Why Support a Coordinated Approach to School Health

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A Coordinated Approach to School HealthMake It
Happen
A Coordinated Approach to School HealthMake It
Happen
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Make It Happen
Many communities are already implementing some
components of CSHn At first, CSH may seem
difficultn Remember, there are no set
rules. Consider what will work best in your
local community
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Your SchoolToday To begin CSH, you need to
know whats already happeningin your school and
community
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Your School Today
So, its time to ask some questions, like
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Your School Today
So, its time to ask some questions, like n
What types of health programs exist?
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Your School Today
So, its time to ask some questions, like n
What types of health programs exist?n Are
there connections among different health
program efforts?
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Your School Today
So, its time to ask some questions, like n
What types of health programs exist?n Are
there connections among different health
program efforts?n Whats working and whats not
working?
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Your School Today
So, its time to ask some questions, like n
What types of health programs exist?n Are
there connections among different health
program efforts?n Whats working and whats not
working?n Whats missing?
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Your School Today
So, its time to ask some questions, like n
What types of health programs exist?n Are
there connections among different health
program efforts?n Whats working and whats not
working?n Whats missing?n What would make
your approach a truly coordinated one?
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n Assess your local, community, city, and state
policies and public health mandates to
determine what school health requirements
existn Collect available data from your local
school district, DOH, and local DOE
Step One
Assess
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n Interview key people, distribute a
written questionnaire to others (including
parents, principals, teachers, and staff), and
review current curriculum, materials, and
existing school/community programs
Step One
Assess
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n Identify existing components of a
coordinated approachn Determine the level of
community support for school health from such
sectors as public health departments
parents religious organizations
businesses social service agencies mass
media/reporters
Step Two
Identify
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government community groups youth
organizations health organizations
Step Two
Identify
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A coordinated approach will look different in
differentcommunities. Identify the most pressing
child andadolescent health problems locally and
start there!n Health issues in urban areas
often differ greatly from suburban and rural
areasn Certain health and safety issues depend
on geographic location
Step Three
Build School Support
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Whats Absolutely CriticalA school principal
or assistant who recognizesthe importance and
valueof such a coordinatedschool health effort
Step Three
Build School Support
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Other opinion leaders to include in building a
CSH consensusn Parentsn Teachersn
Counselorsn School board members n Social
workersn Psychologists
Step Three
Build School Support
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n Nursesn Food service directorsn School
volunteersn Drug and alcohol prevention
coordinatorsn Health department
administratorsn Staff of state or local
voluntary health organizations
Step Three
Build School Support
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You may run into some people who are opposed to
CSH. To determine who might be opposed,
consider askingQ What are common
misconceptions about CSH?Q What are differing
views about how programs will affect children,
parents, community?Q Which parts of the
coordinated approach present a problem?Q What
needs do those who object have that CSH might
fill?
Step Four
Overcome Objections
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Steps 1-4 help providen An assessment of what
is, or is not happeningn Knowledge of
community support groups, organizations,
and influential individuals
Step Five
Put It All Together
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n A detailed view of what constitutes CSH in
your arean A list of reporters who can be
accessed to cover the topicn An awareness of
who opposes CSH and how to address their
concerns
Step Five
Put It All Together
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Make It Happen
Design a Structuren Successful
school- community partnerships exist on many
levels as task forces, coalitions, advisory
committees, or subcommittees to existing
groups
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Make It Happen
n Consider where local organizations stand on
school healthn Determine if you can work
through an existing group, or if you need to
establish a new group
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Make It Happen
When recruiting members to a new, or existing,
entityn Identify skills and expertise members
needn Target individuals and/or organizations
that have - interest in/commitment to the
issue - familiarity with the political
system - credibility - financial/in-kind
resources or fundraising ability - contacts with
other potential allies
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Make It Happen
n Make sure people understand how
much involvement you expectn Build support
through media relations, the CSH poster, and
advertisingn Develop a leadership structure and
set of operating procedures once the group is
established
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Make It Happen
Youll needn A chair to lead the group and an
agenda n A mission statement with goalsn
Recognition procedures
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Your Community Tomorrow
Determine Priorities n Once you form your
group, determine priorities (The worksheets
provided in the kit can help)
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Your Community Tomorrow
Helping to Involve People in the Communityn
Approach groups you have identified for
participation and/or supportn The goal is
twofold 1. Educate them about the advantages
of CSH 2. Present concrete steps to support
the approach and get them involved
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Your Community Tomorrow
Carefully consider the benefits of school
healthto each group. Work with them to help
themsee how a coordinated approach can helpthem
further their mission.
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Your Community Tomorrow
For examplen Parent Organizations CSH
reinforces the role of parents in
teaching children to make smart choices for life
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Your Community Tomorrow
For examplen Parent Organizations CSH
reinforces the role of parents in
teaching children to make smart choices for life
n Business Leaders CSH helps prepare todays
students for entering the workplace tomorrow
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Your Community Tomorrow
For examplen Parent Organizations CSH
reinforces the role of parents in
teaching children to make smart choices for life
n Business Leaders CSH helps prepare todays
students for entering the workplace tomorrow
n Voluntary Health Organizations CSH is
supportive of their mission
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Your Community Tomorrow
n School Administration and School Boards
Programs can improve classroom behavior,
attendance, teacher and staff morale, and
reduce absenteeism
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Your Community Tomorrow
n School Administration and School Boards
Programs can improve classroom behavior,
attendance, teacher and staff morale, and
reduce absenteeism
n Health Departments CSH supports state and
local health departments by assisting these
entities in improving and protecting the health
of young people
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Your Community Tomorrow
Make a Difference!And Remember n To succeed,
kids need to learn to read, write,... and
understand mathn They cant learn if theyre
hungry, or tiredn They cant study if theyre
using alcohol, marijuana, or other drugsn
They cant concentrate if theyre depressed or
stressed
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Your Community Tomorrow
Start Slow Build a CaseRegister a few
victories early in the process to build
momentum.n A coordinated approach to school
health is a powerful way to reinforce positive,
healthy behaviors throughout the school dayn
Good health and learning go hand in hand
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Healthy Kids Make Better Students.
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Healthy Kids Make Better Students. Better
Students Make Healthy Communities.
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