The Texas School Health Program envisions a Texas where all children are healthy, ready to learn, and prepared to make healthy lifelong choices. Our mission is to meet the health services and health program needs of Texas children through schools. Current research indicates that by addressing young people’s health, schools can improve student performance. There is mounting evidence that when schools take action to address health needs of students, they can also meet performance goals and alleviate financial constraints.
The Texas School Health Program provides school health leadership, support, and guidance to Texas school districts on comprehensive school health and safety issues regarding the Whole Child, Whole School and Whole Community by:
- Maintaining the linkage between the Texas Department of State Health Services and school districts as it relates to health promotion and chronic disease;
- Engaging in collaborative efforts with internal and external partners and stakeholders;
- Ensuring infrastructure to provide support to schools;
- Serving as the central source for resources and tools in support of school health evidence-based programs, practices and policies; and
- Disseminating timely school health-related information and data.