2010 School Health (SH) Fact Sheet

Program Description

Target

Faculty, administrators and school health personnel in the 4,064 public and 1,434 non-public Illinois schools

Purpose

To equip school staff with the knowledge and skills to improve the health and well being of school-aged children statewide

Services

School Health Days and Critical Issues Conferences are provided annually for school health personnel to address current health issues. Topics may include communicable diseases, immunization law, genetics, food allergy, Medicaid services, asthma management, mental health issues, physical activity/nutrition education, tobacco/substance abuse prevention and chronic health problems. In addition, 12 communities receive coordinated school health grants. A local health department in partnership with a school or school district administers these projects. The partners identify local health needs and implement projects to address identified needs using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 8 component Coordinated School Health Program model.

Delivery Method

Phone, e-mail, newsletter, website, manuals on school health topics (asthma, diabetes, medication administration), conferences

Program Data

Program Effectiveness

• Approximately 270 school health personnel attended Spring 10 Critical Issues conferences which addressed genetic disease and impact on health needs and learning.
• Over 900 school health personnel attended Fall 10 School Health Days which addressed immunization requirements wellness policy implementation, Medicaid dental services, food allergy, asthma management. Coordinated School Health grantees implemented the CATCH program to improve physical activity, nutrition and health education in local schools.