Alabama

Alabama Champions for Healthy Active Schools is a state wellness initiative for grades K–12 with the goal of achieving 60 minutes of exercise for every student in Alabama every day. Multiple Champions partners promote wellness in schools through the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP)[PDF – 6.18MB], a Coordinated School Health approach, and local district and school wellness policies.

The Champions Initiative offers professional development to educators on the use of tools and models to promote physical education, physical activity and nutrition. The initiative offers training on:

• CDC’s School Health Index, with an emphasis on the physical activity and nutrition components.
• The Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP).
• The Rudd Center’s Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT 2.0external icon) to evaluate their policies.
• Cornell University’s Smarter Lunchrooms Movementexternal icon.
• USDA’s Smart Snacks in Schoolexternal icon.

Impact

Through the Champions project, the Alabama Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the Alabama State Department of Education, has reached 139 school systems and over 700,000 students through nutrition and physical activity strategies aimed at creating a healthy school environment. Partners of the Champions project expand professional development, grant funding, and technical assistance.