.....a cat with some cool health messages to share!

Ticker Tom Was An Alley Cat
Who Was Bad And Mean And Such A Brat;
He Roamed The Streets Of Harbour Loo
All Night Long With Nothing To Do.

He Stuffed Himself Full Of Junkie Food
Then Slept All Day 'Til He Got In The Mood;
To Go Out Again With His Usual Crowd.
Smoked Like A Tilt - It Formed A Cloud.

Smoke All Around Made His Fur Stink
Until One Night Down Behind The Rink;
He Got In A Fight With Tiger Ted
And Lost His Breath - Nearly Dropped Dead!

They Carried Him Home And His Mother Cried
"I Told You Ticker - I Tried And Tried;
To Bring You Up A Healthy Lad
I Told You Smokes And Junk Was Bad
And That You Should Get Daily Exercise -
You Know Your Mother Never Lies!"

So Then Our Hero Saw The Light
He'd Gotten Such An Awful Fright;
He Quit The Smokes, Jogged Everyday
Ate Healthy Food, And Now They Say;
There's A Healthy Cat In Harbour Loo
Who's Fit As A Fiddle, Now How About You?

Teen Tobacco Team

Introducing Ticker Tom....A cat with some cool health messages to share!

The Ticker Tom Program provides a fun and interactive way to get important health messages to children and youth ages 6 -12 enrolled in summer recreation programs. Throughout this program the cat promotes the three Heart Health messages kids gotta have:

• Eat Healthy!
• Be Active!
• Stay Smoke-Free!

Based on feedback from those who have used the program, Ticker Tom provides a fun, do-able and useful way of getting and keeping youth enthused about staying healthy.

What does the Program look like?

Recreation Leaders attend an in-service organized by their Regional Heart Health Coalitions on how to run this week long Heart Health program for children. Everyday throughout Ticker Tom week there are fun activities that focus on healthy eating, being active and staying smoke-free. At the end of the week the recreation group is encouraged to pull all the cat's teachings together and create a celebration. Ticker Tom promotional materials are available to help keep the enthusiasm going.

To get this program up and running, the following groups have a Role to Play.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health Program :

• provides support and direction to the Regional Heart Health Coalitions
• provides and distributes resource material - Facilitator's Guide, Activity Booklet
• provides promotional items: rulers, stickers, t-shirts, etc.

The Regional Heart Health Coalitions :

• plan, coordinate and deliver the Training Workshop for recreation leaders
• Coordinate the program (distribute materials, collect report forms)
• attend the end of week celebrations
• provide support to recreation department/commissions and/or recreation leaders
• liaise with Provincial Newfoundland and Labrador Heart Health Program

The Recreation Leaders:

• attend the Training Workshop
• coordinate the Heart Health Week
• complete the evaluations

Teen Tobacco Team:

• promotes the program in their communities
• develops additional resources/ activities for youth
• provides suggestions on promotional items.

The Youth participating in the summer program:

• participate in the week long events
• learn about healthy eating, active living and staying smoke-free
• participate in the end of week celebrations
• have lots of fun !

Who can use the Program?

The Ticker Tom Program is one of many Heart Health Programs available for youth across the province. This program can be a valuable resource to:

• Summer Recreation Programs
• Youth Groups such as Brownies, Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the YM-YWCA
• After - School Programs

How Do I sign Up?

If you are interested in implementing this program or would like additional information please contact the Heart Health Coalition in your area.

St. John's Heart Health Coalition	738-4912
Eastern Heart Health Network	229-1575
Central Heart Health Coalition	651-6222
Western Heart Health Coalition	637-5000 (ext. 5257)
Northern Heart Health Coalition	456-2209
Labrador Heart Health Coalition	497-8113

Additional information on this program can also be obtained by calling:

Coordinator, Teen Tobacco Team

729-1374

Special thanks to the Heart Health Coalition - St. John's Region for the original Ticker Tom Program.

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