Written by The FVC Team

Published: 21 February 2017

February is American Heart Month.  There are many volunteer organizations and activities in the communities we serve that are available to help our youth start good habits early.  We are blessed to live in a community that has motivated individuals who are willing to share their time, resources, and expertise with our youth.  There are activities for all aspects of life; mind, body, and spirit.

Here are the top 10 tips from the American Heart Association to help children develop health habits.

1.       Be a good role model - You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but if kids see you trying to eat right and getting physically active, they’ll take notice of your efforts. You’ll send a message that good health is impor­tant to your family.

2.       Keep things positive - Kid’s don’t like to hear what they can’t do, tell them what they can do instead. Keep it fun and positive. Everyone likes to be praised for a job well done. Celebrate successes and help children and teens develop a good self-image.
 

3.       Get the whole family moving - Plan times for everyone to get moving together. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, garden or just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise and the time together.
 

4.       Be realistic - Setting realistic goals and limits are key to adopting any new behavior. Small steps and gradual changes can make a big difference in your health over time, so start small and build up.
 

5.       Limit TV, video game and computer time - These habits lead to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive snacking, which increase risks for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Limit screen time to 2 hours per day.
 

6.       Encourage physical activities that they’ll really enjoy - Every child is unique. Let your child experiment with different activities until they find something that they really love doing. They’ll stick with it longer if they love it. Check out these activities for kids.
 

7.       Pick truly rewarding rewards - Don’t reward children with tv, video games, candy or snacks for a job well done. Find other ways to celebrate good behavior.
 

8.       Make dinnertime a family time - When everyone sits down together to eat, there’s less chance of children eating the wrong foods or snacking too much. Get your kids involved in cooking and planning meals. Everyone develops good eating habits together and the quality time with the family will be an added bonus.
 

9.       Make a game of reading food labels - The whole family will learn what’s good for their health and be more conscious of what they eat. It’s a habit that helps change behavior for a lifetime. Learn more about reading nutrition labels.
 

10.    Stay involved - Be an advocate for healthier children. Insist on good food choices at school. Make sure your children’s healthcare providers are monitoring cardiovascular indicators like BM

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyKids/HowtoMakeaHealthyHome/Top-10-Tips-to-Help-Children-Develop-Healthy-Habits_UCM_303805_Article.jsp#.WKs34vLDoVI

Written by The FVC Team

Published: 06 February 2017

We have all experienced limited vision with the blizzard conditions we have had this winter.  Thankfully, spring is just around the corner and this will be a distant memory.  But for some individuals they will always struggle to see.  February is Low Vision Month.  We have wonderful resources available in North Dakota. 

North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind

North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB) provides statewide leadership, center based programming, and regionalized outreach services ensuring that the specialized needs of persons of all ages who are blind or visually impaired are met. NDVS/SB is a division of the Department of Public Instruction, Kirsten Baesler, State Superintendent, and is located in Grand Forks, with regional offices in Fargo, Jamestown, Minot and Bismarck.

NDVS/SB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Mission Statement

To function as a statewide comprehensive resource working cooperatively with related agencies in providing a full range of services to persons of all ages who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities.

Vision Statement

To inspire hope and the desire to achieve in our students as we strive to be leaders in the field of visual impairment.

https://www.ndvisionservices.com/. 

North Dakota Vision Rehabilitation Services

The incidence of visual impairment is on the rise, impacting the lives of individuals and families. If you have an uncorrectable vision impairment, help is available from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, or DVR.

The Vision Rehabilitation Specialists can assist with independence and safety in the home and community, as well as enhancing quality of life. The Vision Rehabilitation Specialists can work together with the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to assist individuals with their employment and educational needs.

The Older Individuals who are Blind Program is available to those 55 and older who are experiencing a vision loss. The goal of the Older Individuals who are Blind Program is to assist individuals in improving their independence in their homes and the communities. Individuals who are requesting assistance with employment and independent living services can apply to the DVR program.  https://www.nd.gov/dhs/dvr/individual/older-blind.html