Movin' after school: A community-based support for policy change in the after-school environment

Background: An initiative was designed by a health department, mayors office, and a university to support policy change related to physical activity (PA) participation and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption for the after-school setting (Movin After School). The aim of Movin After School is to help after-school sites create and sustain policy changes theorized to improve the PA and dietary behaviors of children. Methods: Movin After School consists of professional development training focused on PA and nutrition, ongoing technical assistance from university staff to implement policy-level changes, and a tiered incentive-based system to reward programs meeting policy-related benchmarks and identify programs in need of additional support. Policies were developed based on After School Corporation essential elements of program quality. Results/Conclusion: Movin After School may be used as a model for after-school sites to develop and support policies that promote healthy behaviors in the after-school setting.