School-age programs
Healthy Hearts and Minds school-age programs provide heart health education and cholesterol screenings to elementary, middle and high school students.
To schedule a visit to your school, please contact [email protected] or call 970.624.1680.
Healthy Hearts and Minds school programs
Our school programs provide cardiovascular health screenings and preventive education. We aim to empower students to make heart-healthy choices at a young age.
Our programs also identify children with elevated blood pressure or cholesterol for early intervention.
View/download our program overviews:
Free heart health screening
Your child has an opportunity to participate in a heart health screening!
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all students, regardless of family history and lifestyle choices, have their cholesterol checked between the ages of 9-11 years and again as a teen.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for parents/guardians
What do students learn during the Healthy Hearts education?
Healthy Hearts provides the most the most up-to-date health information on topics meaningful to students including the effects of vaping and stress on their heart.
Other topics of interest covered in the Healthy Hearts education include:
- Genetic risk factors
- Goal setting
- Heart anatomy
- Heart health
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Risks of tobacco use and vaping
- Stress management
Why should my student have their cholesterol screened at school?
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that by the ages of 9-11, all students should know their cholesterol numbers. Healthy Hearts provides a free service during which the student will gain an understanding of their numbers and what they mean for their current and future heart health.
What happens during the cholesterol screening?
Students with written parental permission have the opportunity to sit one-on-one with a trained Healthy Hearts screener to have their cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI checked. Cholesterol is checked using a finger stick. Results are available within minutes and are explained to participants right on the spot.
How is my student’s information kept private?
All information is kept private using HIPAA-compliant processes. You may view results via My Health Connection, UCHealth’s free, easy-to-use patient portal.
Need to sign up for My Health Connection? Complete this online sign-up form.
What happens with all of the information?
Aggregate data is used to determine trends in the health of our community. No individual information is shared. Students that are identified with risk factors for heart disease may be invited to additional heart health programs.
My student is concerned about their BMI being screened in school. How is that handled?
Student results are kept private. However, students may opt out of any part of the screening with which they are not comfortable.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for schools/districts
How does Healthy Hearts align with the Colorado Department of Education Standards?
Colorado Department of Education
Healthy Hearts alignment:
Why is the student biometric screening hosted at school, and how do we keep kids safe?
The student biometric screening is the culminating learning activity of Healthy Hearts and a standard part of the program. Students receive instant cholesterol results which are explained by a medical professional. The heart health screening provides the opportunity for students to make their health education personal and brings learning about the cardiovascular system to life. The screening is free and optional and approximately 65% of families choose to have their student participate. Students with parental permission always have the option to decline any test with which they are not comfortable.
Trained medical professionals use the fingerstick method to check cholesterol, which is a minimal-risk assessment using a drop of blood. We follow Standard Precaution procedures for handling and disposing of blood waste.
How does Healthy Hearts protect student health information?
All information is kept private using HIPAA-compliant processes including the use of REDCap and UCHealth’s electronic medical record system MyHealthConnection to deliver results. Only de-identified aggregate data is shared with classrooms and school districts. No individual data is ever shared.
Can I use Healthy Hearts data for grants or presentations?
Districts and school must have expressed written consent to utilize or cite Healthy Hearts data. Districts and schools may request customizable reports with de-identified aggregate data to be used to make a grant competitive and for internal decision-making/informing work.
How do I sign up my school?
Email [email protected] or call 970.624.5298.
Resources for parents and families
Behavioral health
- 988 Colorado Mental Health Line
The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line is available for free, immediate, human support 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling with an emotional, mental health or substance use concern, call, text, or live chat with 988 today. We’re here to listen. - Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists, available 24/7/365 by calling 844-493-TALK (8255), or texting TALK to 38255. Colorado residents can also seek services in-person at our walk-in centers, regardless of ability to pay. If you don’t know where to begin getting help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern—for you, or for someone you know—start here. - The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+)
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. We provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round. - I Matter
The I Matter program can connect you with a therapist for up to 6 free virtual counseling sessions (some in-person appointments available, too) that are completely confidential. Talking with someone can make you feel better. To start, click on “Youth” below to take a short survey. Be as honest as possible: your answers will help match you with the right therapist. If you’re 11 or younger, your parent or guardian must fill out the survey with you.
Heart health
Vaping prevention/cessation
- My Life My Quit
My Life, My Quit™ is the free and confidential way to quit smoking or vaping. Text “Start My Quit” to 36072 or click to chat with a Coach. We are here for you every step of the way. It’s YOUR LIFE and we’re here to help you live it YOUR WAY. - Tobacco Free Colorado
Tobacco Free Colorado is a project of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) state tobacco education, prevention and cessation program. We work to educate Colorado’s residents and public health organizations on tobacco cessation and prevention.
