Damar Services Inc. school health index assessment

The objective of the Damar Services Inc community project is to incorporate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) School Health Index (SHI) in order to assess the current health and wellness policies of Damar. The Assessment was performed using the 2004 version of the “Self Assessment and Planning Guide” that is available from the CDC. This guide is broken down into two tools - Elementary and Middle/High School. Each of these tools was further broken down into eight modules that follow the Coordinated School Health Program model. Given that Damar is a unique learning environment that includes multiple settings for different kinds of behavior and developmentally challenged clients, limitations concerning CDC School Health Index's applicability were identified and accounted for prior to assessment process. Module scores ranged from a low of 49.3% in the Health Education Module to a high of 86.1% in the School Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services. Through careful coordination with Damar faculty, families, and clients, evaluators were able to determine health priorities and challenges specific to Damar, and suggest recommendations to promote the health of clients in the form of reduced obesity, healthier eating habits, and increased physical activity. These recommendations were prioritized according to importance, cost, time, commitment, and feasibility. The long term goal of the assessment process will pave the way for Damar to implement these plans in an effort to improve the health of Damar's clients.