Indicator: 34 - 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. 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.
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 supported by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by the Maine State Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. In 2000, all public middle and high school principals in the state completed a survey to provide baseline data on the extent to which their school health programs included the eight
components listed above. The results (contained in the December 2000 report “Coordinating
School Health Programs in Maine”) included:
- Frequent, significant discrepancies existed between program elements that principals
valued highly and what they reported being in place in their schools. For only one of the
eight components (Nutrition and Food Services) was there a close relationship between
the two.
- The surveys demonstrated that principals wanted and needed model policies and
administrative procedures to help school personnel establish a coordinated school
health program.
- There was also statewide need for further education and training, specifically regarding
the nature and value of coordinating school health programs.
- Several schools had a strong commitment to the eight components of a coordinated
school health program and were possible “model demonstration sites” for sharing lessons
learned and for providing assistance to other emerging programs.
- Over half (57%) of the principals reported that they lacked sufficient resources (for
example, funds, staff or space) to fully implement and support a coordinated school
health program.
With ongoing support from the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services,
work to strengthen coordinated school health programs continues across the state. As of March
2003, 54 school districts had program coordinators, for instance. 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 topics.
