The Healthy Environments for Children (HEC) Initiative is an interdisciplinary initiative housed within the University of Connecticut’s Center for Applied Research, a joint venture of the Cooperative Extension System and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Through education and training, HEC strives to protect and improve the physical and psychological health of children.

HEC Services

HEC designs, develops, conducts, and evaluates programs and materials in areas related to the physical and psychological health of children. HEC also reviews, revises, and updates materials and programs developed by other agencies.

HEC offers expertise in writing, editing, instructional design, and curriculum development.

HEC specializes in translating sound research into practical information for a broad range of learners, including young children, literacy-challenged adults, and busy professionals. HEC programs are developmentally appropriate, culturally respectful, and instructionally sound.

HEC Program Areas

HEC develops educational and training programs and materials in three areas:

• Helping children to understand how to prevent and manage environmental health problems, such as lead poisoning and asthma
• Helping parents, educators, community leaders, trainers, and other caring adults to understand, prevent, and improve environmental conditions that adversely affect children’s health and their own health
• Strengthening the psychological environment for children by promoting developmentally and educationally sound practices and skills

HEC Audiences

HEC develops programs for local, state, federal, and tribal agencies and organizations for

• Children
• Parents and guardians
• Teachers
• Community leaders
• Professionals
• Other caring adults

Awards

2008 Provost's Award for Excellence in Public Engagement for a Program

2007 Northeast Extension Director's Award of Excellence for Lead Program

2005 Children’s Environmental Health Recognition Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented a 2005 Children’s Environmental Health Recognition Award to HEC for its “commitment to protecting children from environmental risks, fundamental to making the world a healthier place, now and for future generations.”

HEC received this award for its development, in cooperation with the Penobscot Indian Nation, of How Mother Bear Taught the Children about Lead, a lead-poisoning-prevention curriculum for Native American children in grades 3-5.