The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved funding for the third year of the West Virginia Healthy Schools in Action initiative, supporting efforts to create healthier learning environments across the state.
“This continued CDC funding allows us to expand Healthy Schools in Action statewide and build on the success in Mercer County to help schools turn wellness policies into everyday practices that improve the health of students and staff across West Virginia,” said Eloise Elliott, director of the Center for ActiveWV.
Launched with Mercer County Schools as the founding district, WVHSIA helps schools use the CDC’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model to strengthen student and staff well-being. The success in Mercer County over the past two years has sparked interest statewide, with the state’s largest district, Kanawha County, joining the initiative that will bring a powerful voice and broad reach to the WVHSIA network.
With Year 3 funding in place, WVHSIA is expanding statewide. Schools can now participate by forming wellness teams, completing a virtual learning module, conducting the School Health Index, and developing a School Health Action Plan. New this year, participating schools will also have access to mini-grants to help implement their wellness goals. Participating schools receive ongoing support from the Center for ActiveWV and recognition through banners and statewide visibility.
The initiative is supported by the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health through a cooperative agreement with the WVU Center for ActiveWV.
Learn more about this opportunity by visiting the “Becoming a WVHSIA” webpage.