HealthStart is currently hiring for the following positions:
To Apply: Please email your cover letter and resume to javier@healthstartfoundation.org
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HealthStart was named a Hispanic Impact Fund finalist and grantee for 2022 in Health & Wellness. We received $10,000 to help expand our community partnerships, allowing us to reach more young children in Central Texas.
The Hispanic Impact Fund is a program of the Austin Community Foundation. In Health & Wellness, the Fund invests in organizations that provide preventative, culturally competent health education and access to quality mental and physical health services. Austin Community Foundation established the Hispanic Impact Fund in 2017 to support Latino families' economic security and advancement in Central Texas. By leveraging the assets, resilience, and strength of our Latino community, they’re investing in the potential of future leaders. Latinos make up 43% of the total youth population in Central Texas. This demographic faces a disproportionate number of challenges to good health outcomes. HealthStart recognizes the systemic inequities that exist in the Latino community; thus, our programming focuses on removing barriers to success for these children. An example is our Children’s Health Education Workshop Series (CHEWS) which brings positive change with a structured, engaging, and approachable series of workshops for kids and their families. Through culturally appropriate and accessible resources, children are empowered to assume responsibility for their health, and families are also positively impacted, ultimately enabling healthier communities overall. Support from the Hispanic Impact Fund will assist HealthStart in expanding services to more communities in Central Texas that are historically underserved and predominantly Latino populations. “We are honored to receive this grant from the Hispanic Impact Fund. It demonstrates a vote of confidence in our organization with this financial investment. We also appreciate the additional exposure HealthStart receives from such recognition,” said Javier Valdez, Executive Director HealthStart Foundation. Thank you, Austin Community Foundation and Hispanic Impact Fund. As a grant partner, we’ll be able to help more Latino children create a healthier future. We have partnered with El Buen Samaritano to bring our early childhood health education resources to their students and families. They will utilize HealthStart's Health Education For Youngsters Curriculum (HEY), Snack Science Video Series (Mordidas de Ciencia), and Children's Health Education Workshop Series (CHEWS) with their students during their after-school time, cooking club, and parent nights to strengthen family engagement and encourage healthy behaviors at home. El Buen Samaritano is a local outreach ministry serving the Latino community of Central Texas. They are committed to recognizing the dignity of all by ensuring access to healthcare, education, and essential needs that lead to healthy, productive, and secure lives. Through their Family and Health Literacy programming, El Buen provides education, child and adolescent development, and health literacy. These services are provided by bilingual, bicultural staff, including community health workers (CHWs), volunteers, and health and social service practitioners. The first implementation of HealthStart’s CHEWS during their cooking club was a success. "Getting to give the kids more of the “why” aspect on how food works seemed to get them more excited about getting to cook." - Fernanda Rivera, Lead Youth Development Coordinator El Buen and HealthStart are dedicated to educating young children to improve their academics, physical activity, nutrition, and social and emotional wellbeing. HealthStart is excited to work with El Buen to impact the lives of many Latino families here in Central Texas. HealthStart Foundation y El Buen Samaritano se asocian para mejorar la salud de la comunidad Latina en Austin.
Nosotros nos asociamos con El Buen Samaritano para compartir nuestros programas de ciencia y salud para los niños y familias de El Buen. El Buen va a utilizar nuestro plan de estudios (HEY! Curriculum), Mordidas de Ciencia - una serie de videos, y nuestros talleres de educación para niños de salud (CHEWS) durante el tiempo de apoyo academico, clubs de viernes, y noches de padres para fortalecer el compromiso familiar y fomentar comportamientos saludables en el hogar. El Buen Samaritanoelbuen.org/ es una organizacion sin ánimo de lucro que ayuda a la comunidad Latina del centro de Texas. Ellos estan comprometidos a reconocer la dignidad de todos y garantizando el acceso a la atencion medica, educacion, y necesidades esenciales que conducen a una vida sana, productiva, y segura. A través de su programa de alfabetización familiar y de salud, El Buen provee educacion, desarrollo infantil y adolescente, y alfabetización en salud. Estos servicios son proporcionados por personal bilingue incluyendo trabajadores comunitarios de la salud y voluntarios. La primera implementacion de nuestro taller para niños (CHEWS) durante el club de viernes fue un gran exito! “Teniendo la oportunidad de hacer los niños entender el “porque” de como trabaja la comida con nuestros cuerpos les causo mas emocion de aprender como cocinar.” dijo la coordinadora principal de desarrollo juvenil, Fernanda Rivera. El Buen y HealthStart están dedicados a educar a los niños para mejorar sus estudios, actividad fisica, nutrición, y el bienestar social y emocional. HealthStart esta emocionado de poder trabajar con El Buen para tener un impacto positivo en las familias latinas del centro de Texas.  Foundation Communities and HealthStart Foundation have partnered to bring free health and science education to their residents and neighbors. They will be utilizing HealthStart's Children's Health Education Workshop Series (CHEWS) at two of their Austin and Fort Worth locations.
