For additional resources on these topics and others related to school health
education and services, visit the School Health Program website at
www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth
Postings and Notifications
2014 Awards for Excellence in Texas School Health
Applications Available: February 3rd – Deadline to apply: April 28, 2014
The AFE program awardsapproximately $13,500.00 in CASH prizes to schools or districts
that implement effective school health programs to improve the lifelong physical, mental and social well-being of students, staff and the greater school community.
Beginning this year, the timetable for availability of and deadline for applications have been adjusted to allow districts/schools the opportunity to win an award or grant in the same school year for which they applied.
Sponsored by the Texas Department of State Health Services and funded by the Texas Health Institute and the Texas Pediatric Society Foundation, thisinitiative, now in its 25th year,grants programs just getting started with seed money and recognizes andrewards existing, successful programs and those that have made improvements or expansions to programs awarded in the past. To learn more and to access an application and instructions, go to www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/awards.shtmor contact Ellen Smith at or
512/776-2140.
National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management – Deadline: February 3, 2014
This award is the Environmental Protection Agency’s highest recognition a program and its leaders can receive for delivering excellent environmental asthma management as part of comprehensive asthma care services. Applications are accepted in the following three categories: health plans, health care providers and communities in action. To learn more and register, go to http://www.asthmaawards.info/awards/about.
Nominations Open for World of Children Award – Deadline: April 1, 2014
Nominations are now being accepted for the World of Children Award—an award that provides support to individuals who are working to positively affect the lives of children and adolescents. World of Children will award three grants in 2014:
· Health Award, minimum $50,000 grant
· Humanitarian Award, minimum of $50,000 grant
· Youth Award, minimum of $25,000 grant
Go to the World of Children Award website at www.worldofchildren.org/nominate to learn more and submit nominations from the school-based health care field.
National Association of School Psychologists Youth Empowerment Mini-Grants - Ongoing
Youth Empowerment Mini-Grants of up to $500 are available to student groups or individuals who develop projects that assist their fellow students. These grants may be used for anti-bullying projects, appreciation for diversity projects, or any other program that focuses on student assistance. For more information, go to www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/grant-opps.aspx?utm_.
Conferences, Trainings and Professional Development
Employment for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities: The Role of the Job Coach and Strategies for Instruction Part 2 – February 18, 2014, 2:00-3:30PM CST
The University of Montana’s Rural Institute is hosting its second webinar on the role of job coaches for youth with intellectual disabilities. To register for the webinar, go to https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/336380558.
Get an “A” in Activity During Testing Time – February 20, 2014, 2:00PM CST
As students are preparing for academic testing, include movement as part of class time. Incorporating physical activity breaks into test time will enhance students’ test experience, keep everyone active, and reduce stress. Join the discussion to learn more about strategies to keep students learning and moving. Objectives of the discussion are to:
· Learn the importance and benefits of physical activity breaks duringacademictesting time
· Identify resources that are fun, quick and easy to use in the classroom.
To register, go to https://schools.healthiergeneration.org/resources__tools/training_opportunities/upcoming_events/.
The Secondary and Elementary Administrator’s (SEA) Summit – June 8-11, 2014
The SEA Conference will be held on South Padre Island, Texas. Find details at www.seasummit.pbworks.com.
Counseling and Mental Health Services:
Bringing New Prototypes into Practice: Dissemination, Implementation, and Facilitating Transformation
This report has three parts:
· Efforts to Improve Dissemination and Implementation of Good Practices – Highlights examples from clinical psychology, public health, and education and indicates a sampling of major organizations that intend to advance implementation research.
· Enhancing Basic Dissemination and Implementation Research – Outlines some basic matters that warrant greater attention by implementation researchers.
· Focusing on Facilitating Institutional Transformation: Our Center's Pursuit of New Directions for Student & Learning Supports – 1) Differentiates direct implementation from the process of facilitating implementation, and 2) Differentiates implementation of a specific practice or program from efforts to transform institutions such as schools.
Access the report at http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/implrep3.pdf.
