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Wellness Committee Responsibilities

Shanetta Agnew and Ariel Rogers

Act 1220 & Coordinated School Health

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WSCC Model

Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model

Shanetta:

Health & Wellness in Arkansas is based on the national model The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child, or WSCC model, which is CDC’s framework for addressing health in schools. The WSCC model is student-centered and emphasizes the role of the community in supporting the school, the connections between health and academic achievement and the importance of evidence-based school policies and practices. The WSCC model has 10 components in the blue sections & Act 1220 supports the entire whole child model but the key focus is Health Education, Physical education & physical activity, Nutrition Environment & Services, and Physical Environment because the intent of the law is obesity prevention.

It meets the need of greater emphasis on both the psychosocial and physical environment as well as the increasing roles that community agencies and families play improving childhood health behaviors and development. The WSCC model also addresses the need to engage students as active participants in their learning and health.

Physical education and physical activity
Nutrition environment and services
Health education
Social and emotional school climate
Physical environment
Health services
Counseling, psychological and social services
Employee wellness
Community involvement
Family engagement

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Purpose of Health & Wellness in Schools

Improve the health & academic performance of students

Address nutrition and physical fitness

Create a safe and healthy school environment that supports learning

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Components of Act 1220

Regulate vending machines in schools

Publicize competitive food and beverage contracts

Created Child Health Advisory Committee (CHAC)

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Components Continued…

Students BMI

Wellness Committee

Nutrition & Physical Activity

Goal Setting

Community Health

Promotion/Nurse

Specialists

Shanetta:

1. Students BMI- Schools are required to report their students’ body mass index (BMI) percentile, These BMI screenings give us the data like what you saw on the previous slides, with the graphs and whatnot. The data that we receive from students BMI is used to assist us in receiving state and federal funding. grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10

2. The regional support from the Community Health Promotion Specialists / Community Health Nurse Specialists is very vital. They’re located at the educational co-ops throughout the state. Their job is to assist schools with everything health and wellness.

3. Complete the Health & Wellness goals annually-These goals should focus specifically on improving opportunities for physical activity and nutrition services during the school day for students, supporting quality physical education and nutrition education.

4. Require schools to assemble a Wellness Committee which should ensure state and federal mandates are followed.

<<Turn over to Ariel>>

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Wellness Committee�Responsibilities

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Wellness Committee Responsibilities

Annually report competitive food and beverage contracts

Menu reviews

Review wellness policy

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Wellness Committee Responsibilities�Cont.

Annual School Health Index assessment
Safe and Healthy Schools tab of AR APP
Ensure professional development includes nutrition and physical activity issues
Set 9 special event days

Annually assess schools using the School Health Index and compile results to be included in AR APP- due June 30..
Take your SHI scores and use those to set goals in your AR APP safe and healthy schools tab
Ensure that professional development for staff includes nutrition and physical activity issues to be included in the next year's schedule. (AR Code § 20-7-135, e1iii)

4. Selecting Special Event Days- any occasion such as field day, holiday, school recognition activity, end-of-school event, in-school fundraiser, etc. designated at the discretion of the school administration when students may enjoy food and/or beverages outside of the Arkansas Nutrition Standards and the USDA Smart Snacks requirements.

For up to nine (9) different events each school year, students may be provided any food and/or beverage items during the school day. *This would be a great social media post for campuses and districts to inform parents.*

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Who Must Be Involved?

School Board

School Administrator

Food Service Authority

Teachers

Teacher Organizations

Community members

Professional Groups

Parents

Students

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Additional Members

Family Engagement

Hospitals/Clinics

Business/Industry

Faith-based

Civic & Service Organizations

Higher Education

Social Service Agencies

Youth Groups

Comm. Health Nurse/Promotion Specialists

Out of School Time

Here is a list of additional members we recommend inviting to your wellness committee meeting:

Churches and civic organizations can help fill in the gaps of what’s really needed. If you regularly get volunteers, share joint use space (city or other organization like a church or neighborhood HOA/POA facility, Lyons club, etc,

CHNs (Community Health Nurse Specialist) and CHPS (Community Health Promotion Specialist)

Anyone or any business who regularly supports the school or district–think advertising in yearbooks and sporting areas. If their logo is on your baseball fence, sports/dance programs, or on scoreboards you should invite them to attend the wellness committee meetings. Medical clinics are also another missed opportunity some districts might look to invite to committee meetings.

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Keys to…

Consistent scheduled meetings
Publish agendas early
Input for agenda from committee members

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What are some strategies that worked for your wellness committee?

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How do you know it worked?

Arkansas Healthy Schools Success Story Worksheet

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AR APP- Safe and Healthy Schools

Due June 30, 2025

ADE DESE School Health

(501) 683-3600

ADH School Health

(501) 280-4889