Certification

The Graduate Division of Touro College’s School of Education and Psychology is developing the first-of-its-kind program of study that will lead to a new and necessary health-care specialty—Bariatric Counselor. Bariatric Counselors will be uniquely trained to treat the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of childhood obesity. This projected specialized Master of Science program will be designed to meet the standards of excellence required by the New York State Education Department. By petitioning and working in cooperation with the State Education Department, Touro College looks forward to the eventual establishment of the new credential, Certified Bariatric Counselor. Once established, the New York State model may be used by education departments across the United States to incorporate the Certified Bariatric Counselor profession into their state lists of approved certification specialties. One of the Foundation’s long-term goals is to call for the United States Department of Education to sanction the Certified Bariatric Counselor as an official nationally recognized health-care profession.

Community Outreach

The outreach component of Children's Health Education Foundation will offer to families, parent groups (PTAs), and community-based service organizations information seminars and workshops on childhood obesity and the role of parents and families in assisting children.