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Programs & Activities

Oliver Foundation Programs & Activities

 The Oliver Foundation is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) non-profit operating foundation dedicated to the prevention of childhood obesity. We transform lives through the power of health and education. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.  Join us as we make healthy choices for life and empower individuals to take control of their well-being.  Our programs, such as the Oliver Kids Team, work with educators, parents, and mentors to teach, excite, activate, and motivate kids about healthy lifestyles.

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Highlights of the training and initiative activities include:

  • RA full-time dietitian and a dedicated Program Director who work with teachers, nurses, and other educators at grant sites to help them understand messages, implement core plans and meet the goals of helping kids make healthy choices for life.
  • RThe Oliver Kids Team program which works in your schools and communities to TEACH, EXCITE, ACTIVATE and MOTIVATE kids about healthy lifestyles and healthy choices. The "TEAM" includes educators, parents, mentors, community partners and others who are involved with kids.
  • RThe Oliver Kids Team is a school-based program to prevent childhood overweight and obesity. The program promotes change by incorporating health and nutrition information into existing curriculum

Our program incorporates 7 simple, healthy messages that encourage kids, teens, and adults to Make HEALTHY CHOICES for Life!

Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) – Fall 2011 – 2013

The Oliver Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics – Nutrition, embarked on a two-year intervention study to track Body Mass Indexes (BMI) and other health parameters of 2nd grade students at three elementary schools in Spring Branch Independent School District. These students were followed through their 3rd grade year.
The concept of this program was to integrate health, nutrition, and physical activity into the already established curriculum. This program was evaluated and produced significant change in children’s risk factors for developing obesity in adulthood. The study was titled: The Oliver Kid’s TEAM: An Integrated, Peer Support Program to Prevent Obesity: Spring Branch Independent School District.

YES Prep Public School, Southeast Campus – Fall 2012 – Spring 2013

The Oliver Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine, in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Families embarked on a new program, “STOP 2048®.” This accredited curriculum at YES Prep Public School devoted three days of physical education classes and two days of health through nutrition classes. High school students from within the school were trained to teach physical education and nutrition lessons so that they were prepared to lead their peers and younger classmates in and beyond the classroom.

These student instructors were called mentors. Mentor led instruction helped to create a fun environment and increased the feeling of accessibility to the “senior” students. Body Mass Index and other behavioral changes were measured to determine the effectiveness of this program.  The class ( nutrition and P.E.) was an accredited course at Yes Prep Southeast.

Sugar Grove Elementary School – Spring 2008

The Oliver Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine evaluated 72 educational vignettes (“Shorts”) at Sugar Grove Elementary School, Houston TX. The shorts were produced by the Oliver Foundation, The OrganWise Guys Inc., and funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
The overall objective of the study was to evaluate the acceptability of the 72 educational vignettes of children who attend a private school. Teachers also evaluated the vignettes to determine their applicability to a school environment.
The vignettes were found to be age appropriate, taught health, eating, physical activity, and social and family values. Teachers liked the vignettes since it was a fun and positive method to educate the younger kids through the messages.

Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) – Fall 2007 – Fall 2009

The Oliver Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics-Nutrition embarked on a two-year intervention study to track Body Mass Indexes (BMI) and other health parameters of 2nd grade students at four elementary schools in Fort Bend Independent School District. These students were followed through their 3rd grade year. The study was titled: An Evaluation of an Intensive Elementary School-based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program. A Project of the Oliver Foundation: The Oliver Kids Team in Fort Bend Independent School District.

Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) – Fall 2005 – Spring 2011

The Oliver Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics-Nutrition embarked on a six-year study to track the Body Mass Indexes (BMI) and other health parameters of the 2005-2006 kindergarten class in Fort Bend Independent School District. Data gathering began in September 2005 and followed over 4,200 children through their 5th grade year. The study was titled: The Oliver Foundation Kids Team in Fort Bend Independent School District: A six-year longitudinal study of BMI trends among elementary school children in healthy school environments.

Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) – Fall 2004 – Spring 2011

In 2004 an educational program began in Fort Bend ISD that trained all elementary school educators on ways to incorporate healthy nutrition choices and increase physical activity in the classroom. This training came about through a grant of nearly $1.5 million from the Oliver Foundation, educating over 30,000 individuals.

Neighborhood Centers Inc. (NCI) Spring 2004 – Fall 2007

The Oliver Foundation provided funds to establish training at the four Houston area Neighborhood Centers, including the Charter School at Ripley House. The Oliver Foundation joined NCI in its mission to bring resources, education, and connection to underserved neighborhoods.

See Publications for professional evaluation and interpretation of these projects.