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Division of Adolescent and School Health
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A coordinated school health program (CSHP) brings together school
administrators, teachers, other staff, students, families, and community
members to assess health needs; set priorities; and plan, implement, and
evaluate school health program activities. A CSHP typically is led by a
school health coordinator, guided by a school health council or team, and
focused on integrating efforts across eight interrelated components that
already exist to some extent in most schools.
These components are
A CSHP works to improve the quality of each of these components and develop and implement activities that cut across multiple components to meet the needs of students and staff. It features a systematic planning process that builds on accurate data and sound science, and aims to eliminate gaps and redundancies.
To help states, districts, and schools improve school health programs, CDC has developed science-based guidelines, strategies, tools, and other resources (available at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth). CDC also has identified priority actions that states can take to support CSHPs at local levels (available at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/publications/pdf/PP-Ch9.pdf).
CDC is committed to ensuring that all people, especially those at greater risk for health disparities, will achieve their optimal lifespan with the best possible quality of health in every stage of life. With agency-wide health protection goals that support healthy people in healthy places across all life stages, CDC is setting the agenda to enable people to enjoy a healthy life by delaying death and the onset of illness and disability by accelerating improvements in public health.
With fiscal year 2008 funding of $13.6 million for CSHP, $41 million for school-based HIV prevention programs, and $3 million for school-based asthma management programs, CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) is leading the way in helping schools implement policies and practices that prevent health risks among children and adolescents. DASH currently funds education and health agencies in 22 states and 1 tribal government to work together to help schools in their states implement CSHPs, with a particular focus on promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and a tobacco-free lifestyle. DASH also funds 50 state education agencies (including the District of Columbia), 1 tribal government, 6 territorial education agencies, and 16 large urban school districts for school-based HIV prevention, and 10 large urban school districts for school-based asthma management.
DASH supports the efforts of funded state, territorial, and local agencies to implement science-based, cost-effective programs by
[A text description of this map is also available.]
To ensure that school districts receive the intensive training and support needed to develop, implement, and sustain CSHPs, the American Cancer Society, the departments of health and education in Indiana and Michigan, and other partners worked together to develop the MICHIANA School Health Leadership Institute. Eight school districts in Michigan and 10 in Indiana have participated in the 5-year institute. Participants learned how to build organizational capacity to promote school health programs. Since the institute began in 2003, participating school districts have raised more than $11 million in grant funding to support and sustain school health efforts. In Indiana, all 10 districts passed policies creating tobacco-free campuses and limiting the sale of unhealthy foods in cafeterias and vending machines, initiated a school breakfast program, and mandated physical activity every day for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Four districts also created dedicated staff positions to support the CSHP. In Michigan, all eight districts passed 100% tobacco-free campus policies and formed district-wide coordinated school health councils. Five districts implemented policies to offer healthy vending machine choices, and three school-based health centers opened.
Since 2001, the North Carolina Departments of Public Instruction and Health have jointly sponsored three School Health Leadership Assemblies to help school superintendents and local health directors identify ways to improve academic outcomes by improving student health. These training sessions have reached 43% of the state’s school superintendents and 59% of local health directors, who collectively represent 860,000 students. As a result of participating in these assemblies, superintendents and health directors have supported the creation of a school health advisory council in every school district; led more than 40 of their local education agencies (LEAs) in adopting 100% tobacco-free schools policies; and encouraged local participation in both the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the School Health Profiles. In addition, participants supported the state’s School Nurse Funding Initiative, which has enabled all LEAs in the state to have at least two school nurses.
In an effort to deliver a high-quality and up-to-date HIV/AIDS prevention education program, the New York City Department of Education spearheaded a major initiative to update its HIV/AIDS Curriculum, originally published in the mid-1990s. The revised curriculum is science-based, skills-driven, standards-based, and integrated into the overall educational program. During 2006–2007, the department’s Office of Health and Family Living trained more than 2,000 teachers, administrators, and parents how to deliver the revised curriculum to students in more than 1,400 schools. The curriculum also was adapted for students with special needs, and 77 special education teachers were trained.
Rhode Island’s “thrive” program—supported in part by CDC funding and the state department of health—has helped school districts establish health and wellness subcommittees mandated by new state law. The program provides schools with information and resources, including a tool kit with guidelines, model policies, and data, to help them implement the requirements of the federal Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. Building on the increased awareness of school health and wellness issues, state legislators also passed laws in 2006 and 2007 requiring all schools to offer healthier beverages and snacks.
Because every child needs preparation for a healthy future, CDC recommends that all states establish coordinated school health programs. CDC will maintain its commitment to supporting school health programs and HIV prevention education nationwide and plans to improve the quality and expand the reach of these programs. As part of this commitment, CDC will continue to provide key leadership, resources, and experienced staff to help states, cities, and national organizations create and maintain the most effective school health programs possible.
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Page last reviewed: April 14, 2008
Page last modified: April 14, 2008
Content source: National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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