A Local Health Department, School Districts and Community Stakeholders Collaborate to Implement Federally Mandated School Wellness Policies

ABSTRACT:

Background- The school environment is a major focus of intervention to transform local physical activity and healthy eating opportunities for children. School Wellness Policies provide school districts the opportunity to make changes benefiting children's health and learning. Members of a countywide healthy eating and active living task force formed a School Wellness Committee to support the implementation of school wellness policies. This committee consists of representatives from the San Mateo County Health System, school district representatives, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

Methods- The School Wellness Committee has provided various resources and technical assistance to school districts. A needs assessment with over 300 responses was conducted to identify areas of further support for parents, students, teachers, and administrators to implement school wellness policies. The assessment pointed to some key next steps that included the need for information, training, and resources on funding alternatives, nutrition education for students, and promoting physical activity.

Results- The committee held a convening ‘From Paper to Practice: Implementing your School Wellness Policy' that helped schools learn practical ways to implement their wellness policies and provided mini-grants to help carry out some component of their wellness policy. Using data from the needs assessment, further technical assistance and resources have included a ‘Healthy Green: Ideas for School Fund Raising' event that provided practical information to facilitate healthy school fund raising efforts; and ‘Collaborating with School Board Members on School Wellness Implementation' luncheon for parents and teachers who are interested in monitoring the implementation of their School Wellness Policy.