Both locations will be utilizing CHEWS with their students during after-school time. This CHEWS interactive workshop teaches children how their body systems work and the food and fitness activities they need to stay healthy and support social and emotional well-being. Lessons expose children to new foods or foods prepared in different ways to increase the variety of food they consume and their willingness to try fresh new foods in the future. Foundation Communities is a local nonprofit that provides affordable homes and free on-site support services for thousands of families with kids and veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. They are committed to improving the well-being of their residents by providing health programming right where they live and eliminating the barriers of transportation, cost, and childcare. This partnership comes at a critical time as the national obesity rate increased from 19 to 22% during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both Foundation Communities sites have had a successful launch of the program. HealthStart is looking forward to building upon this great start with Foundation Communities and improving Texas children's health. Learn more about HealthStart's CHEWS program. Austin Marathon Gives names HealthStart Foundation an Official Charity for 2022 Austin Marathon11/19/2021  Austin Marathon Gives has named HealthStart Foundation one of its 2022 Austin Marathon official charities. This unique program connects non-profit organizations to passionate race participants and community members willing to fundraise and raise awareness for causes that give back to our local community. This will be HealthStart's 6th year as an official partner of Austin Marathon Gives.
From now until race day on February 20th, 2022, HealthStart will be raising funds with the help of #TeamHealthStart to make a real difference in the lives of young children and their families. With childhood obesity and early onset chronic diseases at all time highs due to the pandemic, teaching young children how their food and fitness choices affects their health is critically important. HealthStart is using the Austin Marathon to launch 20 in '22, a year-long fundraising campaign with the goal of serving 20 new schools and community partners in 2022. This comes at a critical turning point for the organization as in-person engagements begin to return and the demand for quality health education rises from the effects seen from the pandemic. Community members can get involved by joining #TeamHealthStart to make a real difference in the lives of young children and their families. Visit our Austin Marathon event page to learn how you can join #TeamHealthStart. For any questions about getting involved, contact Sharon Robinson at sharon@healthstartfoundation.org.  HealthStart Foundation is thrilled to partner with IDEA Public Schools to bring our interactive health and science education to their students at their new Health Professions campus. IDEA Public Schools and HealthStart share the same passion for health and our kids. They recognize that the roots of academic success are more profound than classroom learning alone. To succeed in education and beyond, kids need the foundational skills necessary to maintain their health. It starts with understanding their responsibility for their wellbeing and their role in building a healthy community. IDEA is excited to get started with HealthStart's tools that make teaching health education fun and easy to do. HealthStart’s programs align with the Texas Education Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) health and science standards for Pre-K to 2nd-Grade, making integration for educators effortless. Plus, our resources accommodate remote learning and engage parents with materials in English and Spanish. IDEA is utilizing two of HealthStart's programs (Snack Science Video Series and Health Education Youngsters Curriculum) to set the foundation for lifelong nutritional, physical, and social, and emotional wellbeing with fun and engaging health-science lessons. Our programs provide blueprints for good health through nutritious food and fitness choices and the tools for taking care of one another and the environment. "I am thrilled to be expanding our services into the IDEA Public School system. Their Health Professions campus is ideally suited for the beginning of what we anticipate to be a long and growing partnership between our two organizations," said HealthStart's Executive Director, Javier Valdez We are excited to partner with IDEA Public Schools to teach more children the “WHY” behind good health.
