So, I’ve been fortunate enough to have been a part of the
school health ‘glory days’ at the Oregon Department of Education (DOE) when we
were funded for Coordinated School Health, HIV Prevention and Asthma Friendly
Schools. And, sadly, I was part of the destruction of it by leadership, one key
sabotager who has since been ‘let go’. I am grateful for the Oregon Health
Authority, our Department of Public Health, Adolescent Health Department that
actually has sustained our School Health Coordinator. Isabelle has done a
fantastic job as a school health advocate in our public health division when
our DOE didn’t step up. Two key people at the DOE who have sustained support and encouraged on-going partnerships are
Brad (retired, but formerly the HIV Coordinator) and Joyce (School Nutrition
Director). Now, with new leadership at the Oregon DOE, there seems to be a bit
more momentum these days (YAH!). And, the Healthy Kids Learn Better Coalition,
consisting of over 35 non-profit organizations that meets monthly and continues
to advocate for school health has done an incredibly job even with the lack of
support by DOE. I challenge Oregon DOE to do more linking health and academics… and I know they are working on it.
Today, I was invited by the KY DOE to attend their quarterly
Kentucky State Board Health Committee meeting since I’m in town. I was envious
of the Coordinated School Health Team’s access to Board of Education members. I
remember the days when NASBE supported our work through training events helping
us initially work with our Oregon State Board of Education. For years, we met monthly
with two board members to discuss school health efforts and opportunities.
Then, we were re-organized into another office with leadership who didn’t want
us having direct access to the State Board of Education. So, the meetings
ended.
What a breathe of fresh air to be in a meeting today with
such key people… DOE’s Policy Advisor, Deputy Commissioner of Clinical Affairs
from Department of Public Health (DPH) as well as nutrition services within
DOE, a local middle school principal, Foundation for a Healthy KY and KY Youth
Advocates. And of course, the
Coordinated School Health Team from DOE and DPH. Today’s presentation was
related to what Mississippi has done in schools related to childhood obesity in
comparison with what Kentucky has done. Fascinating way to present the information
and since I’m familiar with even more states’ work, it’s always interesting to
hear what other states are doing. It’s not about competing with other states,
but rather how can each state learn from the successes of others’ and continue
to build upon their own state programs. Kudos to Kentucky! No state is perfect,
we all have work to do… but it was wonderful to be in a place where school
health is valued and key leaders want this work to be linked with academic
success and accountability systems… through key partnerships.
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