Meet Let’s Move Pittsburgh Program Coordinator Erin Saltmarsh

By Ashlee Cubarney, Let's Move Pittsburgh program assistant

Now in her third year with Let's Move Pittsburgh, Erin Saltmarsh has taken on the role of program coordinator. Let’s Move Pittsburgh had the pleasure to sit down with Erin to discuss the 5-2-1-0 program. Read about Erin’s role in helping Allegheny County’s kids practice 5-2-1-0 every day!

LMP: Give some background on your career at Phipps.

Erin: When I first moved to Pittsburgh, I started as a volunteer with Phipps and Let’s Move Pittsburgh. I volunteered a few hours a month in the Outdoor Garden and attended community outreach events. I have had many roles over the last three years, including volunteer, intern, program assistant and now program coordinator.  

LMP: Explain your new role.

Erin: As program coordinator for Let’s Move Pittsburgh, I primarily work on the new 5-2-1-0 program being implemented in partner sites around the city. I am responsible for providing technical assistance for each site as well as offering a hand in leading activities with children, parents and caregivers throughout the year. 

LMP: What will the 5-2-1-0 program look like?

Erin: We are recruiting 5-2-1-0 partners who are healthcare, childcare, elementary school and after school providers for youth ages 0 – 12. I will be working one-on-one with a diverse cohort of leaders and caregivers, helping them establish a 5-2-1-0 action plan.  Although the key message is consistent across sites, the programs will look very different. It all depends on the needs and goals of each partner site. Each school, out-of-school and childcare site is asked to implement any two of the 10 Strategies for Success. Healthcare providers implement different strategies, such as connecting to their community and having respectful conversations with patients around healthy eating and active living. The 10 Strategies for Success are:

1. Limit unhealthy choices for snacks and celebrations; provide healthy choices.
2. Limit or eliminate sugary drinks; provide water.
3. Prohibit the use of food as a reward.
4. Provide opportunities to get physical activity every day.
5. Limit recreational screen time.
6. Participate in local, state, and national initiatives that support healthy eating and active living.
7. Engage community partners to help support healthy eating and active living.
8. Partner with and educate families in adopting and maintaining a lifestyle that supports healthy eating and active living.
9. Implement a staff wellness program that includes healthy eating and active living.
10. Collaborate with Food and Nutrition Programs to offer healthy food and beverage options.

LMP: Which sites will be participating?  

Erin: So far, we have nine partners on board to integrate 5-2-1-0 into their programming: Center of Life, Chartiers Early Childhood Center, Children's Community Pediatrics-GIL, Crescent Early Childhood Center, Pittsburgh Faison K-5, Pittsburgh Lincoln Pre-K-5, Pittsburgh Montessori Pre-K-5, Shady Lane School and the Thelma-Lovette YMCA.

LMP: What is the goal of the program?

Erin: The goal is to help kids at each site practice 5-2-1-0 behaviors: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, less than 2 hours of recreational screen time, 1 or more hours of physical activity and 0 sugary drinks and more water every day. It is our hope to provide children and their caregivers with the knowledge, tools and support needed to make nutritious food choices and lead active lifestyles.

The 5-2-1-0 program is adapted from Let's Go! www.letsgo.org.