At the national level, the Division of Adolescent and School Health at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion champions the following health promotion strategies for school-age children:

• Employ models where health activities, messages and services are coordinated among eight school components: comprehensive health education, physical education, health services, nutrition services, health promotion for staff, counseling and psychological services, healthy school environment and parent/community involvement.
• Institute a planned, and sequential program of health instruction for students in grades K through 12. Parents, health professionals and other concerned community members are involved in the design of the program. The curriculum, delivered by trained teachers, addresses a range of categorical health problems at developmentally appropriate ages. School programs include activities that help young people develop the skills they need to avoid behavior that places their health at risk.

More than 90 percent of Colorado school districts participate in the School Health Services Program, which began in 1997 (also known as the School Medicaid Reimbursement Program). Any public school district or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) can participate, once they have conducted a health needs assessment; sought and received community input; submitted and received approval for a Local Services Plan from the Colorado departments of Education and Health Care Policy and Financing; and received a contract to claim funds. School districts may receive the federal government's match (50 percent) of the cost to the district of health services provided to Medicaid-enrolled children. The state passes the funds to the contracting school district, which then can use the funds for new or expanded health services for any student or group of students.

Background Documents

• Students with Chronic Illnesses: Guidance for Families, Schools and Students - National Institute of Health
• The Center for Health and Healthcare in Schools

Evidence-Based Programs

• TeleKidcare - University of Kansas Medical Center 

Related Colorado Programs

• School Nursing Services

Related Topics

• School-Based Health Services