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Heart Healthy Schools
What is Coordinated School Health?
 
The Coordinated School Health Program Model incorporates eight interactive components into the problem solving and decision making processes involved in developing a healthful learning environment.  Schools by themselves cannot be (and should not be) expected to solve the nation's most serious health and social problems.  The model consists of the following eight components:  Health Education, Physical Education, Health Services, Nutrition Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Healthy School Environment, Health Promotion for Staff, and Family and Community Involvement.
 
Once schools have assembled their school health teams with members representing each of the eight components, they should assess their school health environment by utilizing the School Health Index.  The SHI is a self-assessment and planning tool that schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs.
 
What are school wellness policies?
 
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 mandates that all local schools receiving federal funding must establish local school wellness policies that include guidelines for all foods available on school campuses during the school day and goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness. The wellness policy must also establish a plan for measuring implementation of the policy. 
 
Contact Court Witschey at 740-374-2782 or cvh@washco-ohhealth.org if your school could use assistance or resources in implementing its wellness policy. The Coalition may be able to help.