Transcript Implementing the School Health Index in Your School A discussion of the benefits of the School Health Index tool.

Implementing the School
Health Index in Your School
A discussion of the
benefits of the School
Health Index tool
Mission Statement
The American Cancer Society is the
Nationwide Community-based Voluntary
Health Organization Dedicated to Eliminating
Cancer as a Major Health Problem by
Preventing Cancer, Saving Lives and
Diminishing Suffering From Cancer, Through
Research, Education, Advocacy, and
Service.
Primary Focus on Chronic Disease
Prevention
•Health risk behaviors
begin in childhood and
persist into adulthood.
•Many of these behaviors
place adults at risk for
cancer.
•To prevent many
cancers we need to
prevent young people
from engaging in health
risk behaviors.
“Schools have more influence on the lives of
young people than any other social institution
except the family and provide a setting in which
friendship networks develop, socialization occurs,
and norms that govern behavior are developed
and reinforced.”
Healthy People 2010, U.S. Department
Academic performance is
compromised by poor health.
Physical Inactivity and Poor Diet contribute to risk factors for heart
disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
•27% of children age 5-10 have 1 or more
heart disease risk factors
•1 in 3 children born in the year 2000 will
develop Type II Diabetes (based on
current trends)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Students who engage in positive
health behaviors have:
 Improved attendance
 Better grades
 Higher graduation rates
 Increased standardized test scores
 Lower dropout rates
 Fewer behavioral problems at school
 More participation in school activities
 Higher aspirations for post secondary
education
How To Make A Coordinated
Approach Happen ...
Organize a school health council to
coordinate the school health program
–
Many schools are already implementing
some components of CSHP
–
Initially it may seem difficult
–
There are no set rules…consider what
will work best in your school community
What Is A School Health Council?
 An advisory body comprised of faculty and staff
from the coordinated school health program
– School nurses; health educators; physical
educators; administrators; counselors;
food service personnel
 Additional members
– Parents; members of community health
agencies; faith community; local
businesses; students
 Members should be committed to the health
of children and youth
Benefits of a School Health Council
• Improve overall health
education
• Link schools with
community health resources
• Provide a means for
improving school health
policies and programs
• Educate the community
about the school and health
issues
• Increase parent and
community involvement in
the school
Our Work In Philadelphia
-School District of Philadelphia: 214,350
students enrolled in 2003/2004 school year
and 276 schools
-Large, urban environment with challenges
such as poverty, violence, competing issues
-Formed partnership between ACS, the Food
Trust and the District
-Will form 100 school health councils over the
next four years
Philadelphia, continued
-work collaboratively by holding weekend educational
programs for council members/participants in Food
Trust program
-Meet one-on-one with schools to help form councils,
discuss/assist with SHI, develop action plans to
address weaknesses identified on SHI
-To date, there are 25 new school health councils
formed in the 03-04 school year
-Meetings to be held over next 2 weeks for additional
schools to form councils and to administer the SHI
Q: How Can Schools Begin?
A: By Completing the School Health
Index
-The School Health Index is a Self-Assessment and
Planning guide from the Dept. of Health and Human
Services/the CDC.
-It will enable your school to identify strengths and
weaknesses in health promotion policies and
programs.
-It will help your school develop an action plan for
improving student health.
-It involves the necessary parties of parents, students,
teachers and the community – all working together to
improve school health policies, programs and
services.
The School Health Index
-Focus on Physical Activity, Healthy Eating,
and a Tobacco-Free Lifestyle
-8 Different modules based on CSHP
- Health Education
- Physical Education
- Health Services
- Nutrition Services
- Counseling, Psychological and Social Services
- Healthy School Environment
- Health Promotion for Staff
- Family/Community Involvement
The School Health Index
-available at no cost
-Can be complete in as little as 5 hours
-Many improvements you will want to make
can be done with existing staff and resources
Getting Started…
-Identify a Site Coordinator and have that
individual review the 8 modules
-Assemble a School Health Index Team
Principal/Assistant Principal
Health Ed./Phys. Ed./Other teachers
Food Services
Parents
Students
School Nurse
School Counselor/psychologist/social worker
Coaches
Community-based HCP
Community-based Social Service Provider
Community-based health agency (e.g. ACS; Food Trust)
Completing the Modules…
-Assign modules to appropriate Index Team
members or subcommittees
-Answer questions as accurately as possible –
no “passing grade,” not designed to be
punitive
-Expect at least some low scores – look at
these as areas that carry potential
-Have each team develop and rate a set of
recommendations
Next Steps:
-Meet with full team to discuss
recommendations
-Select a manageable number to address
-Complete School Health Improvement Plan
-IMPORTANT NOTE: There are two separate
tools – one for elementary and one for
Middle/High Schools
The American Cancer Society Supports
School Health Because:
• Health education in schools can help to
prevent cancer.
• Health education in the classroom must be
reinforced and coordinated with other
components of the school health program.
• A coordinated school health program can
lead to healthier students and communities,
and can ultimately reduce cancer risks.
THANK YOU!!!
1-800-ACS-2345
www.cancer.org
“Never doubt that a small group of committed
people can change the world. Indeed, it is the
only thing that ever has.”
~ Margaret Mead