Ch. 6
School Health Services
Health services provided by school health workers to appraise, protect, and promote the health of students
Development of and Sources of Health Education Curricula
Various methods and sources available
Psychosocial environment
a. Attitudes, feelings and values of students and staff
Monitoring the Status of School Health Policy in the United States
CDC conducts national survey to assess school health policies and practices every six years
Policy Development Resources
1. Action for Healthy Kids 2. School Health Index
The Teacher's Role
1. Carries responsibility in making sure program works 2. Teachers spend more waking hours with students than parents 3. Observe normal and abnormal behaviors and issues
Lack of Support for Coordinated School Health Programs
Challenges with legislation for the CSHP
Violence in Schools
1. High profile incidents of violence in schools increased public awareness 2. More males involved in violent acts than females
School-Based Health Centers or School-Linked Health Centers
1. Majority located in school buildings 2. Most today in urban areas 3. Have common features
Policy Development
1. Should be executed by the school health council 2. Should cover all facets of the school health program 3. Once written, should receive approval from key stakeholders
The Need for School Health
A. Unhealthy children have difficult time learning 1. Unable to concentrate; may distract others 2. Health and success in school are interrelated B. School health programs are included in Healthy People 2020
Policy Implementation
Distribution of policies to all who will be affected by them
Coordinated School Health Program
Includes comprehensive school health education, school health policies, a healthy school environment, school counseling, physical education
School Health Advisory Council
Individuals from a school or school district and its community who work together to provide advice on aspects of coordinated school health program; also called school wellness council
Healthy School Environment
The promotion, maintenance, and utilization of safe and wholesome surroundings in a school a. School districts required by law to provide a safe school environment
Foundations of the School Health Program
Well-organized school health council, school administration that supports the effort, written school health policies
School Health Coordinator
a professional at the district or school level responsible for management and coordination of all school health policies, activities, and resources
Physical environment
a. Building and surrounding areas b. Behavior of those using the buildings, personnel and students
Priority health content
a. Alcohol and other drugs b. Healthy eating c. Mental and emotional health d. Personal health and wellness e. Physical activity f. Safety g. Sexual health (abstinence and risk avoidance) h. Tobacco i. Violence prevention
National Health Education Standards
a. Delineate essential knowledge and skills that every student should know and be able to do following completion of quality school health education b. Not federal mandate or national curriculum; provides foundation for curriculum development
Specific steps for creating local health-related policies
a. Identify the policy development team b. Assess the district's needs c. Prioritize needs and develop an action plan d. Draft a policy e. Build awareness and support f. Adopt and implement the policy g. Maintain, measure, and evaluate
Minimum standards of services recommended
a. State-mandated services b. Assessment of minor health complaints, medication administration, and care for students with special needs c. Management of emergencies and other urgent situations
School Nurse-Has many responsibilities and influences on the school health program
a. provide direct health care to students and staff b. provide leadership for the provision of health services c. provide screening and referral for health conditions d. promote a healthy school environment e. promote health f. serve in a leadership role for health policies and programs g. serve as a liaison between school personnel, family, community and health care providers
Bullying
aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves imbalance of power and strength a. Takes many forms; done in many ways
Coordinated School Health Program-
an organized set of policies, procedures, and activities designed to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of students and staff, thus improving a student's ability to learn
Advantages of school health services
equitability, breadth of coverage, confidentiality, user friendliness, convenience
Family/Community Involvement for School Health
integrated school/parent/community approach for enhancing health and well-being of students
Improper implementation
low priority on health in many districts; provided by individuals not trained in health education
Controversy
nature of certain topics create controversy in some districts and certain parts of the country
School-Site Health Promotion for Staff
opportunities for school staff to improve their health status through health-related assessments and activities
Scope
part of the curriculum that outlines what will be taught
Sequence
part of the curriculum that states the order the content will be taught
Physical Education
planned sequential curriculum that provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas
Counseling, Psychological and Social Services
services provided to improve students' mental, emotional, and social health
School Nutrition Services
should provide access to a variety of appealing and nutritious meals that accommodate health and nutrition needs
School Health Education
the development, delivery, and evaluation of a planned curriculum, kindergarten through grade 12
Curriculum
written plan for instruction
School Health Policies
written statements that describe the nature and procedures of a school health program