CDC Healthy Schools

fostering the health and well-being of students and staff.

The Healthy Schools program, as outlined on the CDC’s website, is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to fostering the health and well-being of students and staff within educational environments across the United States. Its primary objectives include establishing safe and supportive school atmospheres, encouraging healthy habits among students and staff, and addressing health disparities.

Emphasizing key areas like nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease prevention, mental health, and substance abuse and violence prevention, the program aims to equip schools with the necessary resources and support to promote health and wellness effectively. It underscores the significance of collaboration among schools, communities, and various stakeholders to achieve its goals. By integrating health-promoting practices into the fabric of education, the Healthy Schools program strives to cultivate environments that empower individuals to thrive academically and physically.

The Whole School Whole Community Whole Child (WSCC) model is our framework for addressing health in schools.

CDC WSCC Model

The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child, or WSCC model, is CDC’s framework for addressing health in schools. The WSCC model is student-centered and emphasizes the role of the community in supporting the school, the connections between health and academic achievement and the importance of evidence-based school policies and practices. The WSCC model has 10 components:

Physical education and physical activity.
Nutrition environment and services.
Health education.
Social and emotional climate.
Physical environment.
Health services.
Counseling, psychological and social services.
Employee wellness.
Community involvement.
Family engagement.

Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP)

CDC, in collaboration with SHAPE America, developed a step-by-step guide for schools and school districts to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive school physical activity programs. The guide can be read and used by an existing school health council or wellness committee, or by a new group or committee made up of physical education coordinators and teachers, classroom teachers, school administrators, recess supervisors, before- and after-school program supervisors, parents, and community members. It can be used to develop a new comprehensive school physical activity program or assess and improve an existing one.

Project Timeline

Identify School Health Team Leads and Team Members

School Wellness Team Sends Representative to School Health Index Webinar

Completion of School Health Index by School Wellness Teams

Technical Support for School Health Index/Action Plans

Allocation of School-Level Funds Based on School Health Index and Related Planning

January 2024

February 2024

April 2024

May 2024

August 2024

Project Focus

WV Healthy Schools in Action focuses on two strategies to increase school physical activity, healthy dietary behaviors, and support for those with chronic health conditions.

Strategy 1: Working with WV Statewide

Develop and implement online modules and webinars with assistance from various partners to educate school personnel about the following: state school health assessments (YRBS, SHP, WellSAT 3.0, and WV CARDIAC data), Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child framework (WSCC), Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programming (CSPAP), School Health Action Plan Development, Healthy Foods Policies and Practice, Mental health support, Health Equity in Schools and Communities, Staff Wellness, Communities in Schools Health Integration.
Provide Professional Development and Technical Assistance to address the formation of School Health Action Plans
Establish a statewide coalition with representatives from the components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework
Disseminate new resources for school implementation (ie virtual health instructional modules, virtual teacher resource of physical activity integration lesson ideas, etc)

Strategy 2: Working with Mercer County Schools

What We Will Provide for Mercer County Schools

Conduct a school-based needs assessment
Develop a School Health Action Plan

Allocate Funding to Help With Yearly Goals
Professional Development and Technical Assistance
Establish a School Wellness Team
Establish District Councils
Work collaboratively with the county school administration to facilitate their goals and objectives related to school wellness, healthy school policies and practices, and community support and involvement
Publicity of Success Stories

Possible Activities for Funding

Any part of CSPAP – physical activity opportunities before, during, or after school, physical education, staff wellness, community involvement
Support for a healthy school nutrition environment
Outside of school programs
Resources to support students with chronic conditions
Resources to support students’ mental health

Improving the culture of physical activity in our state by providing awareness, education, guidance, and opportunities.

Get Involved

We want everyone interested in promoting physical activity in West Virginia involved in the Center.

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