Coordinated School Health Program
Coordinated School Health (CSH), funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a partnership between Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). The vision of Coordinated School Health is that all Massachusetts children and adolescents will develop into physically, socially, and emotionally healthy adults, educationally prepared to become contributing members of society. The overall goal of Coordinated School Health is to help schools deliver evidence-based comprehensive health education, develop and implement health-related policies, and provide health-promoting school environments.
CSH staff provide training, technical assistance and resources to schools to promote the healthy development of Massachusetts youth, especially as related to increasing Physical Activity, improving Nutrition, eliminating Tobacco use (PANT), and addressing other important health issues. CSH collects the biannual School Health Profiles surveys on health-related programs in Massachusetts middle and high schools, and also works to increase coordination between schools and communities and among state-level agencies and organizations. We work in close collaboration with other CDC/DASH-funded staff in the HIV/AIDS Program and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
Massachusetts School Wellness Award:
The Coordinated School Health Program sponsors annual Massachusetts School Wellness Awards. The criteria for the award are based on state and national standards in the areas of school health policies and systems, health and physical education, school physical activity programs, nutrition, tobacco prevention, and staff wellness. All Massachusetts public schools are eligible to apply. Award winners from 2011 are listed below; awards to winning schools will be given at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents/Massachusetts Association of School Committees in November 2011.
School Wellness Award winners for 2011 were:
| Gold Level: | Bridge Elementary School, Lexington
Foxborough Regional Charter School |
| Bronze Level: | Everett High School, Everett
Kennedy Elementary School, Brockton
North Intermediate School, Wilmington
West Intermediate School, Wilmington |
Some highlights of these schools' wellness initiatives can be found in the 2011 School Wellness Award Announcement
Newsletters:
The Coordinated School Health program publishes seasonal newsletters focusing on school health programs and highlighting success stories from Massachusetts' schools.
Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Newsletter, Spring 2011
Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Newsletter, Winter 2011
Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Newsletter, Fall 2010
Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Newsletter, Spring 2010
Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Newsletter, Winter 2010
Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Newsletter, Fall 2009
Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Newsletter, Spring 2009
Listserv:
CSH maintains a moderated listserv for distributing information on up-coming trainings and news related to school health concerns. To subscribe to the listserv, please contact Chiniqua Milligan, listserv manager.
Health Hints are short health-promotion messages aimed at students, school staff, or parents. These are available for use in newsletters or public service announcements.
Listserv:
Resources:
  Massachusetts Tobacco-Free School Policy Guide, 2011. This updated guide outlines the components of strong school tobacco prevention policies and lists resources for implementation.
Massachusetts Coordinated School Health Obesity Factsheet, Spring 2010
Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework, 1999 - The initial stages of revising this framework began during the 2010-2011 school year.
CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health
The CDC/DASH website contains links to several valuable tools for school health programs, including the Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT), the Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT), and the School Health Index (SHI).
CDC Guidance for Schools on the H1N1 Flu for the 2009-2010 School Year
Massachusetts Department of Public Health provides oversight of health services in schools. The MDPH School Health Unit is responsible for most school nursing services. They also provide professional development for school nurses and others through the School Health Institute, and have recently revised the comprehensive School Health Manual which provides guidance on aspects of coordinated school health.
Also based at MDPH, the School-Based Health Centers Program oversees health centers in or affiliated with Massachusetts schools.
Contacts:
Carol Goodenow
Director, Coordinated School Health, ESE
781-338-3603
To Be Determined
Physical Activity, Nutrition, Tobacco (PANT)/Health Education Coordinator, ESE
Laura York
Director, Coordinated School Health DPH
laura.york@state.ma.us
617-624-5537
last updated: August 15, 2011
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