Developing a comprehensive school wellness policy as part of a coordinated school health program

School wellness policies are an important tool for creating changes in the school environment and facilitating school culture change to reflect a priority on comprehensive wellness. The Child Nutrition & WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires that all school districts with a federally-funded school meals program develop and implement a school wellness policy that addresses nutrition and physical activity. School Health Connection, a program of the Louisiana Public Health Institute, began implementing comprehensive wellness programs in New Orleans public schools in 2009. School Health Connection works with school boards and charter management organizations to develop comprehensive school wellness policies with consideration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Coordinated School Health framework. The Coordinated School Health framework recognizes that school health is multifaceted through eight interrelated components. Expanding the scope of the policy beyond nutrition and physical activity can have a greater impact on increasing positive health behavior and health outcomes for students and staff. Developing a comprehensive school wellness policy as part of a Coordinated School Health program helps facilitate a collaborative program planning process within the school community to achieve health promotion goals. This presentation will discuss lessons learned from working with public schools in New Orleans, as well as strategies for developing comprehensive school wellness policies within the Coordinated School Health framework.