In February 2020 HealthStart Foundation will launch the “What Are You Feeding?” (WAYF) Cafeteria Nutrition Education Program with a grant from the L’Aiglon Foundation. HealthStart is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to building healthier Texas communities through early health education. L’Aiglon Foundation, headquartered in Kingsville, Texas , has supported programs in Kingsville schools and community efforts since 1982. The 2 ½ year pilot program will take place in four Kingsville area Independent School Districts: Driscoll ISD, Kingsville ISD, Ricardo ISD, and Santa Gertrudis ISD.

HealthStart Foundation thrives off of the talented individuals who choose to intern and volunteer with our organization. We strive to create a unique and tailored experience that gives each person who shares their talents with the organization a chance to shine!

In fact, past Monstralia Game Design Interns, Audrey Alexander (Sp18) and Lance Jasper (F17) recently shared their experiences with the St. Edwards University Game Changers blog. You can read more here: https://www.stedwards.edu/articles/featured-stories/2018/07/game-changers

If you are interested in sharing your talents.  Email erin.damm@healthstartfoundation.org for more information about open positions! 

HealthStart Foundation seeks a part time Health Programs Communications Coordinator for Fall 2019 and beyond.

Visit http://bit.ly/hsfjobf19 to see the full posting and how to apply!

HealthStart Foundation seeks volunteers to commit to at least one 90 minute volunteer shift per week for eight weeks during our Summer 2019 Community Health Education Workshops (CHEWS) with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA). The Workshops begin the week of June 17th and conclude the week of August 9th, excluding 4th of July Week. 
Volunteers will assist in workshop setup, execution and prep. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in healthcare, fitness, wellness, or child development (or just someone looking for a little extra something to do to give back over the summer).

Those interested can email erin.damm@healthstartfoundation.org or sign up at http://bit.ly/sum19chews

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HealthStart Teaches Healthy Habits with the Launch of Monstralia at International Games Day
 
AUSTIN, TX, November 5, 2018 – HealthStart Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping change the health of its community through early health education, will launch the mobile game, Monstralia™: A Healthy Life for Your Little Monster during International Games Day. The community is invited to join HealthStart Foundation at the Austin Central Library on Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. CT as they launch the game. Children will have the opportunity to play and download the Monstralia game in the Google Play store.
 
Through the Monstralia™ mobile game, young children, ages three to eight, will learn about healthy habits when they take care of the baby monsters who live on the Island of Monstralia. The health concepts found in the game include what to eat, types of physical activities needed to take care of your body, how to take care of one another, and how each part of the body takes care of us. 
            
HealthStart began working on the game’s concept three years ago when the nonprofit participated in the ATX Hack for Change, hosted at St. Edward’s University, which brings technical talent and game designers together with social innovators to bring about social good through technology. HealthStart found a team of volunteers interested in helping to create a demo for the game that would become Monstralia. 
 
“Monstralia takes the lessons HealthStart teaches in the classroom and puts them on mobile devices so good health lessons can go where kids are,” said Robin Herskowitz, Founder, HealthStart Foundation.
 
A year later, HealthStart became the St. Edward’s University Senior Game Design class’ client. 
 
"Our relationship with HealthStart Foundation has been an outstanding opportunity for our students to get real-world experience making a game for a client. It's been a wonderful learning experience for our students as they express through gameplay HealthStart's core message of making healthy food choices,"said Robert Denton Bryant, Director of the Video Game Development Program, St. Edward's University.
 
To sign up to attend International Games Day and join HealthStart for the Monstralia™ game launchat the Austin Central Library, please visit: https://www.meetup.com/Austin-Public-Library-Board-Game-Meetup/events/254219366/.
 
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
WHAT: Monstralia™: A Healthy Life For Your Little Monster mobile game launch
WHERE: Austin Central Library, 3rd Floor, 710 W Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX  78701
 
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About HealthStart Foundation:
Since 2010, HealthStart Foundation’s early, science-based health education programs have set a strong foundation for a healthier tomorrow. HealthStart gives children the blueprints for lifelong well-being by teaching kids to nourish their bodies, what role physical fitness plays in good health, and why caring for one another and our environment is essential for a healthy community. www.healthstartfoundation.org
 
About St. Edward’s University:
St. Edward’s University Bachelor’s in Video Game Development is unique in North America. The University’s majors learn the entire process of making games, from concept to release. In addition students develop communication and problem-solving skills through games projects that prepare them for leadership positions in the games industry. 
 
 
Contact:
Robin Herskowitz , Executive Director
HealthStart Foundation, Inc.
robin@healthstartfoundation.org
512-496-2106

HealthStart is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a Caring Communities Create Capable Children: C’s The Day! Mini-grant by the Michael and Susan Dell Community Collaborative for Child Health. HealthStart has been a participating member of the Collaborative since 2016. HealthStart strongly believes a child’s social and emotional well-being is as important to good health as the child’s physical well-being. That’s why our curriculum and workshops incorporate lessons promote both aspects of good health equally.  The mini-grant will be used to fund one of the Community Health Education Workshops this summer at the Housing Authority of Central Austin (HACA), bringing health education to children in the Austin Community.

HealthStart is thrilled to announce that GetPayRoll.Com has awarded HealthStart Foundation a year of free payroll services. HealthStart was one of 10 nonprofits selected nationwide by GetPayroll.com for this honor. This in-kind donation allows us to place additional funds directly into their programs, reaching more kids and creating healthier communities.