Partnering with Schools to Improve Student Wellness
Partnering with Schools to Improve Student Wellness
A prime example of a partnership to promote healthy schools is the collaboration between the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) that began in 2016. HHSA began by coordinating a Wellness Provider Fair at SDCOE’s Annual Summit on Student Engagement and Attendance. The Wellness Provider Fair featured County agencies, contractors, and community partners. In 2017 and 2018, HHSA and SDCOE co-hosted the Summit at a larger venue. In addition to the Wellness Provider Fair, HHSA also coordinated breakout sessions and provided speakers.
Beginning in 2019, the co-hosted Summit joined the successful
Live Well
Advance , an annual
celebration of the progress and partners of Live Well San Diego. HHSA and SDCOE collaborate each
year
to provide a Schools Track for
the Advance. More than 250 participants participate
in school-focused sessions to learn about County and community
resources, and district best practices to address many of the root
causes of absenteeism, including behavioral health, poverty and food
insecurity, housing instability, student safety, alcohol, tobacco
and other drug use, and student engagement.
HHSA and SDCOE continue to collaborate to support healthy school environments and provide resources to schools and districts. This growing partnership has already proved of great value in aligning priorities and strengthening ties between SDCOE, schools, HHSA, and community programs and services.