Local Health Departments as Partners in School Health: A State-Wide Assessment of Collaboration for Coordinated School Health

Background – Coordinated School Health (CSH) is an eight component model designed to promote optimal student health and learning.  Key to successful implementation of CSH are collaborative efforts with diverse stakeholders, including local health departments (LHD).  While LHD are uniquely positioned to support school health efforts, there is considerable variation in the level of engagement.  Methods - A web-based survey was implemented among Ohio LHD over 4 weeks during the spring of 2013 utilizing Ohio’s Public Health Practice Based Research Network. One response per health department from the health or nursing director was requested (response rate 72%, n=90 of 125).  Engagement in school health efforts was measured based on reported involvement in each area of the CSH model.  Results -34.6% of LHD reported providing school nursing services, 15.2% the presence of a school health coordinator, and 52.2% receiving external funding to support school health.  LHD also reported involvement in efforts related to school health environment (90.0%), health education (75.6%), and health services (71.9%).  LHD were less likely to report involvement in physical education (60.2%), counseling, psychological, and social services (74.7%).  Higher levels of CSH engagement were significantly associated with provision of school nursing services and external funding. Presence of a school health coordinator was not significantly associated with CSH engagement.  Conclusions - Wide variation in the involvement of LHD in CHS exists, representing lost opportunity for health improvement.  Collaborative efforts are strengthened by the provision of human and financial resources specifically allocated to support school health.