united healthcare to sponsor “healthy leap into fitness” program

PROGRAM FOCUSES ON FOUR PILLARS OF HEALTH AND IS MODELED TO INCLUDE HEALTH EDUCATION, CLASS ACTIVITIES AND SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES

Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ) President and CEO Jamie Heckerman announced today a partnership with United Healthcare to serve as the Presenting Sponsor for SOAZ’s Healthy LEAP into Fitness (HLIF) program for the upcoming 2021-22 season. Healthy LEAP into Fitness allows athletes and partners the opportunity to experience increased physical activity, improve daily nutrition, heighten social engagement, and gain better overall emotional well-being. The program is modeled to include health education, class activities and supplemental resources.

“We are more than excited to continue our great partnership with United Healthcare and so happy to have them as our Healthy LEAP into Fitness presenting sponsor,” Heckerman said.

“This comes at a crucial time as Special Olympics Arizona has just resumed in-person activities, it is extremely important to not only offer our regular athletic programming, but to offer a more in-depth program like this to help give our athletes a more well-rounded experience, both physically and mentally. Thanks to United Healthcare we will be able to offer that this year.”

Designed to be taught in an 8-week format, HLIF focuses on four pillars (chapters) of health – emotional, nutritional, physical, and social – containing two or three lessons each. Participating coaches are given a “Coaches’” manual with complete health lessons and tools, and each participant will receive a “Playbook” that will allow them to take notes, complete activities and set personal goals.

HLIF is currently offered statewide at three levels – Young Athletes (preschool – second grade), Junior Champions (third through eighth grade), and Game Changers (high school – adult).