Cambridge Elementary School is the recipient of a CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) grant according to Carrie Titus, community health educator at Henry County Health Department. The grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health was originally for $7,000, but has been cut to $5,500.

 The CATCH program brings schools and families together to teach children how to be healthy for a lifetime. CATCH is effective because healthy behaviors are reinforced through a coordinated approach - in the classroom, in the cafeteria, in physical education classes and at home.

 CATCH includes a kindergarten through fifth grade classroom health education curriculum that teaches children to read and understand nutrition labels, learn how being overweight can affect their heart, lungs and overall health, and how to identify healthier food options in restaurants and at the store. 

 In the school cafeteria, food service personnel serve meals with more fruits and vegetables and lower fats. 

 The CATCH physical education component teaches children different ways to be physically active in their daily lives, either by themselves or with their family and friends.

 A family fun night is also slated according to Titus.

 The Illinois CATCH program initiative was implemented in January 2004 by the Department to promote healthy eating and physical activity among elementary school children.