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The Heartland Family Service HALO program (Healthy Alternatives for Little Ones) in Omaha received national recognition from the Alliance for Children and Families through its 2003 Robert Rice Innovative Program Award.
Developed in 1991 by Heartland Family Service substance abuse and early childhood education staff, HALO is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention program for preschoolers 3-6 years old. The program equips these children with healthy decision-making skills they will need as they grow and encounter more and stronger negative influences.
The HALO curriculum helps young children feel special, capable and able to communicate feelings – all while learning about the ways their bodies work and how their choices affect the health of their vital organs.
To date, Heartland Family Service staff has trained 330 centers and home childcare providers, and approximately 8,250 children have been taught the HALO curriculum.
Heartland Family Service has targeted 2004 as the year we will offer the curriculum nationwide. We have applied for model program status through the national Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Once designated as such, our HALO headquarters in Omaha can establish a nationwide database to help childcare programs across the country offer HALO.
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