CDC’s School Health Index: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide

CDC’s School Health Index: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide

School Health Index

What is the Purpose of the SHI? Enables schools to identify strengths and weaknesses of health promotion policies and programs. Enables schools to develop an action plan for improving student health. Engages teachers, parents, students, and the community in promoting health-enhancing behaviors and better health.

CDC Guidelines and Strategies for School Health Programs

Coordinated School Health (CSH) Health Education Physical Education Family/Community Involvement Health Services Health Promotion for Staff Healthy School Environment Counseling, Psychological, & Social Services Nutrition Services

Health Topics in the SHI (2014 edition) Physical activity Nutrition Tobacco-use prevention Safety (unintentional injury and violence prevention) Asthma Sexual health

Uses of the SHI Used in at least 46 U.S. states Adapted for use in Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia 300 schools in Missouri 200-250 schools in Georgia 109 schools in Kansas All metro Nashville schools 93 schools in Austin; more than half of middle schools in Houston One of CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health’s most popular publications

Making a Difference As a result of implementing the SHI, schools have Created a school health team. Moved healthier options to the front of the lunch line. Increased time for physical education. Started student and staff walking clubs. Added healthy choices to vending machines. Offered access to the gym outside of school hours. Provided parent education through newsletters and healthy activity nights. Replaced fried foods with baked items. Provided conflict resolution training to staff. Offered health screenings for staff.

Clarifying Points Low scores on the SHI do NOT indicate “low-performing” schools. Many actions will NOT require new resources or responsibilities. For actions requiring new resources, results can help – Provide information to stimulate school board or community support. – Establish data and justification for funding requests.

What SHI Is and What SHI Is NOT Self-assessment and planning tool Research or evaluation tool Educational and community-organizing process Tool to audit or punish school staff

What SHI Is and What SHI Is NOT Identifies low-cost or no-cost changes Requires expensive changes Focused, reasonable, and user-friendly experience Long, bureaucratic, and painful process

Time Commitment The SHI can be completed in as little as 6 hours: – Modules 1-4: 1 hour each – Modules 5-8: 30 minutes each A small investment of time can pay big dividends in improving students’ well-being, readiness to learn, and prospects for a healthy life.

SHI Format Completed by school health teams Two separate versions: – Elementary School – Middle School/High School Self-Assessment: 8 modules corresponding to Coordinated School Health Planning: Planning for Improvement section

Modules CSH Components 1. School Health and Safety Policies and 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Environment Health Education Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs Nutrition Services School Health Services School Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services Health Promotion for Staff Family and Community Involvement

Question Coding CC cross-cutting PA physical activity N nutrition T tobacco-use prevention S safety (unintentional injury and violence prevention) A asthma SH sexual health

Implementing the SHI 1. 2. 3. 4. Assemble SHI team Conduct SHI introduction meeting Complete self-assessment modules Conduct SHI planning meeting

Implementing the SHI 1. 2. 3. 4. Assemble SHI team Conduct SHI introduction meeting Complete self-assessment modules Conduct SHI planning meeting

Possible Team Members Principal or assistant principal Physical education teacher School nutrition services manager Health education teacher Classroom teacher School nurse School counselor School psychologist or social worker Janitor or custodian Parents Students Community-based health care and social services providers Community health organization representative (e.g., ACS) Local health department staff member Cooperative extension service representative

Implementing the SHI 1. 2. 3. 4. Assemble SHI team Conduct SHI introduction meeting Complete self-assessment modules Conduct SHI planning meeting

Introduction Meeting Explain the SHI Assign modules to groups Identify module coordinators

Implementing the SHI 1. 2. 3. 4. Assemble SHI team Conduct SHI introduction meeting Complete self-assessment modules Conduct SHI planning meeting

Module 1: School Health and Safety Policies and Environment (sample topics) Representative school health committee or team Positive school climate Prohibit using physical activity as punishment Adequate physical activity facilities Prohibit sugar sweetened beverages Access to free drinking water Enforce tobacco-use policies Maintain safe physical environment Implement indoor air quality practices Confidentiality of HIV status

Question CC.1 Representative school health committee or team Does your school have a representative committee or team that meets at least four times a year and oversees school health and safety policies and programs?

Question CC.1 Representative means that it includes school administrators, health education teachers, physical education teachers, mental health or social services staff members, nutrition services staff members, health services staff members, maintenance and transportation staff members, students, parents, community members, local health departments or organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, and local government representatives.

Question CC.1 3 Yes. 2 There is a committee or team that does this, but it could be more representative. 1 There is a committee or team, but it is not representative, or it meets less often than four times a year. 0 No.

Completed Module Scorecard

Module Planning Questions 1 & 2 Planning Question 1: Look back at the scores you assigned to each question. According to these scores, what are the strengths and weaknesses of your school’s policies and environment related to health and safety? Planning Question 2: For each of the weaknesses identified above, list several recommended actions to improve the school’s scores (e.g., create and maintain a school health committee).

Completed Planning Questions 1 & 2

Module Planning Question 3 Planning Question 3: List each of the proposed actions identified in Planning Question 2 in the table. Use the scales to rank each action on the five dimensions below. Add the points for each action to get the total points. – – – – – Importance Cost Time Commitment Feasibility

Completed Planning Question 3

Keep in Mind Answer questions as accurately as possible. This is a self-help tool, not an instrument for punishing staff. There is no passing grade. This is designed to help you understand your school, not to compare your school with other schools. You should EXPECT to get at least some low scores. Low scores can help you build awareness of areas needing improvement.

Implementing the SHI 1. 2. 3. 4. Assemble SHI team Conduct SHI introduction meeting Complete self-assessment modules Conduct SHI planning meeting

Completed Overall Scorecard

Action Plan Module groups present two or three actions SHI team selects manageable number of actions Team mixes both short- and long-term actions Team completes action plan (action, steps to completion, person responsible, timeline)

Completed Action Plan

Keep in Mind Some actions will involve simply making better use of existing resources. Other actions may require additional resources. Keep the team together to monitor progress.

Resources www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/publications

What are the keys to success? School health champion (strong leadership) Administrative buy-in Team representation, cohesion, and commitment Clear, organized, and well-facilitated process (many schools are using outside facilitators) Starting with small, achievable goals Highlighting and build on successes

SHI Online

How can I access the SHI? Complete the SHI interactively on the Web http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/shi/ Download or print from Web site

CDC’s School Health Index: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide