Coordinated School Health FAQs

The concept of comprehensive school health was introduced in the late 1980s by Kolbe and Allensworth to promote the optimal physical, emotional, social, and educational development of students.¹ The concept expanded from a traditional three-component school health model (school health services, school health education, and school health environment) to eight components, which include

• Health education
• Physical education
• Health services
• Nutrition services
• Counseling, psychological, and social services
• Staff health promotion
• Family and community involvement
• Healthy environment

In 1995, an Institute of Medicine committee reviewed previous health models and definitions and suggested the term “coordinated school health program” to better describe the interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration required. In response to recommendations from a 2007 expert panel, CDC began using “coordinated school health” to better describe the systematic approach needed to coordinate the policies, practices, and components.

Several definitions are found in the literature or used by CDC, states, or local school districts to describe and promote CSH. There is no single best definition of CSH because programs must be tailored to meet each state’s, school’s, and community’s needs.

• CDC
  CSH is a systematic approach to improving the health and well-being of all students so they can fully participate and be successful in school. The process involves bringing together school administrators, teachers, other staff, students, families, and community members to assess health needs; set priorities; and plan, implement, and evaluate all health-related activities. CSH typically integrates health promotion efforts across eight interrelated components that already exist to some extent in most schools. These components include health education, physical education, health services, nutrition services, counseling, psychological and social services, healthy and safe school environments, staff wellness, and family and community involvement. (CDC. School Health Programs: Improving the Health of Our Nation’s Youth—At A Glance 2011, Atlanta: CDC; 2011.)
   
• Health is Academic: A Guide to Coordinated School Health Programs
  “A coordinated school health program (CSHP) is a planned, organized set of health-related programs, policies, and services coordinated at both the district and individual school levels to meet the health and safety needs of K-12 students.” (Marx E, Wooley SF, Northrop D, editors. Health Is Academic: A Guide to Coordinated School Health Programs. New York: Teachers College Press; 1998.)
   
• Institute of Medicine
  “A (comprehensive) school health program is an integrated set of planned, sequential, school-affiliated strategies, activities, and services designed to promote the optimal physical, emotional, social, and educational development of students. The program involves and is supportive of families and is determined by the local community based on community needs, resources, standards, and requirements. It is coordinated by a multidisciplinary team and accountable to the community for program quality and effectiveness.” (Institute of Medicine. Schools and Health: Our Nation’s Investment. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1997.)

Yes. Some states, such as Maine, and school districts have adopted models with more components, and other states, such as Wisconsin, have adopted models with fewer components.

CSH and student support services are closely related and have similar goals. Student support services, also known as student services or pupil services, include prevention, intervention, transition, and follow-up services for students and families, especially for students who are experiencing problems that create barriers to learning. CSH often includes the support services provided to students experiencing problems, but also comprises the health-related policies and practices necessary to meet the health and safety needs of all K–12 students.