• CDC Division of HIV/ AIDS Prevention

• Indiana Prevention Resource Center
• Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
• U.S. Department of Education - Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program

• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive (SAMHDA)

• President's Challenge

• American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
• American Association for Health Education
• American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation
• American Cancer Society
• American College of Sports Medicine
• American School Health Association
• American Heart Association
• National Association for Girls and Women in Sport
• National Association for Sport and Physical Education
• National Institute of Health
• National Recreation & Parks Association
• U.S. Dept. of Education

• National PTA

• Adapted Physical Education National Standards
• Division of Adolescent & School Health - Healthy Youth Funding Database
• Healthy People 2010
• Society for Public Health Education

Healthy Schools Program Works to Bring Wellness Policies to the Classroom

Chiefline: November 8, 2006
From the e-mail newsletter of the Council of Chief State School Officers

This year, the vast majority of school districts enacted wellness policies to provide healthier school environments that promote healthy eating and physical activity. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program can support the implementation of these wellness policies by helping schools to implement systemic and sustainable solutions. One way the alliance has helped to support healthier school environments has been by brokering two landmark agreements with beverage and snack food companies to stop the sale of high calorie beverages and snacks in schools. These voluntary guidelines are also part of the Healthy Schools Program, giving schools the tools to help students reduce the calories they consume.

To enhance the health of their school environments, schools can access the alliance’s Healthy Schools Builder to help them identify what aspects of a healthier school environment they already have in place and where there is room for improvement. Additionally, schools can e-mail Schools@HealthierGeneration.org or call 1-888-KID-HLTH with additional questions or requests. The alliance also offers all schools the opportunity to be nationally recognized for their overall healthy school environments through improved nutrition in foods sold; increase in physical education and activity before, during, and after the school day; nutrition education; and staff wellness programs. Any school in the United States can apply for recognition online.

Formed in May 2005, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation—a joint initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association—is working to eliminate childhood obesity and inspire young people in the United States to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The alliance’s overarching goal is to stop the increase in childhood obesity in the United States by 2010 and reduce its prevalence by 2015.

Please contact Council Quarterly editors at communications@ccsso.org with questions or comments.