Chapter 6 The School Health Program: A Component of Community Health

Introduction The school health program has great potential for affecting health of the community

Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) An organized set of policies, procedures, and activities designed to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of students and staff

CHSPs Include but are not limited to: Health education School health services Healthy school environment School counseling Psychological and social services Physical education School nutrition services Family and community involvement School-site health promotion for staff

The School Health Advisory Council Individuals from a school or school district and its community who work together to provide advice and aspects of the school health program Should include diverse representation Primary role – provide coordination of the CSHP components

The School Nurse Can provide great leadership for the CSHP Has medical knowledge and formal training Has multiple responsibilities Often districts do not have resources to hire full-time nurses

The Teacher’s Role Heavy responsibility in making sure the CSHP works Often spend more waking hours with children than parents

The Need for School Health An unhealthy child has a difficult time learning Health and success in schools are interrelated A CSHP provides the integration of education and health

Foundations of the School Health Program School administration that supports the effort A well-organized school health advisory council Written school health policies

School Health Policies Steps for creating local health-related policies include Identify the policy development team Assess the district’s needs Prioritize needs and develop an action plan Draft a policy Build awareness and support Adopt and implement the policy Maintain, measure, and evaluate

Policy Development Should be executed by the school health council Should cover all facets of the school health program Gain approval from key stakeholders

Policy Implementation Policies only effective if implemented Distribute policies to those affected Distribute with a memorandum of explanation Place in faculty, staff, and student handbooks Present them at group meetings (PTO) Hold a special meeting for explaining policies Place them in the school district newsletter

Policy Development Resources Action for Healthy Kids School Health Index (via CDC)

Monitoring Status of School Health Policy in the U.S. School Health Policy and Practices Study (SHPPS) National survey conducted by CDC every 6 years Assesses: School health policies School health practices at the state, district, school, and classroom levels

Components of a CSHP Administration and organization School health services Healthy school environment School health education Counseling, psychological, and social services Physical education School nutrition services Family/community involvement School-site health promotion for staff

Administration and Organization A CSHP should be administered by a school health coordinator Trained professional at the state, district, or school level who is responsible for managing, coordinating, planning, implementing, and evaluating school health policies, programs, and resources Often not a position required by states

School Health Services Health services provided by school health workers to appraise, protect, and promote health AAP recommends, at a minimum, that schools provide: State-mandated services Assessment of minor health complaints, medication administration, and care for students with special needs Management of emergencies and other urgent situations

Healthy School Environment By law, school districts are required to provide a safe school environment Physical environment Buildings and structures, and the behaviors of those using them Location, age, air quality, food service, temperature, etc. Psychosocial environment Attitudes, values, feelings of students and staff

School Health Education The development, delivery, and evaluation of a planned curriculum Priority health content: Alcohol and other drugs, healthy eating, mental and emotional health, personal health and wellness, physical activity, safety/unintentional injury prevention, sexual health (abstinence and risk avoidance), tobacco, violence prevention

Development of and Sources of Health Education Curricula Many available from national specialists Approved curricula from state departments of education or health Health agencies and associations Commercially produced curricula National Health Education Standards

Other CSHP Components Counseling, psychological, and social services Physical education School nutrition services Family/community involvement for school health School-site health promotion for staff

Issues and Concerns of the School Health Program Lack of support for CSHP School health curriculum challenges School-based health centers Violence in schools

Lack of Support for CSHP Limited success in getting CSHP implemented across the country Need supportive legislation

School Health Curriculum Challenges Controversy Strong opinions on various topics Improper implementation Often provided by individuals other than health education specialists Barriers to school health education

School-Based Health Centers or School-Linked Health Centers Rapidly growing concept Provided in different ways; most common is in school building Common features among various centers “Cultural wars” Funding challenges

Violence in Schools High profile incidents of violence in schools Bullying Electronic aggression Recommendations for improving school climate as it relates to violence

Discussion Questions Why is a CSHP so challenging to implement in every school district? How can schools have more effective health programs with limited funding?