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 | Marissa has always had a passion for serving her community. She understands what a nonprofit needs to succeed and brings her vast nonprofit and legal experience to HealthStart's Board of Directors. "Being healthy promotes good mental, physical, and social health. Therefore, providing a child with information about health at an early age will create the foundation they need to be an overall healthy individual and member of society." |
 | With over 30 years of experience in the school system, Lucio brings his expertise in education and administration and his passion for children to HealthStart's Board of Directors. "I chose to join the HealthStart BOD because the mission of HealthStart falls in line with my interest in service to my country and community by serving our most precious and priceless resource, our children. I truly believe we cannot invest enough resources and time to raising healthy, thoughtful, and intelligent children who will become citizens. " |
Visit our website to learn more about Marissa, Lucio, and the rest of our Board of Directors.
HealthStart is 1 of 26 charities chosen to be a part of The Austin Marathon’s charity program, Austin Marathon Gives. This awesome program connects non-profit organizations to passionate race participants and community members willing to fundraise and raise awareness for causes that give back to our local community. The Austin Marathon will be held on April 25th, 2021 with virtual running options.
With a swift transition to virtual learning, HealthStart has had to make significant changes to continue supporting children and their families how they need us most. This year we are raising funds to continue digitizing our programming to benefit families in the community who may not have access to other disease prevention and mental health resources, especially during times of remote learning.
How can you get involved? Join #TeamHealthStart and...
Every dollar raised will be generously matched by The Moody Foundation (up to $10,000).
Join #TeamHealthStart and make twice the impact give children the tools to form smart health habits, creating a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.
With a swift transition to virtual learning, HealthStart has had to make significant changes to continue supporting children and their families how they need us most. This year we are raising funds to continue digitizing our programming to benefit families in the community who may not have access to other disease prevention and mental health resources, especially during times of remote learning.
How can you get involved? Join #TeamHealthStart and...
- Be a HEALTHSTART CHAMPION – Join #TeamHealthStart and select "Run for Charity" to set up a personal fundraising page and help raise funds on HealthStart’s behalf between now and race day. (April 25th, 2021)
- DONATE – Give a gift of any amount directly at [add link for your personal fundraising page]
- SHARE – Share #TeamHealthStart campaign page with friends and family or on social media using the hashtag #TeamHealthStart
- RUN – Plan to run? Just choose #TeamHealthStart at checkout upon registering to run the 5k, half marathon, or full marathon on April 25th, 2021 (virtual options available).
Every dollar raised will be generously matched by The Moody Foundation (up to $10,000).
Join #TeamHealthStart and make twice the impact give children the tools to form smart health habits, creating a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.
AUSTIN – After ten years of building healthier communities through children's health and science education, today the HealthStart Foundation took another step in its evolution by naming Javier Valdez its Executive Director, effective 10/12/2020.
Valdez joins the organization with 25 years of experience as a corporate executive and nonprofit leader. Professionally, his prior roles have included senior leadership roles at Oracle, Electronic Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Cisco Systems, Inc., among others. In the community, he’s led several local and national nonprofits, including Breakthrough Central TX, Con Mi Madre and the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI).
“Our organization operates at a unique intersection of health, community and technology, which is what makes Javier such a great leader to lead us into the future,” said Kate Norton, Board Chair for HealthStart Foundation. “His technology, sales, and operations experience will help us expand the reach of our programs while his nonprofit leadership experience will ensure the technology never overshadows the human connections crucial for any community program.”
A native of El Paso, Texas, and a Central Texas resident for 20 years, Valdez has seen firsthand the importance of empowering communities to take their health into their own hands through education and outreach. Personally, he’s an avid cyclist and believer in the power of community to positively change lives.
According to Valdez, “In both my nonprofit and professional involvement, I’ve been drawn to endeavors where a great idea or product is poised to scale, and that’s what I believe I can bring to HealthStart Foundation. There is so much potential in the organization’s programs, curriculum and resources, and I look forward to partnering with the team to explore how we can share those with broader audiences.”
