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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Judith M. Ottoson, EdD, MPH, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 4039, Atlanta, GA 30302-4039, 404-651-0605, judithottoson@gsu.edu and Elizabeth Stevenson, MPH, Children and Youth Initiatives, American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-4251.
Comprehensive School Health Programs (CSHP) have the potential to significantly reduce or prevent some of the most serious chronic health problems in the United States. To promote CSHP, the American Cancer Society (ACS) developed the National School Health Coordinator Leadership Institute (NSHCLI). The Institute is an innovative three-year intervention that consists of an annual, week-long educational intervention, followed in six months by a "booster" session. This study presents findings from an outcome evaluation covering a one and a half year period. Methodology used to assess outcomes included questionnaires, telephone interviews, and participant observation at each Institute session. The coordinators invited to the Institute (n=50) work in challenging environments were health competes with other priorities and "the R's rule." The coordinators, as a group, are highly educated, work in varied settings, and most often juggle coordination responsibilities with other responsibilities. Evaluation findings show measurable progress on key indicators related to the five overarching NSHCLI outcomes including organizational capacity, advocacy, leadership skills, teaching, and resource development. For example, coordinators with a written job description increased from 37% to 68%; and coordinators reporting a functioning school health council increased from 25% to 61%. Welcomed ripple or catalytic effects from the Institute include efforts by coordinators to work with State Agencies and local ACS affiliates to replicate the Institute. Follow-up of the current Institute participants, replications, and ripple effects are key evaluation agenda items for the coming year.
Learning Objectives: As a result of this session, the learner will be able to
Keywords: Evaluation, School Health