The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), School Health Services (SHS) will utilize the CDC-RFA-DP-23-0002 cooperative agreement to nutrition, physical activity, and chronic conditions in schools. - Project Abstract Summary The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), School Health Services office (SHS) will utilize the CDC-RFA-DP-23-0002 grant funds improve student health and academic achievement through nutrition, physical activity and the management of chronic health conditions in schools. The ADE will facilitate, improve and expand the level and quality of the school-based health services all students within the school setting. The project will expand upon and enhance the multidisciplinary approach of Statewide School Health Coalition (SSHC) and local school health councils. This project will allow the ADE to develop and refine the systematic process for implementing strategies and activities which promote healthy behaviors among student and staff using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model (WSCC Model); increase the effectiveness of chronic disease management education and services; and ensure resources and technical assistance are available to school personnel. The ADE will facilitate the Statewide School Health Coalition (SSHC) to increase awareness of the state’s childhood obesity epidemic, chronic health conditions, and other health disparities which exist among public school children such as mental health issues, oral health, social-emotional learning barriers, and substance abuse including tobacco and nicotine products. Provide guidance for the implementation of the school-based health program. The coalition will be consulted to provide expertise, leverage resources, and to provide professional development and technical assistant to school personnel in order to reach the highest potential for school-based health strategies within the school setting. The ADE will prioritize a focused support for one LEA school health council to increase the capacity, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness to assist district decision-makers of appropriate policies and services in support of the local school improvement planning process to ensure a comprehensive student focused learning system to meet the needs of the WSCC model.
