Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families

Faculty in this core focus on physical activity and healthy eating behaviors, environments, and policies to ensure all children and families are enabled to eat healthfully and be physically active.

Core Leadership

Stay Active at Home fact sheets

•   Stay Active, Stay Well
•   Stay Active, Stay Focused
•   Stay Active, Stay Balanced
•   Stay Active, Stay Positive

News articles on core research

• HEAL Core faculty member Will Massey invited to testify about the importance of recess to children’s social and emotional learning. School Recess Bill Passes Washington State House Unanimously.
• Work from HEAL Core faculty and Four-Day School Week Project PI, Paul Thompson is highlighted in this article from Education Week titled: Four Studies to Know on 4-day School Weeks.
• Four-days school weeks are growing in popularity nationally. The schedule offers greater flexibility for families and teachers, but studies show it also can result in lower student test scores.
• “Research clearly shows the benefits of recess for children,” said Dr. Will Massey. New School Recess Bill Aims to Combat Youth Mental Health.
• In partnership with Oregon Department of Education’s Healthy Schools Program, HEAL Core Director, Kathy Gunter and Extension partners across the state increase access to school-based physical activity for elementary students.
• Oregon State study finds lower math scores in high schools that switch to 4-day school week.
• Study examines academic impact of 4-day school week.
• Cross-core collaborations (HEAL and Early Childhood) show the impacts of four-day school weeks schedules on early academic achievement.
• Dr. Will Massey hosts a training series exploring the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma.