The Healthy Schools Washington (HSW) Program is founded on the ten components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model (also referred to as the WSCC model or Whole Child model) and focuses on improving the health of students and staff by providing program coordination and resources to schools. Districts play a critical role in promoting the health of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy and active behaviors.

The purpose of the HSW program is to improve student health and academic achievement through nutrition, physical activity and the management of chronic conditions in schools.

Background

The Healthy Schools Washington is a partnership between the Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to ensure healthy schools and healthy, successful students by coordinating effective policies and programs, and encouraging school, community and family involvement through shared information and communication.

Washington receives funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cooperative agreement. This agreement, "Improving Student Health and Academic Achievement through Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Management of Chronic Conditions in Schools" Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (CDC RFA-DP18-1801), covers a five year period to address statewide implementation to: (1) prevent obesity and reduce the risk of children and adolescents developing chronic disease in adulthood, and (2) manage chronic health conditions prevalent in student populations including poor health, asthma, food allergies, seizure disorders, diabetes and other disease, disabilities or conditions.

This funding allows us to strengthen implementation of existing policies and increase access to physical education, physical activity, healthy nutrition environments, and management of chronic health conditions; specifically to ensure that students at disproportionate risk of health and educational disparities have access to quality physical education, health education, nutrition, and reduce the risk of developing chronic disease in adulthood.

The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model promotes the health and well-being of students, staff, classrooms and schools by developing an environment that is most conducive to effective teaching and learning. The model calls for a collaborative approach to learning and health, across the community, across the school and across sectors to meet the needs and reach the potential of each child.

Ten components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model

1. Health Education
2. Health Services
3. Nutrition Environment & Services
4. Physical Education & Physical Activity
5. Social & Emotional Environment
6. Physical Environment
7. Employee Wellness
8. Family Engagement
9. Community Involvement
10. Counseling, Psychological and Social Services

For additional resources and information, please access CDC's Healthy Schools Website.