Beyond academics: a holistic program for youth wellness and empowerment
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The Holistic Health & Fitness for Youth (H2F-Y) program is a 24-week, after-school wellness initiative designed to address critical declines in adolescents’ physical, emotional, nutritional, spiritual, and sleep health. Grounded in occupational therapy principles, Self-Determination Theory, and the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness framework, the program provides a comprehensive, activity-based curriculum for middle school youth in a designated Virginia public school division. Delivered by an interdisciplinary team led by occupational therapists, H2F-Y integrates daily movement, hands-on nutrition activities, mindfulness, sleep education, journaling, and mentoring within an autonomy-supportive, screen-free environment. The doctoral project includes a detailed needs assessment, a theoretical and evidence-based program design, an evaluation plan, a sustainability framework, and a funding strategy to support future implementation. The proposed program aims to improve students’ self-regulation, life skills, and overall wellness while enhancing academic engagement and readiness for future roles. Through a mixed-methods evaluation approach, H2F-Y will examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes across wellness domains. Strong collaboration with school staff, families, and community partners positions the program as an innovative, scalable model of school-based wellness. This capstone project demonstrates how occupational therapy can lead interdisciplinary initiatives that promote youth resilience, address contemporary wellness challenges, and advance holistic, prevention-oriented practices in educational settings.
Description
2026
License
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International