Overview of the Local Wellness Policy

Why the Focus on Local Wellness Policies?

• The prevalence of overweight among children aged 6–11 has

more than doubled in the past 20 years

• Overweight children and adolescents are more likely to remain

overweight or become obese adults and develop chronic

disease

• One in three American children born in 2000 will develop

diabetes in their lifetime

Why is School Wellness Important?

• While children are eating more, they are also exercising less.

• This can affect not only their weight but their attitude, academic performance and overall well-being.

Why is School Wellness Important?

• Preventative measures in schools, communities and at home to reverse the trend of childhood obesity.

• Over 20 percent of the US population can be found in the school community.

Our Charge

Help create environments in Indiana schools

where the healthy choice

is the easy choice.

What Does the Law Require?

Wellness Policy Requirements

• On June 30, 2004, the President signed the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. Section 204 of this law required school districts participating in the national school meals program to establish a local school wellness policy by school year 2006.

• This was reinforced and expanded in the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.

• 2004 vs. 2010 Comparison Chart http://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/nutrition/comparison-chart-2004-vs-2010.pdf

Wellness Policy Requirements

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) now requires that

the local school wellness policy, at a minimum, include the following

requirements…

Wellness Policy RequirementsWellness Committee consisting of…• Parents• Students• School Food Authority

Representatives• PE Teachers (NEW*)• School Health Professionals

(NEW*)• School Board • School Administrators• General Public

Wellness Policy RequirementsGoals/Content for…• Nutrition Promotion (NEW*)• Nutrition Education• Physical Activity• Other School-Based Activities that

promote student wellness

Need two or more goals listed under each section in order to meet the requirements of the Law

Wellness Policy RequirementsUse evidence-based strategies (NEW*)

Examples: • Smarter Lunchrooms Movement

www.smarterlunchrooms.org– Using creative names for fruits and vegetables and

targeted entrees– Training staff to encourage students to select fruits

and vegetables– Placing unflavored milk in front of other beverage

choices– Bundling “grab and go” meals that include fruit and

vegetable items

Wellness Policy Requirements

Monitor, Assess, & Evaluate (NEW*)

• Have a plan for measuring effectiveness, that is measured periodically

- using an evaluation tool• Form an annual progress report

Wellness Policy Requirements

Leadership

• Designate a person responsible for monitoring policy to ensure that each school complies

Wellness Policy Requirements

Public Updates (NEW*)

Inform & update …• Parents• students • Staff• community

about the content and implementation

Public Update Example

http://www.inhealthyweight.org/203.htm

Video of an Indiana school showcasing their wellness policy goals in action

Wellness Policy Requirements

USDA Requirements: Has provided assurance that the School Meals meet the USDA requirements

Nutrition Guidelines: Include nutrition guidelines to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity for all foods available in each school district

Wellness Policy Requirements

Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods

Wellness policies must be consistent with:• Meal pattern regulation • Smart Snacks regulation

Wellness Policy Requirements

DOE Oversight

• Included as part of the administrative review• Every 3 years

Resources Available

• Indiana Healthy Schools Toolkit• State Resources• National Resources

Indiana Healthy Schools Toolkit

• Policy Development and Implementation

• Up-to-date Information on Requirements

• Model Policy and Indiana Examples

State Resources

• IDOE- Office of School & Community Nutrition– www.doe.in.gov/nutrition/school-wellne

ss-policy

IDOE Wellness Evaluation Tool

(Based on New Requirements)

National Resources

• Alliance for a Healthier Generation–www.healthiergeneration.org

• Team Nutrition–www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition

• Action for Healthy Kids–www.actionforhealthykids.org

• Let’s Move!–www.letsmove.gov

Your Call to Action

• You can create opportunities for your students to make healthier choices.

brooklyncommunityfoundation.org

Wellness Policy Contact

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact:

Maggie StephonIndiana Department of Education, SCN

Wellness Specialistmstephon@doe.in.gov

Phone No: 317-232-2130