Prevent Child Abuse America and Chartwells K12 team up to deliver healthy meals and healthy social interactions in the lunchroom

Anti-bullying initiative focuses on the prevention of peer abuse and the promotion of positive social development

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Dec 10, 2014, 03:00 ET

CHICAGO, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Prevent Child Abuse America is teaming up with Chartwells K12 to prevent bullying where it can often take place: the lunchroom. The partnership will deliver healthy messages to students alongside the healthy food choices Chartwells serves in 3,800 schools nationwide as part of a peer abuse (commonly known as bullying) prevention campaign. The campaign supports efforts to positively change youth behaviors in light of the more than 70 percent of students who report witnessing bullying on a monthly basis.*

As part of the partnership, Chartwells team members will receive targeted training to help them recognize bullying behavior and appropriately respond. Training for leadership will also be provided regarding the impact of peer abuse in schools.

"We applaud Chartwells interest in extending beyond nurturing appetites to also encourage change in youth's behaviors, and by teaming up with Chartwells, we have the opportunity to do both," said James Hmurovich, President & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. "By including abuse prevention messages with these meals, in addition to working with the food service professionals, we have a real chance to make a positive impact. We're delighted about the possibilities that this partnership with Chartwells presents."

"Our number one priority is to nourish the students, to help them make smart choices about food, and also about living healthy lives," said Rhonna Cass, President of Chartwells. "Our partnership with Prevent Child Abuse America is an important extension of our 'eat. learn. live.' promise and will help Chartwells further its goal to improve the well-being of our students and communities."

As part of the Chartwells' "eat. learn. live." initiative, the school dining service believes that, by providing students with fresh and nutritious meals, they can improve the well-being of the students they serve, build sharp minds and strong bodies, and enrich the lives of students and communities in which they live. Because of their work within school cafes, Chartwells has a unique opportunity to make a difference.

"Our studies show nearly one in three, grades 6 through 12 students, experience bullying," said Hmurovich. "Chartwells is a natural fit to help us spread the message that all people deserve respect, and we believe it is essential to equip food service professionals with education and training to prevent peer abuse before it ever begins."

Research suggests that the social emotional learning skills Chartwells staff will receive is associated with increases in pro-social behavior and academic achievement and decreases in student conduct problems and distress. In addition to working together on messaging and training, Chartwells will participate in Prevent Child Abuse America's signature spring campaign, Pinwheels for Prevention^®, a national initiative customized for local communities that uses symbolic pinwheels to promote healthy, full lives for children.

*According to PCAA survey data of 6^th through 12^th graders

ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA
Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 50 states and nearly 600 sites in 39 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Commonwealth of the Marianas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. To learn more about preventing child abuse and neglect and how you can help, please visit www.preventchildabuse.org or www.healthyfamiliesamerica.org.

ABOUT CHARTWELLS K12
Chartwells is a culinary-focused organization providing meals and dining services for more than 575 school districts, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools. The company's mission is to extend its passion, dedication, knowledge and enthusiasm into serving each student delicious and nutritious meals. Chartwells is built on decades of food and education experience and driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness and sustainability talent. For more information, visit http://www.ChartwellsK12.com/.

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SOURCE Chartwells K12