Department of Education
Kevin Huffman, Commissioner

Last Update: 10/10/2011

Student, Family and Community Partnerships

Definition Of A School Health Advisory Committee

“An advisory group composed primarily of school, health, and community representatives who act collectively to advise the school district on aspects of child health as defined by theCoordinatedSchoolHealth (CSH) model.” - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Functions of a SHAC

Annually review and approve the School Health Plan
Advise the school district of current initiatives and resources
Program planning
Parent and community involvement
Advocacy
Recruitment of community health resources
Input on fiscal planning
Evaluation, accountability, and quality control

Membership

Eight components of Coordinated School Health
- Health Education
- School Nutrition
- Physical Education
- School Health Services
- Guidance, Counseling and Social Service
- Healthy School Environment
- Staff Wellness
- Family and Community Involvement
Broad representation of school and community including business, medical professionals, civic leaders, policy and lawmakers, parents and students
Other criteria
- Professional abilities
- Interest in youth
- Awareness of community
- Willingness to devote time
- Representative of population
- Credibility of appointees

Critical Elements

For a successful School Health Advisory Committee, it is important that the school district and the local health department take an active role and that the School Superintendent and other key personnel support the idea.

Must have support of School Superintendent
Must have support of School Board
Must have support form the County Health Department
School Board needs to review and approve the vision, mission, and work plan of the Committee
A memorandum of agreement between the school district and the county health department is recommended

Building Support in the Community

Collaborative efforts among families, communities, and schools are the most effective means of impacting prevention and intervention activities.

Meet with key school personnel and community representatives
Identify existing school and community groups that currently are working to address health issues (do not reinvent the wheel)
Find a chair or co-chairs for the Committee

Collaboration with Existing Community/School Groups

You do not need to build a new advisory committee if one already exists. Check with the local school district and health department to identify other committees that look at health policy and practices and try to identify areas of collaboration. You may also develop a sub-group of one of these committees made up of people who are committed to child health and education issues.

Safe and Drug Free Schools Advisory Committee
School Wellness Committees
Juvenile Justice Task Force
Shared Services Council
Team Nutrition
Parent Teacher Associations
Healthy Start Coalitions
Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force
Community and Schools Councils

Community Sources Of Shac Members

Below are lists of possible sources for SHAC members in the eight component areas of CoordinatedSchool Health.

Core Members

Students; Parents; Teachers; Superintendents; School District Health Education Coordinators; School Nurse Coordinators and School Nurses; School Board Members; County Health Department (CHD) Representatives; District Physical Education Coordinators; School Guidance Counselors, Psychologists and Social Workers, School Food Service Managers, School Facilities Managers

ComprehensiveSchool Health Education:

CHD (County Health Department) Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Educators (CDHPE); District Health Curriculum Resource Teacher or Coordinator; Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator; School Resource Officer; Tobacco Educators; Representatives from local Health Associations such as American Heart, Lung, Cancer and Diabetes; Universities and Community Colleges; United Way; Community HIV Education Coalition; Community Emergency Management Services; Healthy Start Coalitions: Community Drug and Alcohol Coalition.

Physical Education:

Representatives from agencies such as Parks and Recreation Department; YMCA; Health Clubs; Boys and Girls Clubs; Sports Clubs; Gyms; Universities and Community Colleges; Professional Sports Associations; Professional Athletes; Fish and Wildlife Commission; DOT Safe Ways to Schools; Tennessee Safe Kids Coalition; Before and After-school Programs.

School Health Services:

School Nurses; Local Pediatricians; Family Practitioners and Advanced Registered Nurses (ARNP); Dentists and Dental Hygienists; Hospital Administrators; Community Health Center representatives; Optometrists; Audiologists; Chiropractors; Dieticians; Insurance Providers; Medical Societies and Professional Organizations Representing Health Specialties; Agencies such as Department of Children and Families (Medicaid), Childrens Special Services; TEACH, Tennessee CoverKids program.

School Nutrition Services:

Community and Health Department Dieticians, Women Infants and Children (WIC) Nutritionist; County Extension Agents; Representatives from: Universities and Community Colleges, and Professional Associations representing the Food and Beverage or Agriculture Industry; Local Agriculture Committees; Local Food and Beverage Vendors/Suppliers; Food Service Providers for District.

School Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services:

School Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services consist of activities that focus on cognitive, emotional, behavioral and social needs of individuals, groups, and families. School based counseling, psychological and social services are designed to prevent and address problems, facilitate positive learning and healthy behavior, and enhance healthy development.

Healthy School Environment:

A healthy school environment includes the physical, emotional, and social climate of the school that provides a safe physical plant, as well as a healthy and supportive environment that fosters learning.

School-Site Health Promotion for Staff:

Assessment, education, and fitness activities for school faculty and staff, designed to maintain and improve the health and well-being of school staff, who serve as role models for students.

Family and Community Involvement in Schools:

Effective family and community Involvement in Schools partnerships among schools, families, community groups, and individuals, designed to share and maximize resources and expertise in addressing the healthy development of children, youth, and their families.

Source: A Guide for Florida’s School Health Advisory Committees