The goal of the School Health NJ project is to improve the physical, mental, emotional, social health and well-being of students and school staff as well as the health and safety of the school environment.  There are many health risks facing teens so it is essential that they be given the support they need.

The School Health NJ project utilizes the framework of CDC's Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.  The WSCC model is the most effective approach for improving student health and academic performance.  It focuses attention on the students being healthy, safe, supported, engaged, challenged, emphasizes a school-wide approach, and acknowledges learning, health and the school as being a part and reflection of the local community.

The WSCC model organizes school health into ten components: Health education Physical education and physical activity Health services Nutrition environment and services Counseling, psychological and social services Physical environment Social and emotional school climate Employee wellness Family engagement Community Involvement Coordination of these health components ensures that school health resources are used efficiently, effectively, strategically and sustainably. Schools need some core capacities in order to accomplish the goal of improving health to enhance student learning.  These capacities include a(n):

• School health coordinator and a school health team comprised of school administration and staff, students, parents and community members.
• School health self-assessment using tools such as the CDC’s School Health Index (SHI) or ASCD’s School Health Improvement Tool.
• School health improvement plan based on the results of the assessment.
• Health-related goal and objective(s) included in the school district’s Improvement Plan.

The School Health NJ project uses a regional network with three grantee agencies, serving seven counties each.  Click on the images to visit their websites.

North	Central	South

These agencies fund schools to implement school health and wellness actions.  Additionally, our partner Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is a funded grantee offering the Parents as Champions (PAC) for Healthy Schools training.  This training empowers parents as agents of change in promoting healthier schools.  Interested schools and parents can find additional resources at CDC’s Parents for Healthy Schools site.

To share resources, communicate on school health activities around the State, and take advantage of our monthly mailing, please visit the SchoolHealthNJ website and sign up to become a member of our Educator Directory.

Only by working together can every young person, in every school, in every community… be healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.

According to research cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), significant health issues including hunger (lack of breakfast); chronic health conditions such as asthma, obesity, diabetes and depression; and, physical and emotional abuse negatively impact learning and leads to poor school performance.  In addition, risky health behaviors such as early sexual initiation, participating in violence including harassment, intimidation and bullying, and being physically inactive are consistently linked to lower grades and test scores.

More than 10% of NJ students are chronically absent (missing 18 days of class instruction during the school year).  When students miss school, they are not as likely to meet reading and math milesones which could impact graduating high school on time.  Asthma is a significant reason for chronic absenteeism.  The Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) is working to bring attention to this issue.