The purpose of this Commissioner’s Memo is to provide clarification and guidance concerning the implementation of the School Health Index Assessment. To clarify, please refer to Sections 4.03 and 4.03.1 within the Rules Governing Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards in Arkansas Public Schools (ACT 1220 of 2003). The School Health Index assessment is required to be administered at each school campus (elementary, middle, and high school) within each school district. The modules to be used are Modules #1, 2, 3, 4, and 8. This is to be implemented during the 2005 school year and is to be done on an annual basis. The link to the School Health Index Assessment is www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/SHI. An additional resource is the State Tool Kit http://www.healthyarkansas.com/advisory_committee/advisory.html.
Community Health Promotion Specialist and/or a Community Health Nurse Specialist is available to school districts in the school district’s region or educational cooperative. These specialists will provide technical assistance with the following: assist in establishing the Wellness Committee/Nutrition Physical Activity Committee, assist in implementing the School Health Index, and assist in writing the Wellness Policy.
For more information, schools may contact the district’s educational cooperative for the Community Health Promotion Specialist or Community Health Nurse Specialist. Schools my also call the Arkansas Department of Education Coordinated Health unit at 501-683-3600.