Preventative Services
Coordinated School Health
Good health and learning go hand in hand. The Health Department works with Northern Kentucky school leaders, offering technical assistance to make schools more conducive to health through policy, systems, and environmental changes. The program uses the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model, expanded from the coordinated school health approach. This child-centered model focuses on the school and community to address children’s health in schools. Some examples of collaboration in the area of school health include:
School Wellness Policies
School wellness policies
Schools should bring together a variety of stakeholders, including staff, parents, school board members, and administrators in developing wellness policies, which address the following components:
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Tobacco-free environments
- Mental health
- Unintentional injury/violence prevention
- Other school-based activities
Resources for wellness policy development
WellSAT is an online tool created for schools and districts to assess the quality of their wellness policies, and offers personalized guidance and resources for making improvements based on assessment results.
School Health Index: Self-Assessment and Planning Guide is a tool that schools can use to identify their existing strengths and weaknesses, develop an action plan from improving health, and engage teachers, parents, students and the community in promoting health-enhancing behaviors and better health.
Health Department staff are available to assist schools with use of the WellSAT and/or School Health Index. Email nkywebmaster@nkyhealth.org.
School Funding Opportunities
REACH School Health Incentive Funds Project
Through the REACH School Health Incentive Funds project, schools work with the Health Department to create healthier environments with a focus on policy and environmental changes over a two-year period.
- Application deadline for the REACH project has passed, and we are no longer accepting applications.
Northern Kentucky’s work in this area has been featured in the following national publications:
- The Community Guide
- Local Health Department and School Partnerships: Working Together to Build Healthier Schools from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
Funding opportunities
The following organization provides funding opportunities for school health:
School Resources
School Resources
- Kentucky Department of Education’s Coordinated School Health resources
- Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities School Suicide Prevention Training Toolkit
- Kentucky Department of Education Trauma-Informed Discipline Response and Behavior System Guide and Resource
- Kentucky Department of Education Understanding Trauma and Traumatic Stress
- CDC Action Guide for Schools
Mental Health Modules for Staff
Healthy Challenge
Healthy Challenge 2024
About the challenge
Produce Man’s Healthy Challenge is a school-wide campaign appropriate for elementary schools (Pre-K through 8th grade students) and includes school staff as well.
During the week-long challenge, students and staff use a tracking chart to reach a goal of eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables plus getting in 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Winning students, staff and classes at each participating school win prizes and compete for grand prize funding awarded to schools.
Approximately 30 public and private schools throughout Northern Kentucky participate annually.
National Nutrition Month
Produce Man’s Healthy Challenge is held in observance of National Nutrition Month and Every Kid Healthy Week .
More information
For more information, please contact Monica Smith monica.smith@nkyhealth.org or 859-363-2114.
Eat Healthy NKY / Farm to School
Eat Healthy NKY
The Eat Healthy NKY Collaborative works to provide access to local and nutritious foods to all in Northern Kentucky. Partners include school personnel, farmers, parents, community members, etc.
For additional information, contact nkywebmaster@nkyhealth.org.
Farm to School
Vaccine Champion Contest
Vaccine Champion Contest 2024
About the Contest
Each year, the Commonwealth of Kentucky challenges schools around the state to create posters, brochures, or videos that illustrate the importance of childhood vaccines. One elementary school, middle school, and high school are awarded $500 if they are named the Vaccine Champion.
- Submission Deadline: February 23, 2024
- Regional winners are chosen in each category by: March 5, 2024
- One overall state winner are chosen in each category by: March 12, 2024
- Regional and state winners are announced at the KHSAA Boy’s Sweet 16 Basketball Tournament
- State Winners receive $500 (Sponsored by KAHP)
Contest Rules
Elementary School
Kindergarten – 5th grade
Poster Presentation
- Describes the importance of childhood vaccines
- Why should you receive your routine vaccines?
- Where can you get vaccinations in your community?
- Poster should contain words as well as colorful pictures to promote the message
- Write your name, age, county of residence, and a valid phone number on the back of the poster
- A Media Consent Form is required for all entries
- Available online vaccine resources
.
Middle School
6th grade – 8th grade
Brochure Presentation
- Describes the importance of childhood vaccines
- Depicts positive outcome associated with receiving a vaccine
- Where can you get vaccinations in your community?
- Poster should contain words as well as colorful pictures to promote the message
- Provides information on where to get vaccinations in the community
- Brochure should contain words as well as colorful pictures to promote the message
- Write your name, age, county of residence, and a valid phone number on the back of the brochure
- A Media Consent Form is required for all entries
- Available online vaccine resources
.
High School
9th grade – 12th grade
Video Presentation
- (30 seconds maximum formatted for YouTube)
- Short video should promote a powerful message on the importance of receiving childhood vaccinations
- Depicts positive outcome associated with receiving vaccines
- Such as protection of self, family, friends, and teachers from diseases such as measles and polio and/or other childhood disease
- Lists community locations where vaccinations can be obtained
- Video must be posted to YouTube on the student’s personal account
- Resource to help create video: www.youtube.com/t/creators_corner
- A Media Consent Form is required for all entries
- Available online vaccine resources
More information
For more information on how to submit your poster, brochure or YouTube video Entries, contact your local Health Department.