Healthy Schools Leadership Program Findings and Lessons Learned

Making it Real: HSLP & Coordinated School Health  NOT adding another program  Requires Systems Change  Schools and their communities become health-promoting

Replication of a National Model American Cancer Society implemented the first institute with school districts from all 50 states There are now over 10 planned or implemented replications nationwide Evaluation efforts at the national level are now focused on an Urban School Health Leadership Institute

Washington State was the First State Level Replication Many Partners  Comprehensive Health Education Foundation WA State Department of Health American Cancer Society OSPI, Vancouver SD Unique Innovations  School Building rather than District  Teams rather than administration  Local Focus  Evaluation was a priority from the beginning

Leadership Program Goal Areas To improve the health and wellness of students and staff To enhance the school’s capacity to meet the needs of students and staff To enhance family and community involvement and support for school health programming

Leadership Program Outcomes Support the Implementation of Coordinated School Health Programs Effectively Advocate for School Health Programs Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies to Identify Program Status Empower Effective School Health Teams Demonstrate a Coordinated School Health Program

The Process: Schools applied to the project A staff person was identified as the leader and main contact for the project Schools attend training two times a year in teams Teams create an action plan based on a five year vision of school health The project is evaluated based on the outcomes and the progress of the teams

The Process… Six teams were selected based on their applications and site visits Each year teams submitted applications for up to $2,000. of financial support for their action plans Travel and staff time for meetings/training were covered by the schools and districts

The Evaluation: Process and Outcome Training and technical assistance from the project Documentation of efforts  Action plans  Printed materials  Events Interviews Self-assessments Site visits

Schools Involved in C.H.E.F. HSLP Ever- green (Bethel) K-6 Kulshan (B’ham) 6-8 Skyridge (Camas) 7-8 Eisen- hower (Everett) 6-8 Olympic (Central Kitsap) Columbia (White Salmon) 9-12 No. of Students , F/R Lunch % 62% 24% 30% 18% 23% 20% 31% 10% 15% 26% 36% No. of Classroom Teachers

Index Mariner Matrix

Keys to Success—Staff Wellness Built buy-in, opportunities among all staff Incorporated into Staff Meetings Offered awards and recognition Facilitated social and emotional support

Staff Wellness Component

Impact on Student Academics Not planned as measure of program success  No control group  Very small number of schools  Very indirect intervention ‘Peek’ at overall WASL—Rates of Improvement  Compared to state average gains  Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Targets introduced in vs

What We Learned Rates of improvement higher than state avg., Gains in spite of increases in free/reduced lunch rates at all schools Parallel gains across schools Even those schools that started out well above state average, maintained their progress. Eisenhower noted as one of most improved MS in state

What are the Possibilities? A proven connection between Health and Academics in WA  How does this impact our current understanding and work? More Study  Rigorous evaluation  Rural, Urban, Suburban  Steps to a Healthier US Counties/Communities Link with current CSHP infrastructure activities  CDC Intent  Work Plan Goals

Lessons Learned: 1.Offer professional development 2.Measure coordinated school health 3.Focus on Staff Wellness 4. Advocate for policy change 5. Study impact on students’ academic success

Spectacular achievement is always preceded by spectacular preparation. ~R. Schuller

HSLP: Scope and Sequence Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4 & 5 Leadership Data Action Plans School Health Teams Advocacy Leadership Program Implementation Advocacy School Health Teams Active Leadership Ongoing program implementation Advocacy School Health Teams Active Infrastructure Leadership Sustained Programs Advocacy Established Health Teams Infrastructure MinigrantsMinigrants &… Funded efforts Training/TA Evaluation Site Visits Training/TA Evaluation Site Visits Training/TA Evaluation Site Visits Evaluation Follow Up TA Success Stories

Questions and Answers… Meeting Schedules & Locations Faculty and Facilitators Content Activities Between Meetings Site Visits Leveraging of Funds and Programs Others?

A Final Thought… “In the larger context, schools are society’s vehicle for providing young people with the tools for successful adulthood. Perhaps no tool is more essential than good health.” ~Council of Chief School Officers