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Healthy Children, Ready Learners
Coordinated School Health
Programs (CSHPs)
What Is the
“Healthy Schools Network”?

A broad-based coalition of education and
health agencies, non-profit organizations, and
members of the community

Committed to creating healthy school
environments and helping students realize
their learning potential
Why We Came Together

To promote and support the
implementation of school health
initiatives at the local, regional, and
state levels through:
– collaboration
– communication
– coordination
“Healthy Children Are Ready Learners!”
What We Hope to Accomplish

Develop the support and resources
needed to establish coordinated school
health programs (CSHPs) in our
communities

Provide youth with the knowledge and
skills to make the right choices—for life
What We’ll Do Today
Share information about CSHPs and
their impact on student performance
 Explain how your business will benefit
in the short- and long-term by
supporting CSHPs
 Discuss how your business can
contribute to the success of CSHPs

The Mission of Coordinated School
Health Programs ...

Coordinated school health programs
(CSHPs):
– Integrated, planned, school-based
programs that are designed to promote the
physical, emotional, and educational
development of students
– They include health education and
promotion, disease prevention, and access
to health-related services
Why CSHPs Are Needed ...
What the Statistics Reveal


“For the first time in the history of this country,
young people are less healthy and less
prepared to take their places in society than
were their parents.” (Code Blue, 1990)
Today’s young people are vulnerable to
multiple-risk behaviors that may lead to:
– violence, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use,
teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other sexually
transmitted diseases, depression, suicide, injury,
and school failure
Why CSHPs Are Needed ...
What Experience Tells Us

Administrators, teachers, and parents have
noted several benefits of CSHPs, including:
– Reduced absenteeism
– Fewer behavioral problems
– Improved classroom performance
– More alert students, more positive attitudes
(Health is Academic, 1998)
Poor health interferes with learning!
Why CSHPs Are Needed ...
What the Experts Say

“Schools offer the most systematic and efficient
means available to improve the health of youth
and enable young people to avoid health risks ...”
Healthy People 2000, U.S. Public Health Service
CSHPs Help Instill Lifelong Healthy Habits in Youth!
Why CSHPs Are Needed ...
What the Experts Say
CSHPs Address the Needs of the Whole Child!
Parents (Your Employees)
Support CSHPs



An American Cancer Society study found that
more than 80% of parents wanted health
education taught in schools and thought it
was as important as other school subjects
92% of parents with teenagers support
education about AIDS and other sexually
transmitted diseases
96% of parents support teaching children to
solve problems and make good health
decisions (The Gallup Poll, 1994)
The Business Community’s Role
in Education and Health



The business community has been one of the
driving forces behind education reform
Business leaders are concerned about the
employability of graduates and schools’ ability
to build a healthy, skilled, and productive
future workforce
Businesses hold an influential position in the
community and can help implement school
health programs
How CSHPs Benefit Businesses



CSHPs may help improve the health and
school performance of students, which helps
contribute to a healthy and productive
workforce for the future (Health is Academic)
The leading causes of premature adult
deaths (heart disease, cancer, accidents) are
directly related to habits established during
childhood and adolescence (Kolbe, 1990)
Parents are better able to work and be
productive when their children are healthy
and able to stay in school
How CSHPs Benefit Businesses

CSHPs may help reduce employee
absenteeism, increase productivity, and
promote more positive attitudes and less stress

Improving children’s health today may help
reduce spiraling health care costs in the future
and improve economic productivity (NSBA, 1991)
How CSHPs Benefit Businesses

CSHPs foster skills such as decision making
and problem solving that are critical in the
workplace (Fetro, 1992)

Supporting CSHPs strengthens your image as
a company that cares about the community
A Handshake:
Business
Support and
Involvement
How Your Business Can Support
CSHPs

Get Involved!
– Join the Healthy Schools Network
– Support state and local programs that
promote CSHPs
– Provide financial or in-kind donations to
help establish CSHPs in local schools
– Adopt CSHPs as a corporate cause; rally
employees to volunteer and get involved
How Your Business Can Support
CSHPs

Take an Active Role!
– Adopt an element of CSHPs at a local
school
– Serve as a community advocate or media
spokesperson to educate the public
– Sponsor local events to educate the
community about CSHPs
– Challenge other businesses to join the
cause
Where Do We Go From Here?
Schools + Businesses =
Healthy Children, Healthy
Communities, and a
Healthy Workforce!
Thank You!