Overview
Since 1987, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) coordinated school health (CSH) approach has guided Connecticut schools in the development and implementation of health-promoting policies, processes, and practices. A coordinated approach is necessary because many health and social issues can interfere with a student’s ability to learn. Research has shown that student health and academic achievement are closely interrelated.
Since education, public health, and school health sectors often serve the same children in the same settings, it is important to use a unified and collaborative approach when developing, implementing, and evaluating school health policies, practices, and programs. To address the need for an enhanced collaborative approach, the CDC and ASCD expanded and merged the eight-component CSH model with the five tenets of the ASCD’s whole child approach to learning (healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged).
The expanded ten-component Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model provides the infrastructure schools can use to engage students, families, staff, and the community-at-large to improve the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of every child. When schools employ the WSCC model, there are greater opportunities to seamlessly support the whole child in reaching their full potential (Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child: A Collaborative approach to Learning and Health, ASCD, 2014).
Educational Safety Mental Health and Food Insecurity Resources for Families and Supports
Physically Active School Systems (PASS) New!
The CSDE invites superintendents to nominate their school districts for the Red Ribbon PASS Program Award that recognizes physical fitness as an essential element of school success. A physically active school system provides opportunities for all students to be physically active throughout the school day. All applications must be submitted via e-mail to the CSDE no later than October 15, 2019. Successful applicants will be notified on or before November 1, 2019.
Connecticut Guide for Educators
Addressing the Needs of the Whole Child: Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Physical Health, as well as Academic Achievement, in Connecticut's SRBI Process (CSDE Topical Brief 3, Scientific Research-Based Interventions, 2011)
Components of WSCC
- Health Education (CSDE)
- Nutrition Environment and Services (CSDE)
- Employee Wellness: Healthy School, Healthy Staff,Healthy Students: A Guide to Improving School Employee Wellness (National Association of Chronic Disease Directors)
- Social and Emotional School Climate (CDC)
- Physical Environment (DPH)
- Health Services (CSDE)
- Counseling, Psychological and Social Services
- Comprehensive School Guidance and Counseling (CSDE)
- School Psychology (CSDE)
- School Social Work (CSDE)
- Community Involvement
- Family Engagement
- Physical Education and Physical Activity (CSDE)