Thank you for your interest in becoming involved! There are many ways for schools to work with us to achieve health outcomes. Schools may commit to working on a specific strategy or may dedicate resources to ensure the success of the Coalition's work through raising awareness and funds to support a priority area of interest to students. Whatever way you choose to become involved, the best first step is to complete a CHIP in! agreement here.

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Following are some of the most popular ways for schools to get involved:

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Become a 5-2-1-0 participating school!

5210 Worcester is implementing a nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program. The name represents 5 fruits and vegetables a day, 2 hours or less of recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity, and 0 sugary drinks. Download an information sheet here for an overview of the program.

 

Join the 84 movement!

The 84 is a statewide movement of youth fighting tobacco in Massachusetts. The 84 represents the 84% of Massachusetts youth who did NOT smoke when the movement began. Now, 89% of youth do NOT smoke. Download an information sheet here or check out this video here. 

 

Recruit students for the local Youth Health Action Committee!

The Youth Health Action Committee is a new initiative comprised of young people ages 15-18 from the Central Massachusetts area interested in driving social change efforts to promote healthier communities. Download a flyer here and a Peer Health Organizer position description here. 

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Organize a fundraiser!

Please contact Kristin Bafaro, Director, at kristin@healthygreaterworcester.org to learn more about organizing a fundraising campaign or event which will raise awareness and funds to support a healthy community.

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A more extensive list of 2016 CHIP strategies which pertain to schools is below:

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Substance Use

2.1.1 – Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in schools
2.1.4 – Reduce barriers to Recovery High School
2.3.1 – Increase naloxone use
2.4.3 – Increase social-emotional learning curricula for youth
 

Access to Care
3.2.7 – Increase screening, testing, treatment, and referral to services through schools and SBHC
 

Mental Health
4.1.1 – Promote career options in mental health
4.3.1 – Mental health education to reduce stigma
 

Cultural Responsiveness
6.1.1 – Use CLAS standards to test programs for Cultural and Linguistic Appropriateness
 

Access to Healthy Food
7.1    – Increase use of National School Lunch Program
7.1.6 – Input on school breakfast/lunch program by school-aged children
7.3.3 – Implement Kindergarten Initiative at schools
7.3.4 – Expand curricula around community gardens, cooking, and nutrition
 

Physical Activity
8.1.2 – Safe Routes to School maps and audits
8.1.5 – Every elementary school has safe place to play