Schools
School Health is the comprehensive efforts both within the school and the community, that provide each and every student with the resources needed to thrive within a healthful environment. School Health initiatives should work to promote inclusive environments in which students can learn together about, and develop, healthy behaviors overtime.
Utah is committed to provide school health and wellness resources, support and technical assistance to all local education agencies (LEAs), schools, parents and students. School health will enhance student learning and support the development of lifelong wellness. The Healthy Environments Active Living program works with the Utah State Board of Education and other partners and organizations to ensure that school health is a priority within the school setting. Best practices to guide schools to develop policies and healthy environmental settings can follow the CDC's framework known as the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child, or WSCC model. The WSCC model is student-centered and emphasizes the role of the community in supporting the school, the connections between health and academic achievement and the importance of evidence-based school policies and practices.
The model provides 10 component areas to help address a well rounded school health environment.
- Physical education and physical activity.
- Nutrition environment and services.
- Health education.
- Social and emotional climate.
- Physical environment.
- Health services (School Nursing and other services).
- Counseling, psychological and social services.
- Employee wellness.
- Community involvement.
- Family engagement