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State Grant to Bring "Steptember" to SUNY Canton

Fitness is the focus during Steptember

SUNY Canton has received a $3,200 grant to create a fitness program for the campus community, including a program entitled "Steptember" scheduled to begin this month.

"The America On the Move grant (AOM) was provided by the New York State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and will help us provide a six-week behavior change program," said Patricia A. Todd, Director of College Health Services and EAP chair. "We are going to use matching funds from the Davis Health Center to offer this service to students as well."

Todd, who is a registered nurse (RN) and a 1981 and 1983 SUNY Canton alumna, said she sees the grant-driven program as a great way for people to improve their health habits regardless of their age or activity level. She said it can be difficult to break sedentary habits and non-healthy activities without assistance.

Among the challenges, seminars, and other trainings will be a "Steptember" program which will encourage voluntary participants to take 2,000 more steps and consume 100 fewer calories a day. Participants will be given a pedometer to measure their steps, literature to help them with their healthy journey, and incentives for each milestone they cross. Steptember begins September 21 at SUNY Canton, and Todd will continue offering health programs through November.

Julie Cruikshank, RN Health Educator has been participating in weekly state-wide meetings with participating state and funding agencies to make the program possible. Cruickshank said SUNY Canton is one of 14 state agencies to receive the AOM grant, and one of six SUNY colleges or universities that received this funding through EAP.

"Better nutrition and increased physical activity have been proven to improve health," noted Cruickshank. "The AOM program provides a simple way to get voluntary participants moving more and eating less on or off of the job."

The EAP program at SUNY Canton, as part of the state-wide program, is a voluntary, confidential assessment and referral program that provides services as requested by employees. It is a voluntary program designed to offer a highly professional, confidential source of help for people who need assistance with personal problems or concerns.

SUNY Canton is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year and is in the midst of its highly successful SUNY Canton Centennial Campaign: Cultivating the Minds of Tomorrow. In addition to 22 associate degree programs, SUNY Canton currently offers 12 four-year degrees with plans to announce several other new programs during the next academic year. SUNY Canton also offers three unique master's degrees in conjunction with SUNYIT, Utica.

September 11, 2006

Media inquiries should be directed to Greg Kie, Media Relations Coordinator, or call 315/386-7527.

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