Apply for $1,000 grant

UnitedHealth Group is giving children in California the opportunity to become "Health Heroes" by learning about childhood obesity, designing programs to address it and implementing the programs in their communities.

UnitedHealth HEROES is a service-learning, health literacy initiative designed to encourage young people, working through educators and youth leaders, to create and implement local hands-on programs to address the issue of childhood obesity. UnitedHealthcare is partnering with Youth Service America to launch the second year of the program in California as well as 33 other states and the District of Columbia.

Schools and youth-focused, community center-based programs are eligible for UnitedHealth HEROES grants of up to $1,000.  Grants will be awarded to programs that demonstrate a clear understanding of the health risks associated with childhood obesity; propose creative solutions to combating obesity in their schools and communities; and can be easily implemented, scaled and measured. 

To obtain an application, visit www.ysa.org and click on the "UnitedHealth HEROES" link under "Support - Get Funding" or the "UnitedHealth HEROES" link under "What's New."  

The Web site also contains more information about the program and resources for gathering information on the risk factors associated with childhood obesity.  

Applications must be submitted online before midnight Oct. 22.  Grant recipients will be notified in December and January.