Indicator: 33 - Coordinated School Health Programs
Why This Is Important
Children cannot achieve their full potential when they are hungry,
fearful, abusing alcohol and other drugs, or discouraged. Healthy
school environments create an atmosphere for learning. By addressing
the physical, mental, social and emotional needs of young people,
they can be given the opportunity to reach their true potential
as learners. A Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) consists
of eight components for children and families:
- Comprehensive School Health Education - a kindergarten through
high school health education curriculum that is sequential and
developmentally appropriate and includes instruction and assessment.
- Physical Education and Physical Activity - physical education
classes and physical activity opportunities that promote physical
fitness and life long physical activity.
- School Counseling, Physical and Behavioral Health Services -
physical health and behavioral health services including school-based
health care, school nurses, school counseling, and substance abuse
services that meet the needs of all students.
- Nutrition Services - balanced and nutritious food and snacks
available at school and at school events.
- School Climate - a school atmosphere supported by programs and
policies that nurtures positive behaviors, assures safety and
provides a feeling of belonging and respect for all students.
- Physical Environment - physical structure, school grounds, and
transportation that is safe and aesthetic.
- Health Promotion/Wellness - worksite health promotion programs
that encourage and support staff in pursuing healthful behaviors
and lifestyles.
- Parent/Community/Youth Involvement - encouraging the participation
of parents and youth in policy development and school involvement.
This component also includes the integration and involvement of
community providers and community members with schools.
The Coordinated School Health Program model is a new one to the
State of Maine, supported by the national Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention and the State Departments of Education and Human
Services. No statewide indicator data is yet available, but staff
has begun to collect data on measures related to the eight program
components. State agency managers are also developing indicators
to track implementation of the infrastructure necessary to support
Coordinated School Health Programs in all Maine schools. As part
of the initial data collection, all 220 public middle and high school
principals in the state were surveyed in 2000 to obtain baseline
data on the current status of their school health programs.
This indicator is included in the Marks because it is considered
a critical measure of how schools, and their community partners,
provide supports to help all children succeed. The website for the
CSHP initiative (http://www.mainecshp.com)
features guidelines/best practices for each of the eight components
and additional information on CSHP-related topics2001.
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