“The Whole Child”

Boulder, CO, 2002

KGNU-FM and the People's Clinic produced a multifaceted radio series that broadened their community's understanding of what it means to have healthy children and what it takes to keep them healthy. Focusing on just one or two aspects of a child's health, they believe, fails to recognize the “whole child”—the interconnection of physical, mental and environmental factors. Programming explored topics relevant to the full range of age groups that fall under the definition of “children”—from prenatal care and infant issues to the many aspects of being a healthy teenager.

The series makes use of many radio formats, including 24 news feature reports, a series of four one-hour call-in programs and three half-hour documentaries, airing during morning and afternoon drive time. In addition, teenagers are producing programming on youth mental health issues. CDs and cassette copies of the call-in programs, documentaries and youth-produced program have been distributed to local libraries and schools.

The People's Clinic is the primary care provider for the uninsured in Boulder and has been nationally recognized for its collaborative models of approaching health issues for children and adults. Working with the station to develop medically relevant materials for programming and community engagement activities, the clinic has provided technical assistance to station reporters, hosted booths at community events, provided screening for free insurance programs and health screenings for conditions such as diabetes, obesity and asthma. The People's Clinic also produced and distributed a bilingual brochure about children's health care and hosted a workshop for parents and children to discuss health issues facing Boulder's youth.

Awards:

KGNU Round Three
Colorado Community Health Champion 2004
—Colorado Community Health Network
Local Documentary Award Finalist 2004
—National Federation of Community Broadcasters

Round One
Golden Reel Award, Best Local and Public Affairs Programming
—National Federation of Community Broadcasters