School Health Promotion
Opportunity for Health Improvements in Louisiana Schools
Each day in Louisiana, more than 1,300 schools provide a setting for over 716,000 students to learn and establish lifelong healthy behaviors. Well-Ahead Louisiana helps our schools create healthy school environments for Louisiana students to succeed and thrive.
We’re pretty proud of our way of life in Louisiana and our lifestyle has a big impact on our overall health. These numbers affect every aspect of life in our communities, including academic success. Research shows a strong connection between healthy behaviors and academic achievement. Youth risk behaviors, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary behaviors and tobacco use are consistently linked to poor grades and test scores and lower educational attainment.
130000+
Louisiana youth currently use tobacco products1,2
1 in 4
of students who are overweight or obese is at risk for poor academic achievement compared to 1 in 5 of students not overweight or obese3
24%
of Louisiana high school students didn’t eat any fruits in the last week3
15%
of Louisiana high school students didn’t eat any vegetables in the last week3
Improve the Health of Louisiana Students
Well-Ahead is changing the conversation around health in schools. Research shows that healthy school environments can improve students’ academic performance and overall health. The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model is our framework for promoting health in schools. The model is student-centered and emphasizes the role of the community in supporting schools, the connections between health and academic achievement and the importance of evidence-based policies and practices. Well-Ahead connects schools to resources that can help them implement healthy changes to prevent chronic disease, promote health and connect our communities to healthier future.
Grant Opportunities for Louisiana Schools
Well-Ahead connects schools to opportunities for funding and technical assistance.
Healthy Schools Mini-Grant
The Healthy Schools Mini-Grant opportunity provides up to $3,000 to schools to increase physical activity for students.
Health & Wellness Data Collection in Louisiana
Well-Ahead monitors health behaviors, practices and policies in schools, so we can provide effective support.
Healthy Eating and Education in Louisiana Schools
Healthy school nutrition environments provide nutritious and appealing foods and drinks and consistent and accurate messages about good nutrition.
Healthy Out-of-School Time
Healthy behaviors should be taught not only during the school day, but before- and after-school, too.
Louisiana Healthy Schools
Well-Ahead and the Louisiana Department of Education work together through Louisiana Healthy Schools to ensure that all public school students have access to a healthy school environment.
Physical Activity Programs and Education
Students need access to opportunities to be physically active and to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to be healthy for a lifetime.
Reopening Schools During COVID-19
COVID-19 has presented unique challenges to our schools, and Louisiana has come together to work through solutions. Well-Ahead is working to connect school administrators, teachers and nurses to resources, education and training that support safe reopening.
Sustainable School Health Programs
The three elements of a successful school health program include a wellness team, an action plan and a wellness policy.
Training and Technical Assistance for School Staff
Through our Healthy Schools Training Krewe and our virtual trainings, Well-Ahead provides technical support and education to school staff on skills to implement healthy changes at school.
WellSpot Designation
Well-Ahead works with schools to help them implement wellness benchmarks. This is a great first step to implementing the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model in schools.
Citations
1 Louisiana Youth Tobacco Survey (LYTS), 2021. https://wellaheadla.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2021_LYTS-Report.pdf.
2 US Census Bureau: 2021 5-Year ACS PUMS Microdata. https://data.census.gov/mdat/#/search?ds=ACSPUMS5Y2021&vv=AGEP(14:18)&rv=ucgid&wt=PWGTP&g=0400000US22.
3 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2019.
Success Stories
Smart changes in school environments can positively influence the health our communities, one-step at a time.
Take Notes! Schools Improve Community Health
Schools can have a big impact not only on the education of their students, but also on the health and well-being of their community as a whole. Schools in Catahoula and Concordia parishes are making a difference and leading their communities to a healthier future. Catahoula and Concordia parishes are rural and federally designated Health …
Iberia Parish School District Confronts COVID-19 Challenges Head-on
The Iberia Parish School District officials focused on the health of the whole child while facing the challenges of COVID-19 during the 2020-21 school year. District Superintendent Carey Laviolette, Assistant Superintendent of Administration Jennifer Joseph and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Heath Hulin have worked together in their respective positions for the past three …
Rosenwald Elementary Students Encouraged to Make Healthy Food Choices by Fun, New Cafeteria Wall Mural
Local Artist Ken Honore painting a mural at Rosenwald Elementary School. Health and Physical Education Teacher Wendy Carnes brought choosing healthy foods to life by getting local artist Ken Honore to paint a mural on the cafeteria wall at Rosenwald Elementary in New Roads. Carnes noticed that students often left the fruits and vegetables on …