The United Way and Newport Primary school worked together to present Born Learning Academy. The program was designed to promote early childhood development with the goal of helping caregivers turn everyday moment into learning opportunities. One of the areas of focus was childhood nutrition. With 18% of families with children in Campbell County being below the poverty line, increasing food security was a major goal.

  According to the Urban Child Institute, a recent study found that compared to their peers in food-secure families, food-insecure children under age 3 are 90% more likely to have fair or poor health rather than good or excellent health and 76% more likely to have problems in cognitive, language, and behavioral development. 

The Campbell County nutrition education assistant met with parents each month as part of the Born Learning Academy to present Healthy Choices for Every Body. The lessons focused on learning age-appropriate dietary recommendations, ways to incorporate children into making healthy food choices and planning and shopping for healthy meals on a tight budget.  

According to beginning and ending data of a national reporting system this program resulted in 80% of participants reporting an increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables and a 60% increase in preparing meals at home and checking cupboards before going shopping to avoid food waste and overspending. 

Participants graduated Born Learning Academy knowing that they were better prepared to meet the mental, physical and educational needs of their young children as they embark on their kindergarten year.