Just Like You! Campaign to Launch in October

The beginning of the new school year also marks the start of another Just Like You! campaign year, reminding parents, guardians, grandparents, teachers, coaches – all adults – the importance of positive role modeling for children.

Just Like You! is promoted throughout the county via support of collaborating partners of the Garrett County Health Department, including the Judy Center, Community Action Committee, and Garrett County Public Schools.

The program is designed to teach children the importance of taking care of their bodies by practicing healthy behaviors. Adult healthy behaviors have an impact on children’s behaviors, such as eating fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth, exercising, and buckling up in a vehicle.

“We all know that children are copy cats at this age and like to imitate adults,” said Sandy Miller, coordinator of the campaign at the health department. “At times, children can receive mixed messages regarding tobacco, alcohol and other drug use. Adults need to be aware of what message their actions and words may be giving the child.”

A well known child development educator and author, Karen Stephens, said, “It’s easy to dispense don’ts to our kids: “Don’t smoke.” “Don’t drink and drive.” “Don’t do drugs.” “Don’t lie.” It takes much more effort and discipline to practice what we preach. It takes a strong character to give our kids a good role model to copy, because copy us they will.”

“It takes intention to help mold children into vessels of health and wellness,” Miller said. “We all need to be aware that children watch what we do and say, and imitate us. Whether you are the parent, the bus driver, the teacher, the coach, the aunt, the babysitter, the older sibling, we all need to be a good role model for the kind of adult we want these youngsters to become.”

“Watch and listen for the Just Like You Campaign in The Republican Newspaper, on the radio, and in your young child’s classroom,” said Miller “Partner agencies will be posting campaign materials on their websites and Facebook pages. Information will also be on the copycatfun.com website, including games, pictures, videos, pintables, and chances to win prizes. Cats makes the website come to life for children while giving parents/guardians information to help keep the family healthy and well. What can you do? Watch for the information, pass it along to your friends, and frequent the copycatfun.com website. We can all make a difference in the lives of the youngest residents of Garrett County.”

For more information about Just Like You, copycatfun.com, or to be added to the distribution list for the campaign, call Health Education and Outreach at the Garrett County Health Department, 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.