthy snacks presentation; 55 parents attended “how to read food labels”
• In the Spring, 289 parents attended nutrition sessions
• Developed FIT curriculum (nutrition and activity topics) and Piloted with 40 Families:
• FIT class topics for nutrition include: the food pyramid, healthy snacks, healthy drinks, fruits and vegetables, portion sizes, reading labels, eating out
• FIT class topics for activity include: activities as you grow, using a pedometer, indoor activities, community resources, organized sports,
• Recruitment tool developed where parent groups select nutrition and activity topics of interest
• Developed pretest to screen for knowledge and health behaviors; post assessment screen for how the parents plan to use the material: (a). what did parent learn that they will use with their family? (b). what is the parent’s plan to make changes happen? (c). no plan developed.
• Screen results reinforce the need for increasing awareness about the basics of good nutrition in both kids and their families.
• After the FIT experience, parents were able to identify specific examples of plans to make positive changes in their family’s eating and activity habits

Participation levels were at an all time high in this program with 1142 kids participating in the program completing over 30,000 total miles walked or run. The results are impressive: 74% of the kids in the fall and 94% of the kids in the spring, most of whom had never walked or run before, finished the marathon. In the fall 87% and 94% in the spring, completed 20 miles or greater! 530 or the kids participated in the Rock and Roll Marathon in the fall and 288 attended the spring Junior Achievement Run in the spring.

Over the course of the year, 85% of the kids and 63% of the families reported increasing their amount of exercise. Many parents participated in parent sessions in the fall and some 230 parents participated in the expanded nutrition education classes in the spring. All of this was accomplished in some of Phoenix’s poorest neighborhoods at a cost of $100 to $150 per child. Because at these participating schools, there are rarely sidewalks or green spaces much less walking paths, the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority in 2006 awarded a grant for $34,000 to create and mark permanent walking paths. Key facets of the program are family involvement and evaluation of impacts. An ongoing focus of the program is to involve the schools more, reduce the cost per child, and evaluation impacts over time.

To be a part of the PCH Kids Rock Stars Program (KRS), school personnel work with the program coordinator to develop the strongest program possible. The activity goal for participants is to walk or jog 25 miles, receiving incentives along the way. Families receive nutrition information to enable and encourage everyone to make healthier food choices.

The outline below shows what is needed to be a part of the Kids Rock Star program. With evaluation being one of the key components of the program, continuous assessment of program components at each school insures KRS success.

• The project will recruit approximately 700-1000 children and their families from five inner-city schools that serve a large percentage of low-income families. Additionally two schools from the Pinnacle Education System will participate in the Kids Rock Stars Program.
• Provide an implementation tool kits for participating schools
• With the help of the school team, provide family nights and recruit attendance for the Elite Kick Off event
• Provide incentives for meeting the walking challenge
• Take 500 Kids Rock Stars to the Rock and Roll Marathon event

The 2005/6 results were impressive: 54% of the kids, most of whom had never walked or run before, finished the marathon and 74% completed 20 miles or greater in the fall program. In the spring, 94% completed 20 miles or greater. Over the course of the year, 85% of the kids and 63% of the families reported increasing their amount of exercise. All of this was accomplished in some of Phoenix’s poorest neighborhoods at a cost of $150 per child. Because at these participating schools, there are rarely sidewalks or green spaces much less walking paths, the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority awarded a grant for $34,000 to create and mark permanent walking paths

“I like to run. First I was slow and now I feel better. This is my first time in a class of running. I love running.” Creighton School Student

“Nora and Juan.- These siblings did more than 70 miles together by the end of the first stage of the program. Thanks to their mother’s support they could accomplish that. Actually, all the family was involved in the program. All the family went for walks during the weekend. The mom started to change the family's eating habits since she said that exercise and nutritious food are vital for having a healthy life. “I found out that running is good for you and eating healthier is good for you. I like to exercise I feel good.” Teacher, Creighton School District

Fall Program (October, 2005-January, 2006) Kids Rock Stars Marathon Program

• The project will recruit approximately 700-1000 children and their families from five inner-city schools that serve a large percentage of low-income families. Additionally two schools from the Pinnacle Education System will participate in the Kids Rock Stars Program.
• Provide an implementation tool kits for participating schools
• With the help of the school team, provide family nights and recruit attendance for the Elite Kick Off event
• Provide incentives for meeting the walking challenge
• Take 500 Kids Rock Stars to the Rock and Roll Marathon event

In 2006 the Kids Rock Stars Program will expand to promote a spring fitness challenge and to identify active recreational opportunities in the community for the Summer months.

The program will include:

• The project will recruit approximately 700-1000 children and their families from five inner-city schools that serve a large percentage of low-income families. Additionally two schools from the Pinnacle Education System will participate in the Kids Rock Stars Program.
• Provide an implementation tool kits for participating schools
• With the help of the school team, provide family nights and recruit attendance for the Elite Kick Off event
• Provide incentives for meeting the walking challenge
• Take 500 Kids Rock Stars to the Rock and Roll Marathon event

The proposed outcomes of the project include:

• Increased frequency of physical activity in participating children and family members
• Increased knowledge of healthy eating and reported positive changes in behavior regarding food choices in participating children and families

Outcome measures will assess:

• Changes in frequency of physical activity and changes in reported healthy eating by performing pre and post surveys of parents at start and end of programs
• attendance at events
• numbers of children participating
• numbers of children completing the Fall and Spring challenge
• Satisfaction levels of children, parents, and project partners

The process component will document:

• how well the project met its timeline, accomplished the project tasks and encouraged input from the project partners and participating families
• Lessons learned- identifying what worked at each of the schools and what needs to be changed.