Information For Community Partners
Join a community-wide movement to support healthy living for rural families
It’s no secret. Rural families face unique challenges to healthy living, putting them at risk for long-term health issues.
Most family-based healthy lifestyle programs focus primarily on children. But we know that many parents also need support to lead by example.
iAmHealthy Parents First is a first-of-its-kind, virtual research study focused on teaching lifelong healthy habits to parents and children in rural Kansas and neighboring states.
This free online coaching program teaches practical skills for lasting healthy lifestyle changes. Families will have the opportunity to learn:
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Healthy eating habits
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Fun ways to stay active
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Strategies for sustainable weight management
This program is for parents and caregivers of elementary-age children (1st through 5th grades) who are located in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado and Oklahoma.
Families who participate in the study receive:
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Access to a no-cost, virtual program that teaches healthy lifestyle skills
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$75 for each data collection visit ($225 total)
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Two Garmin fitness trackers and a Bluetooth smart scale to keep
Now enrolling families for Spring 2025. Spots are limited.
Note: Families who apply for the study will be screened for eligibility based on study criteria. At this time, the program is only available to English-speaking participants.
Welcome to the Community Corner
Get Involved
You can spread the word by inviting families in your area to enroll in the iAmHealthy Parents First program. We are seeking your help with reaching parents and caregivers of elementary age children (1st through 5th grades) who are interested in forming healthy habits.
Here’s how to get involved:
Sign Up
Sign up for our monthly community newsletter to receive study updates, downloadable resources, and early insights to share with your network.
We promise to respect your inbox with just one email per month and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Download and Request
Download our outreach resources with ready-to-use materials like social media posts, flyers and newsletter content – everything you need to spread the word.
Share
Share the study information with your followers on social media and via email, and inspire families to take the first step toward a healthier future.
Follow us on Facebook.
Interested in a having materials mailed to you? Request door clings, flyers and more.
Are you a school or clinic interested in study participation? Find out more information, here.
Watch: The Study Investigators
Take a look at this informational webinar – featuring Drs. Befort and Davis, the study investigators – to learn more about the program and how it works, hear a study success story and get an overview of how you can share the outreach resources with your community.
Interested in referring families to the iAmHealthy Parents First study? Or possibly receiving funding for healthy living programs in your community? Contact us at (833) 544‐7433 or iamhealthyparentsfirst@kumc.edu.