Strategies: School Health Services

Integrating School Health Services Across the WSCC Framework

School health services staff can help students stay at school, safe and ready to learn. Here are some evidence-based strategies and promising practices for using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework across the school setting to promote health services and active, healthy lifestyles for students with chronic health conditions.

Health Services

• Deliver clinical services to students with acute and chronic health conditions.
• Educate students and their caregivers about chronic conditions and coordinate care with external health care providers.
• Train appropriate school staff on how to provide resources that support students with chronic health conditions.

Nutrition Environment and Services

• Provide options for children with special dietary needs, per federal regulations.
• Help manage the nutritional needs of students with chronic health conditions, including food allergies and diabetes.
• Refer students to community-based health care providers and healthy eating services.

Physical Education and Physical Activity

• Encourage all students to participate in physical activity, regardless of ability, unless health conditions prevent it.
• Ensure access to free drinking water in the gym and other physical activity areas.

Health Education

• Make sure that students get a comprehensive health education that includes information on common chronic health conditions.
• Use CDC's Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool to help improve the delivery of health education.

Community Involvement

• Involve local hospitals, health care plans, health departments, school-based and community health centers, and other health organizations in school health initiatives.
• Connect with out-of-school programs about access to health services and students with chronic health conditions.

Family Engagement

• Give parents opportunities to learn about chronic health conditions and school health services.
• Encourage families to participate in school-based programs and activities that promote healthy behaviors.

Employee Wellness

• Create a healthy work environment for staff.
• Encourage school staff to model healthy behaviors.

Physical Environment

• Provide a safe physical environment, both outside and inside school buildings, by ensuring proper cleaning, maintenance, and ventilation and limiting exposure to chemicals and pollutants.

Social and Emotional Climate

• Promote a positive school climate where respect is encouraged and students can seek help from trusted adults.

Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services

• Identify, track, and provide direct care to students with emotional, behavioral, mental health, or social needs.
• Help students with chronic health conditions during transitions, such as changes in schools or family structure.
• Provide or refer students and families to school- and community-based counseling services.