Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas (HART)

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The application for the 2021-22 School year is currently closed. It will reopen in August. Please email HART@TexasAgriculture.gov with any questions.

HART Marketing Handout

About Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas:

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recognizes that student leaders have a powerful voice for improving health and wellness on school campuses. TDA developed Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas (HART) to inspire and recognize exceptional Texas high school students as they champion healthy lifestyles for their peers. HART connects ambassadors and their school nutrition teams with resources and support for promoting healthy eating, Texas agriculture and school nutrition programs.

As a Health Ambassador, you will get to:

Participate in activities that promote healthy eating and Texas agriculture among your peers
Promote the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
Provide state officials with feedback and recommendations for improving school nutrition programs
Organize exciting events such as taste tests to sample local produce
Join a network of Health Ambassadors across the state of Texas

To be eligible, you must:

Currently be enrolled in high school in the 9th, 10th or 11th grade
Attend a Texas school that participates in the National School Lunch Program. Check here if you are unsure if your school district participates in the National School Lunch Program.
Have an email address to receive HART newsletters and program materials

If selected as a Health Ambassador, you are required to:

Participate in activities promoting healthy eating and Texas agriculture
Complete progress reports
Attend statewide conference calls to share ideas and feedback to TDA
Meet with your HART Advisor once per month to discuss and coordinate activities for upcoming school nutrition initiatives

HART Application Instructions

To complete the HART application, you will need the following information:

1. Name and contact information of your chosen HART advisor. Your HART advisor should be:

A school staff member (teacher, guidance counselor, athletic coach, child nutrition staff, etc.) who is interested in promoting healthy eating
Able to meet with you one hour per month to discuss and support your upcoming nutrition initiatives
Willing to connect you with other school staff and the administration

2. Signed parent/guardian waiver form. Download and re-upload signed form into your application.

3. Responses to the Three (3) short essay questions below (each answer should be between 100 – 200 words)

Please tell us a little about yourself and why you would make a great Health Ambassador.
Tell us what you would do at your school as a Health Ambassador to promote healthy eating and Texas agriculture. Please give two examples.
What challenges do you see in trying to promote healthy eating or reducing hunger among your classmates? What are your solutions to these challenges?

4. If applicable, any photos and/or supporting materials that showcase involvement within your school or community. For example, volunteer or after-school activities, sports team participation, etc.

Application Questions:

Please contact the HART team at HART@TexasAgriculture.gov or by phone at (877) TEX-MEAL.

Map of Participating HART High Schools

The Map of Participating HART High Schools includes schools that have one or more Health Ambassadors who are championing healthy eating and wellness on campus. Clicking on the blue pins will display contact information for each school.

Success Stories

Health Ambassadors across Texas are implementing a variety of healthy living initiatives at their schools. Ambassadors are increasing awareness of healthy eating and nutrition programs among their peers and school communities. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) highlights projects that Health Ambassadors are completing around the state so other students and school staff can learn best practices to implement at their schools.

Ambassador Helps Make Weslaco ISD Summer Meals Promotion Successful

McAllen ISD School Food Pantries Increase Students’ Access to Food

Collaboration Increases School Breakfast Participation at Katy ISD

Students Lead Nutrition Lessons at Harmony ISD

Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Texas Department of Agriculture

Commissioner Sid Miller