School Wellness Policy Program

TITLE:

The CCBH / CFHS Wellness Policy Program

Technical Assistance for School Districts for the Wellness Policy Mandate

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:   The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH)/ Child & Family Health Services (CFHS) Wellness Policy program was developed in response to U.S Congressional legislation amending the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265). This law requires all educational agencies participating in USDA School Meal Programs to establish a wellness policy by the first day of school, beginning after June 30, 2006. The Wellness Policy program aims to provide technical assistance to school districts for the development and implementation of quality wellness policies. The CCBH/ CFHS Wellness Policy program has become a successful project under the Child and Family Health Services grant program.  

Major factors contributing to obesity in children and adolescents, both nationally and locally, are poor diet and level of physical activity. Many studies show a direct link between nutrition, physical activity, and academic success making schools a key setting to help address this national health challenge. While school meals must meet federal nutrition standards, competitive foods in schools are not required to meet any such standards. At the same time, schools do not provide adequate co-curricular physical activity including fully inclusive intramural programs and physical activity clubs. With school wellness policies, a healthy school environment can be achieved by shaping dietary behavior and patterns, encouraging physical activity and forming positive life- long habits.  

OBJECTIVE:   The purpose of the CCBH / CFHS Wellness Policy program is to provide technical assistance to school districts within Cuyahoga County in establishing and maintaining wellness policies as mandated by Section 204 of Public Law 108 – 265. Assistance is focused on nutrition education, physical activity and other school based activities to promote student wellness. Additional assistance was provided to participating schools in the form of resources, publications, and incentives to begin building a comprehensive nutrition & physical activity program.  

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:  American Cancer Society, America Diabetes Association, Zone 3 Ohio Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK), Children’s Hunger Alliance, Ohio Department of Health - Healthy Ohioans and School Districts across Cuyahoga County.  

CONTACT INFORMATION:   Please call for more information: