Research Showcase 2025 - "Healthy Kids HOME: Key Findings and Lessons Learned from a Neighbourhood-Based Health Promotion Program for Equity Deserving Children and Families"
About the Event
Healthy Kids HOME (Health On the Move for Equity) is a community-based health promotion initiative designed to address health disparities in equity-deserving neighbourhoods through community partnerships. Informed by local research, HOME helps children and families gain access to vital, resident-driven services that might otherwise remain out of reach. Through HOME community partners, this is operationalized via two key components:
1) Healthy Kids Sites (HKS): Established neighbourhood "hubs" offering diverse, consistent programming (e.g., cooking classes, playgroups, food cupboards, swimming, counselling) in both virtual and in-person formats; and
2) Healthy Kids Family Program (HKFP): A recurring, four-week educational series focused on mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and smoking cessation, aimed at empowering families through enhancing knowledge, skill development, and readiness to access neighbourhood services.
To date, nearly 20,000 children/family members have accessed services across three HKS via 2000+ program offerings. Ten iterations of the HKFP have engaged 59 parents/guardians over time, with qualitative feedback emphasizing improved mental health literacy, nutritional knowledge, and stress management. These outcomes underscore HOME’s role in mitigating pandemic-exacerbated disparities and advancing health equity in our community. As this 5-year project nears completion, key findings and lessons learned will be shared and of interest to those working to promote health and wellness among children and families in our region.
About the Speakers
Dr. Erin Pearson is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Lakehead University and Principal Investigator of Healthy Kids HOME. Her research program is health promotion-oriented with a focus on behaviour modification and lifestyle psychology. Integral to her work is the opportunity to collaborate with community-based organizations to create asset-focused, participant informed projects.
Rachel Globensky Bayes is the Program Coordinator for Healthy Kids HOME and a health systems leader with over 15 years of experience in the realms of health promotion and equity advocacy. A Certified Red Seal Chef and graduate of Lakehead University, she specializes in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and impactful initiatives addressing social determinants of health and community well-being.