It takes a Village to Raise a Healthy Child: Leveraging public health departments to create a school wellness network across Nebraska

Let’s Get to Know Each Other

Agenda  What is Action for Healthy Kids  Why school wellness  Tools for schools  How health departments can help  Share school health needs assessment results  Facilitated brainstorming- where can I build capacity and how does this fit into my role and responsibilities  Large group Q and A

Sharing Goals  What do you hope to achieve today?  What does school health mean to you?  Why are you here?

WHAT IS ACTION FOR HEALTHY KIDS?

Who We Are Action for Healthy Kids® (AFHK) fights childhood obesity, undernourishment and physical inactivity by helping schools become healthier places so kids can lead healthier lives.

Our goal is to create school communities where children learn how to make healthy choices from the minute they walk in the front door to the minute they leave at the end of the school day. Who We Are

WHY SCHOOL HEALTH?

Why Schools? Good Food + Active Bodies = Kids Equipped for Success Healthy Kids Learn Better

Unless we take action today, about half of these kids will be obese adults ─ and counted among the millions of new cases of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. The Problem Look around a kindergarten classroom.

 One out of three children are overweight or obese.  On a given day 30-40% of children and adolescents eat fast food.  Children spend more than 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen for non-school purposes.  Kids view more than 40,000 commercials on TV each year and 87% of the food and beverages they see are for unhealthy foods.  Only one in three children are physically active every day.  Only six states require physical education at every grade level. The Challenge Institute of Medicine, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, American Pyschological Association

Prevalence of obesity among Nebraska students in grades 1, 4, 7, and Youth BMI Surveillance Project Report: % of NE students are overweight or obese ( )

Percentage of 9 th -12 th grade students consuming fruits and vegetables during the past week The Learning Connection: Undernourished children tend to have low energy, are often irritable, and have difficulty concentrating.

Percentage of 9-12 th grade students who reported being physically active for 60 minutes/ day in the past week

Exercise increases brain activity – even just a short 20- minute walk Other research shows obesity may have negative effects on thinking Physical Activity Matters to Your Brain, Too

Schools are a big part of the solution  Schools reach most children and adolescents.  Children spend around 1,200 hours per year in school.  Teachers, school staff and parent volunteers are key role models.  Curriculum standards for health include nutrition and physical education.  School teach kids what we value and what is important in our community.

TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS

Every Kid Healthy Equation

School Action Plans ► School Health Index ► Training ► Webinars School wellness policy The role of PTO in student wellness

Programs and Practices ► Game On! and Fuel Up to Play 60 ► Funding for alternative breakfast

School- Family- Community Partnerships ► Technical Assistance ► Experts in a variety of fields/ topics

HOW PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS CAN HELP

Opportunity to collaborate Schools Public Health Departments Action for Healthy Kids

School Health Index (SHI)

Complete SHI & Receive Customized Action Plan

Health-certified schools  The HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms is a national certification/recognition initiative recognizing schools that have created healthier school environments through the promotion of nutrition and physical activity.  Schools can apply for various levels and there is even a financial incentive for schools that have been awarded.* *As long as funds are available

Focus areas  Formation of school health teams  School Health Index Assessment  Drafting and evaluating school wellness policies  Implementing programs like Game On! and Fuel Up to Play 60 to initiate healthier practices  Funding alternative breakfast programs  Providing training/funding for healthy fundraising, safe and healthy classroom celebrations and active events to engage parents

SCHOOL HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY RESULTS

School Health Needs Assessment

Q7: In what ways could your public health department work with schools if provided adequate resources? (Check all that apply.)

School Health Needs Assessment Select feedback:  “It would be good for all of us to be working together toward school/community wellness. Thank you for asking the question.”  “I've been part of NE AFHK since A lot of our local schools are part of it too. Let's continue to build the partnership with engaging parents and the community as well.”  “We absolutely do not have the capacity.”

BREAK-OUT INTO GROUPS & ANSWER: Where can I build capacity and how does this fit into my role and responsibilities?

WRAP-UP You’ve got questions, I’ve got (some) answers

Get started today! Contact: Ashley Carroll State Coordinator Action for Healthy Kids healthykids.org (402) School Programs  Tools and Resources  Expert Partners Volunteer Opportunities  School Grants ActionforHealthyKids.org