Funded Non-Governmental Organizations for Healthy Schools

The National Network of Public Health Institutes

The National Network of Public Health Institutes’ (NNPHI) mission is to support national public health system initiatives and strengthen public health institutes to promote multi-sector initiatives resulting in measurable improvements of public health structures, systems, and outcomes.

NNPHI represents 44 member public health institutes, 10 regional training centers, and 40 local training affiliates. NNPHI offers the subject matter expertise, technical skills, multi‐sector partnerships, and local, regional, and national context that have the potential to shape the school environment and improve conditions that will promote lifelong health for today’s children.

NNPHI will partner with Health Resources in Action (HRiA) to develop a National Center for Active Schools that will conduct trainings, create learning tools, coordinate resources, and perform evaluation activities for education professionals and advocates in 25 states. Physical education and physical activity subject matter experts on the National Center faculty will build the capacity of these professionals and advocates to support the health, wellness, and academic success of school-aged children.

HRiA, a public health institute, is a leader in developing programs that advance public health and medical research.

A collaborative approach to learning and health using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model will be taught at the National Center. Instruction will be given through an online Learning Management System, and learners will be familiarized with CDC resources to become better equipped to implement evidence-based physical education and physical activity policies, practices, and programs.

In addition, NNPHI and HRiA will establish a National Advisory Committee to oversee and provide guidance to the National Center. Members will include nationally recognized school health leaders and physical activity organizations.

SHAPE America

The Society of Health and Physical Educators’ (SHAPE America) mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance, and sport. As the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals, with state affiliates in all 50 states, SHAPE America is committed to ensuring all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, physically active lives.  Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in health and physical education. SHAPE America’s resources provide the leadership, professional development, and advocacy that support health and physical educators at every level—from preschool to university graduate programs.

SHAPE America provides cross-cutting approaches that support the implementation of evidence-based policies, practices, and programs to promote health and prevent and control chronic diseases. SHAPE America will work with CDC to develop training and resources related to physical activity and physical education and provide technical assistance to state funded partners and SHAPE America affiliates. Additional valuable resources and guidance will beprovided online through the Teacher’s Toolboxexternal icon and the Digital Download Library.external icon

SHAPE America promotes the understanding and use of school physical activity and wellness programs. SHAPE America uses the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model as a framework for ensuring the health education, physical education, and the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) fit together coherently and work in collaboration with all other WSCC components to support student health and academic achievement.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthier Generation), one of the nation’s largest children’s health organizations, empowers kids to develop lifelong healthy habits by ensuring the environments that surround them provide and promote good health. Through its work with schools, communities, and business, Healthier Generation has helped more than 28 million children nationwide lead healthier lives. Healthier Generation’s broad network of constituents includes state health and education professionals, school and district nutrition staff, nutrition promotion organizations, and school health champions.

Through well-established collaborations, Healthier Generation will increase the number of states, school districts, and schools that are supporting policies, practices, and programs to increase healthy eating among youth. Healthier Generation will provide professional development and technical assistance, on-site and virtually, to CDC-funded grantees in state agencies and local education agencies. Grantees will develop action plans to make improvements using CDC tools and resources. Healthier Generation will build a squad of trainers among CDC grantees who implement trainings in their states to build the capacity of school district and school-level nutrition leaders. In addition, CDC grantees will receive customized, ongoing technical assistance to further education and partnerships for the achievement of long-term outcomes.

Efforts will be made to communicate the positive association between health and academic achievement. Success stories will be generated by field staff, content experts, and communication specialists. Key program partners will participate in the evaluation and performance measurement planning process across the 5–year period of performance.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthier Generation) has a strong focus on empowering kids to develop lifelong healthy habits through improved nutrition and increased physical activity. Since 2006, more than 42,000 schools have enrolled in Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, one of the nation’s largest school-based childhood obesity prevention initiatives. In 2009, Healthier Generation expanded its footprint to the out-of-school space, launching the Healthy Out-of-School Time Initiative, which provides out-of-school time programs across the country, particularly those in under-resourced communities, with evidence-based professional development and the processes, tools, and resources needed to increase children’s access to healthier foods and physical activity.

Healthier Generation plans to increase the number of states, school districts, and schools that are implementing evidence-based policies, practices, and programs related to healthy eating and physical activity in out-of-school time settings. Healthier Generation partners with major national and local organizations, such as National Recreation and Park Association and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to build capacity for this work.

Additionally, professional development and technical assistance will be provided to school districts with students at risk for health disparities. The action plan includes identifying the strengths and assets of each school district and leveraging these in a collaborative effort. Activities will be monitored through an online data collection system, and subject matter experts will evaluate improvements. An expected outcome in these school districts is the enhancement of knowledge and skills of key personnel and decision makers.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America

Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) provides over four million youth and teens with a high quality Club experience that is a safe place to learn and grow after school, in the evenings and during summers. BGCA’s vision is to keep all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship and living a healthy lifestyle. Through a national network of 4,300 Clubs located across the United States and on US military installations, worldwide, BGCA offers high quality youth development programming, training, data collection, safety procedures, fundraising and 24/7 consultation.

BGCA intends to impact more than 200,000 youth as it implements its Culture of Wellness framework with the support from CDC funding. This framework aligns with CDC’s initiatives to promote environmental and system changes. Through Clubs, BGCA will reach youth in areas with high risks of obesity and chronic diseases. BGCA will increase the capacity of 250 partners by implementing professional development and technical assistance events. It will update its educational tools and disseminate these tools through a virtual community of practice and through coalition meetings at the local and national levels. These efforts will strengthen the capacities of CDC-funded organizations, schools, state agencies, and out-of-school time providers.

To promote healthy eating and physical activity, BGCA will interact with schools and community partners serving youth who are 6 to 18 years of age and lack access to out-of-school time programs. On a wider level, BGCA will work with national partners to develop strategies and action plans. Furthermore, it will leverage resources and collaborate with private and public sector stakeholders.