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Funded through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. In this grant we work with selected schools in each of our four counties. We meet with school principals and form a school wellness team comprised of Principal, PE teachers, nurses, counselors, teachers, parents, food service staff and any other potential people who are interested in improving school wellness.

Once the teams are formed we work on completing the School Health Index. The SHI was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and addresses 8 modules in the school environment (See below). After completing score cards for all 8 modules, the school wellness team is able to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the school environment and develop an action plan that improves upon those weaknesses.

School Health Index

What is the School Health Index?

The School Health Index (SHI) is a self-assessment and planning guide developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that enables schools to:

  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of their school health promotion policies and programs.
  • Develop an action plan for improving student health.
  • Involve teachers, parents, students, and the community in improving school policies, programs, and services.

Why Use the School Health Index?
Promoting healthy and safe behaviors among students is an important part of the fundamental mission of schools, which is to provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults. Improving student health and safety can:

  • increase students' capacity to learn,
  • reduce absenteeism, and
  • improve physical fitness and mental alertness.
The items in the SHI are based on CDC's research-based guidelines for school health programs, which identify the policies and practices most likely to be effective in improving youth health risk behaviors. The SHI is structured around CDC's eight component model of a coordinated school health program (CSHP). This model highlights the importance of involving all eight components, which can have a powerful impact on student health behaviors. The eight modules in the SHI correspond to the eight components of a coordinated school health program.

The eight modules are:

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

Why should school promote health and safety?
  • Our society values good health and safety.
  • Good health, safety, and management are necessary for effective learning.
  • Healthy and safe students become healthy, productive citizens.
  • Disease and injury prevention are more cost-effective than treatment.
  • The school system is the one place where most of our nation's youth can be reached.

Health Topics Addressed in SHI
  • Physical education and physical activity
  • Healthy eating
  • Tobacco use prevention
  • Unintentional injuries and violence prevention (safety)
  • Asthma