School Health Connections (SHC) is a joint program between Department of Public Health (CDPH) and California Department of Education (CDE). SHC’s goal is to ensure that children are healthy and ready to learn. SHC takes advantage of the pivotal position of schools in reaching children and families by combining health education, health promotion and disease prevention, and access to health-related services in an integrated and systematic manner.
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Implementing a Coordinated School Health Approach Toolkit
Implementing a Coordinated School Health Approach.pdf
The Toolkit is designed for use by beginning to intermediate-level school health advocates who want to build their knowledge and capacity to implement and maintain a coordinated school health initiative in their school or school district
the Link between Coordinated School health and Academic Success
CSH Academic Achievement - Health Link 08-27-10.ppt
See this PowerPoint presentation that highlights research supporting the connection between school health interventions and improved student academic performance and related success. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Making It Happen! tells the stories of 32 schools and districts from across the United States. Students will buy and consume healthful foods and beverages and schools can make money from selling healthful options
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Adolescent and School Health
"School Health Index for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating"
The School Health Index is a self-assessment and planning tool that will enable schools to:
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of their physical activity and nutrition policies and programs.
• Develop an action plan for improving student health.
• Involve teachers, parents, students and the community in improving school services.
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- The Council of Chief State School Officers
"School Health Starter Kit" designed for use by Chief State school officers, state health officials, and their staff to help build support in communities and schools for coordinated school health. These materials contain: 1) common language to describe the benefits of a coordinated approach to school health; (2) clear, jargon-free messages that resonate with target audiences (e.g. parents, teachers, and others who work in schools and school administration); and (3) effective tools to enable action.
National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). Search the NASBE Publications Catalog.
Coordinated School Health Materials from across the Nation. This list of many CSH resources represents materials produced by a variety of organizations who are or have worked to improve student health. Topics include:
- Overall CSH
- Connection between health and academic success
- School health councils
- Policy
- Assessment
- Developing school-based action plans
- Creating and implementing CSH evaluation plans
- Partnerships
- Youth development
- Etc.
Fitnessgram
The State Board of Education (SBE) designated the FitnessGram as the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for students in California public schools. The FITNESSGRAM® is a comprehensive, health-related physical fitness battery developed by The Cooper Institute. The primary goal of the FitnessGram is to assist students in establishing lifetime habits of regular physical activity. FitnessGram testing occurs in the fifth, seventh, and ninth grades.
After clicking on the above link, use the “Level” pull-down menu to designate the desired parameter (e.g., state, county, district, school, etc.). Then use the “Subject” pull-down menu to input “Physical Fitness Test.” Finally hit “Submit.” Next select the desired year. Now type in the first few letters of the specific entity name you selected in the previous “Level” option. Finally click on “Submit” to receive your report.
CA Standard Tests
These are called STAR tests. Results are provided for a number of subjects including English – language arts, mathematics (various levels), history – social science, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.
After clicking on the above link, use the “Level” pull-down menu to designate the desired parameter (e.g., state, county, district, school, etc.). Then use the “Subject” pull-down menu to input “STAR Test Results.” Finally hit “Submit.” Next select the desired year. Now type in the first few letters of the specific entity name you indicated in the previous “Level” option. Make sure the next text box accurately lists the entity you have chosen. Now verify or designate the parameters that pop-up on the next page. Finally click on “View Report” to generate your report.
California Healthy Kids Survey
The California Healthy Kids Survey provides data that can assist schools in: (1) preventing youth health-risk behaviors and other barriers to academic achievement; (2) promoting positive youth development, resilience, and well-being; and (3) fostering positive school climates and engagement in learning.
Most questions are directed to students in grades seven, nine, and eleven. The survey provides self-report data on issues including: truancy, grades, school environment, community environment, school connectedness, alcohol use, tobacco use, violence and safety practices, weapons possession, harassment, gang involvement, physical and mental health, and after-school activities, etc.
School Health Profiles
School Health Profiles (Profiles) is a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, territories, and tribal governments. Profiles are conducted biennially by education and health agencies among middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers.
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (National)
Discover the prevalence of youth high-risk behaviors including those related to unintentional injury and violence; tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; unhealthy dietary behaviors; physical inactivity; and sexual practices related to unintentional pregnancy, STDs, and HIV, etc. Also find the prevalence of asthma and obesity in youth and young adults.
Guidance Document: Strategies for Improving Communication and Collaboration Between Local Educational Agencies and Local Health Departments
This document describes the current extent of collaboration and communication occurring between local (county or district) health departments (LHDs) and local educational agencies (LEAs: school districts and schools) in California. The report also suggests strategies and tips for improving collaboration and communication between LHDs and LEAs. Once these two entities are working harmoniously together, they are best positioned to cooperate on integrating coordinated school health (CSH) measures into school systems.
CSH Success Stories
Read about the accomplishments that schools - often in collaboration with students, families, and community partners - have experienced regarding implementation of CSH activities that support student and staff health along with pupil academic achievement.
Student Health and Academic Achievement
Access fact sheets produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that describe the correlation between specific health practices or risk behaviors and academic success.
Find Potential Funding
Find a center near you where you can receive training and/or research tools to identify potential funders to support CSH initiatives.
Health and Student Achievement (Making the Connection 2)
The Society of State Leaders in Health Promotion and Health Education, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted a comprehensive review of research articles focusing on the impact of integrating health measures.