Guide on Treating Teen Substance Abuse Now Available
A new online publication, “Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research Based Guide”, describes the treatment approaches. Highlights include:
· Thirteen principles to consider in treating adolescent substance use disorders
· Frequently asked questions about adolescent drug use
· Settings in which adolescent drug abuse treatment most often occurs
· Evidence-based approaches to treating adolescent substance use disorders
· The role of the family and medical professionals in identifying teen substance use and supporting treatment and recovery.
Download the guide at www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide.
Why Don't Schools Require Mental Health Screenings?
Nearly a decade ago, federal health officials recommended universal mental health screenings for students, but they still aren't required. With the increase in school violence, often attributed to mental health issues, why is this? An Associated Press review of policies across the nation showed no patterns--across states or school districts--for school mental health screenings. Many argue these types of screenings are desperately needed to prevent further violence, but many others say that these could do more harm than good--labeling students as mentally ill for life and requiring resources many schools cannot offer.Read the news story at http://www.toledoblade.com/Medical/2014/01/20/What-to-do-In-wake-of-violence-schools-struggle-over-how-to-treat-screen-students-for-mental-illness.html.
2014 National School Counseling Week – February 3-7, 2014
National School Counseling Week, "School Counseling: Building Magical Futures," will focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. Sponsored by Whole Child Partner American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the week highlights the impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. ASCA provides ideas about ways to celebrate on their website at http://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/about-asca-(1)/national-school-counseling-week.
How Mindfulness, Meditation Are Paying Off in the Classroom
Schools across the country are experimenting with the use of meditation to ease students' stress and anxiety and promote wellness, suggests former teacher and mindfulness enthusiast Amanda Machado. In this commentary, she shares responses from several students who said that while the poses were initially unfamiliar and embarrassing, the students ultimately benefited from taking care of themselves and managing stress. Read the story at http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/01/should-schools-teach-kids-to-meditate/283229/.
Health Services:
Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injuries More Likely To Die Young
People who suffer traumatic brain injuries face an elevated risk of death from suicide or accidents for years to come, according to a new study based on four decades of data on hundreds of thousands of patients in Sweden.
Those who survived the immediate aftermath of moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries were three times more likely than people without such injuries to die prematurely, defined by the researchers as before age 56. Read the news story at http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-tbi-traumatic-brain-injury-death-risk-20140115,0,1348160.story#axzz2qZHA6WM1.
Promoting Oral Health in Schools: A Resource Guide (2nd Edition)
The “Promoting Oral Health in Schools” resource guide is designed to help people working in school settings prevent disease and promote oral health among children and adolescents. The guide is divided into sections which include peer-reviewed journal articles, tip sheets, resource guides, and coloring books. To download the guide, go to http://ask.hrsa.gov/detail_materials.cfm?ProdID=5278.
February is National Children's Dental Health Month
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM) to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. NCDHM messages and materials have reached millions of people in communities across the country. The ADA has free online resources that can help teachers, parents and members of a dental team with oral health presentations, ideas for the classroom and coloring and activity sheets that can be used as handouts. Access the resources at http://www.ada.org/5578.aspx#resources.
Study: 20 Young People a Day Hospitalized for Gun Injuries
Almost one child or teen an hour is injured by a firearm seriously enough to require hospitalization, a new analysis finds. Six percent of the 7,391 hospitalizations analyzed in 2009 resulted in a death, says the study in February'sPediatrics, released Monday. The damage caused by gun-related injuries rarely gets the same attention as fatalities; however, despite declining rates over the past decade, firearm injuries remain the second leading cause of death, behind motor vehicle crashes, for teens ages 15 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read the news article at http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/27/guns-children-hospitalizations/4796999/.
Physical Education and Activity:
Study Says School Health Programs Have Positive Results for Physical Activity
In a recent study, researchers found students who attended schools with a full-time health facilitator and regular fitness activities showed increased activity levels during and after school. Using pedometers to measure the students' progress overtime, the researchers collected data from 200 elementary students at 10 different Canadian schools. The findings show "... that if you deliver a school program well, kids not only will be active more during the school hours when they are in the hands of the teachers but they're also being trained and understand that it's important to be physically active at other times," says Paul J. Veugelers, who worked on the study at the University of Alberta's School of Public Health. Read the news story at http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/15/school-health-programs-improve-physical-fitness-levels/.