About HealthStart Foundation
Since 2010, HealthStart Foundation's early, science-based health education programs have set a strong foundation for a healthier tomorrow. HealthStart teaches kids the science behind good health with lessons on how our bodies work and the food and fitness activities to keep every part of the body healthy and strong. HealthStart kids also learn when they care for one another and our environment, they help build healthy communities. To learn more, visit www.healthstartfoundation.org.
Valdez joins the organization with 25 years of experience as a corporate executive and nonprofit leader. Professionally, his prior roles have included senior leadership roles at Oracle, Electronic Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Cisco Systems, Inc., among others. In the community, he’s led several local and national nonprofits, including Breakthrough Central TX, Con Mi Madre and the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI).
“Our organization operates at a unique intersection of health, community and technology, which is what makes Javier such a great leader to lead us into the future,” said Kate Norton, Board Chair for HealthStart Foundation. “His technology, sales, and operations experience will help us expand the reach of our programs while his nonprofit leadership experience will ensure the technology never overshadows the human connections crucial for any community program.”
A native of El Paso, Texas, and a Central Texas resident for 20 years, Valdez has seen firsthand the importance of empowering communities to take their health into their own hands through education and outreach. Personally, he’s an avid cyclist and believer in the power of community to positively change lives.
According to Valdez, “In both my nonprofit and professional involvement, I’ve been drawn to endeavors where a great idea or product is poised to scale, and that’s what I believe I can bring to HealthStart Foundation. There is so much potential in the organization’s programs, curriculum and resources, and I look forward to partnering with the team to explore how we can share those with broader audiences.”
About HealthStart Foundation
Since 2010, HealthStart Foundation's early, science-based health education programs have set a strong foundation for a healthier tomorrow. HealthStart teaches kids the science behind good health with lessons on how our bodies work and the food and fitness activities to keep every part of the body healthy and strong. HealthStart kids also learn when they care for one another and our environment, they help build healthy communities. To learn more, visit www.healthstartfoundation.org.
AUSTIN - The HealthStart Foundation has received a grant from the Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation, a private foundation based in Austin, TX, in the amount of $7,500 for the continued development of HealthStart’s Snack Science Video Series (SSVS).
“The need for children’s science and health education will not disappear when COVID-19 is under control. In fact, this pandemic has only emphasized the urgency for ensuring our kids have the tools to understand how their bodies work and the importance of taking care of themselves with sound health practices.” explains founder Robin Herskowitz.
This grant will help expand the SSVS library and continue the development of accompanying materials for educators to easily incorporate the SSVS program in their elementary school science, health, and physical education classrooms. The SSVS has extended HealthStart's reach outside of Central Texas, to 48 states and 18 countries, increasing their impact more than ever before.
The videos' health-science lessons explain how to prevent disease and maintain physical and mental wellbeing. Teachers and parents will find science experiments, physical activities, snack recipes, and opportunities for students to practice new skills like putting on a mask or maintaining proper social distance.
To learn more about HealthStart’s Snack Science Video Series, visit www.healthstartfoundation.org/snackscience
About Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation: The Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation makes grants to qualified non-profit organizations serving 50 specific counties in south and central Texas. They award grants for arts/culture, charitable, education, literacy, medical and scientific purposes.
“The need for children’s science and health education will not disappear when COVID-19 is under control. In fact, this pandemic has only emphasized the urgency for ensuring our kids have the tools to understand how their bodies work and the importance of taking care of themselves with sound health practices.” explains founder Robin Herskowitz.
This grant will help expand the SSVS library and continue the development of accompanying materials for educators to easily incorporate the SSVS program in their elementary school science, health, and physical education classrooms. The SSVS has extended HealthStart's reach outside of Central Texas, to 48 states and 18 countries, increasing their impact more than ever before.
The videos' health-science lessons explain how to prevent disease and maintain physical and mental wellbeing. Teachers and parents will find science experiments, physical activities, snack recipes, and opportunities for students to practice new skills like putting on a mask or maintaining proper social distance.
To learn more about HealthStart’s Snack Science Video Series, visit www.healthstartfoundation.org/snackscience
About Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation: The Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation makes grants to qualified non-profit organizations serving 50 specific counties in south and central Texas. They award grants for arts/culture, charitable, education, literacy, medical and scientific purposes.
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