Healthy Schools Oklahoma

PROJECT PURPOSE

Using a comprehensive approach to school health, Healthy Schools Oklahoma (HSOK), led by The Children?s Center Rehabilitation Hospital, is a catalyst for improving the quantity and quality of health and physical education programs throughout the state of Oklahoma. Schools selected to participate in the HSOK program focus on five key areas which are directly related to reducing the leading causes of poor health among Oklahoma residents: promoting physical activity and fitness, nutrition education, tobacco use prevention, injury prevention, and oral health education. HSOK schools receive the opportunity to enhance their students? health knowledge plus provide educational intervention in the attitudes and behavioral skills required for the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Schools also receive monetary assistance, program specific training, on-going professional development, public recognition, educational ideas, evidence-based health and physical education curricula, assessment materials and technical assistance. It is HSOK?s intention to improve public health by teaching our children about the value of healthy living and demonstrating how healthy lifestyles can be achieved throughout a lifetime.

EVIDENCE

HSOK has a proven record of promoting health within schools and has been widely recognized by the state legislature and endorsed by both the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). The Central Oklahoma Turning Point Initiative named HSOK as a "best practice model" for the State of Oklahoma. HSOK has also been recognized by the Oklahoma State Medical Association for its progress in improving the health of Oklahoma. HSOK uses a collaborative, community-based approach to create a network of services and resources easily accessible to school children, their families and school faculty. HSOK employs three main program tenets: Building & Maintaining Infrastructure, Training and Follow-Up.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Unfortunately, the nearly 900,000 children who live, play and go to school in the state of Oklahoma are developing unhealthy behaviors that lead to many of the chronic health problems of our adult population; however, many of these poor health conditions are largely preventable due to lifestyle choices. HSOK is working to reverse this trend so that our residents will have a better quality of life and Oklahoma will have a healthier, more productive workforce resulting in reduced healthcare costs. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a direct spotlight on the need for primary prevention programs such as HSOK. HSOK currently promotes its mission in 54 elementary schools impacting 29 school districts located in 16 Oklahoma counties. The HSOK program will impact approximately 35,000 students, families and school faculty during the 2021-22 school year. Currently, approximately 74% of participating elementary school sites are considered mid-high (25%) or high poverty (49%).

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Since 1997, HSOK has put an emphasis on program evaluation. Currently, HSOK has a contract with the University of Oklahoma Department of Pediatrics to analyze the HSOK program using two methods: 1) FitnessGram © which tests five physical fitness components (aerobic, push-ups, sit and reach flexibility, curl ups, trunk lifts) and body mass index; and 2) A knowledge, attitude, and behavior questionnaire focusing on HSOK?s health education curriculum. HSOK will utilize both testing methods to collect data on the ARPA project.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma