American School for the Deaf launches Healthy Kids Initiative Thanks to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Donates $50,000 to Fund Health and Wellness Program for American School for the Deaf

The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation and the American School for the Deaf (ASD) announced that the Anthem Foundation awarded ASD $50,000 in support of the school’s “Healthy Kids Initiative.”  The health and wellness program will run during the school day and after-school and will be offered to all of ASD’s students.

ASD’s Healthy Kids Initiative is a fun interactive program where ASD students will learn about balanced diets and the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The program is designed to accommodate ASD students’ unique learning styles, as well as communication and physical/cognitive challenges.  Anthem’s funding of the Healthy Kids Initiative enables ASD to expand their health and physical education curriculum, increase the use of ASD’s Fitness Center, as well as expand existing health and wellness activities for their Deaf with Special Needs students.

“We are pleased that our longstanding friend and partner, Anthem has provided funding for this worthwhile initiative. This program will provide the deaf and hard of hearing children communicatively accessible information so they can make healthy choices,” said Edward Peltier, Executive Director.

A check presentation took take place on Wednesday, April 9 on ASD’s campus during the school’s annual Founders Day.  Jill R. Hummel, president Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, was on hand, along with several ASD officials and West Hartford Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor.

“Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is proud to support the American School for the Deaf and their Healthy Kids Initiative. The overall aim of the health and wellness program is in perfect alignment with Anthem's goal to help all generations improve their health and avoid lifelong health challenges, such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke," said Jill R. Hummel, president Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "The Healthy Kids Initiative is uniquely designed to educate and engage deaf and hard of hearing children about the importance of making healthy choices - all while having a good time. Teaching children today about the importance of making healthy food choices and the importance of living an active lifestyle makes Connecticut a healthier state tomorrow."

About the American School for the Deaf

Founded in 1817, ASD is the nation’s first permanent school for deaf and hard of hearing students and the birthplace of American Sign Language. The leader in providing comprehensive education, programs, and services for deaf and hard of hearing people from birth through adulthood, ASD is the only school in Connecticut exclusively devoted to serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals, their families, and the organizations and institutions that serve them. Through its programs and services, ASD enables deaf and hard of hearing citizens of all ages to lead rich, productive lives as participating, contributing members of society.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation

Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Anthem’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s annual associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates’ campaign pledges. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.