Healthy and Safe School Environment:
Children Become Less Active When Bullied, Research Shows
Surveys from 108 Midwest children ages 9 to 12 showed that those who were bullied or teased during physical activity became less active, even one year later, according to a study in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology. Researcher Chad Jensen said early experiences can influence a child's exercise habits into adulthood, and he urged educators and adults to intervene if children are being bullied during physical activity. Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865594765/When-bullies-strike-in-PE-kids-avoid-physical-activities-BYU-led-study-says.html.
Wisconsin District's Empathy Project Teaches Students How To Show They Care
The “I Know How You Feel” program was developed through a partnership between the school district, the nonprofit Smart Relationships group and Green Bay advertising agency Arketype Inc. Susan Dutton, executive director of Smart Relationships, said teaching students empathy now will help them develop better relationships as they grow. Read more at http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20140123/GPG0101/301230428/Students-learn-care-each-other-Empathy-Project?nclick_check=1.
CDC Releases Bullying Surveillance Among Youths: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements, Version 1.0
Bullying is one type of violence that threatens a youth’s well-being in schools and neighborhoods. The impacts of bullying are felt by individuals, families, schools, and society, and may result in a youth feeling powerless, intimidated, and humiliated. In an attempt to improve the consistency and comparability of data on bullying, the CDC, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and with input from researchers and practitioners, developed a uniform definition of bullying. The document also includes useful information to collect in order to describe and understand the bullying problem. Download it at www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/bullying-definitions-final-a.pdf.
Wisconsin Middle-Schoolers Leave Positive Notes on Classmates' Lockers
Students at D.C. Everest Middle School in Weston, Wisconsin are working to improve school culture by placing positive notes on lockers. The notes, which contained messages such as "Just be you" and "You look great" were found by students returning for the new semester. "I think it's really important for these kids to know that you're not just in school. You're part of a community, and it's kind of a family," teacher Dallas Rennie said. Read the story at http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20140129/WDH01/301290312/Happy-notes-help-Everest-middle-schoolers-start-semester-positive-note?nclick_check=1.
Stopping Bad Behavior, Online
A new report from Education Development Center (EDC) shows that reducing cyberbullying will take a concerted and coordinated effort, and that teens, parents, schools, and social networking sites all have important roles to play in helping young people become better digital citizens. “There’s simply not a way for parents to constantly monitor every image or message that is posted. They need to focus on broader strategies for keeping kids safe by teaching them to act responsibly and appropriately online;” says EDC’s Shari Kessel Schneider, the lead author of the report“Social Media and Cyberbullying”. Read the article at http://www.edc.org/newsroom/articles/stopping_bad_behavior_online. Read the report at http://www.social-media-and-cyberbullying-implementation-school-based-prevention-efforts-and-implications.
Parent and Community Involvement:
Caring Adults Needed for Child Wellbeing
Having an adult mentor outside of the home can promote positive well-being for children and even make them more likely to talk with their parents about things that matter to them. This Child Trends Research Brief uses data from the National Survey of Children's Health to examine the prevalence of these relationships in the United States and the association between having a caring adult and the indicators of positive well-being. Parents reported that, overall, close to 9 in 10 U.S. children and adolescents, ages 6 through 17, have a mentor-like adult. Read the brief at http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013-54CaringAdults.pdf.
Comprehensive Policies, Reports, Research and Resources
Texas is Now Ranked #5 in Birth Rates to Teenagers
Texas is now ranked 5th in birth rates to teenagers, behind New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Arkansas. With the release of the final 2012 birth data, theNational Center for Health Statisticsreportshistoric low teen birth rates in the U.S. and a decline of 6 percent from 2011 to 2012. According to the report, Texas saw a decrease in birth rates for teenagers from 46.9 per thousand in 2011 to 44.4 per thousand in 2012. Nationwide the birth rate for teenagers aged 15-19 declined in all racial and ethnic groups as well as in 29 states and Washington D.C. The dramatic decline in teen birth rates reflects reduced teen pregnancy rates, not increased abortions. Clearly, teenagers are making healthier and more careful choices. Read the report at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr62/nvsr62_09.pdf?utm_source=Texas+is+Now+Ranked+%235&utm_campaign=HFA+Newsletters&utm_medium=email.
Quote to Note:
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
C.S. Lewis, Irish writer and theologian
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