How to Form a School Wellness Advisory Group

January 22nd, 2015

Nevada Department of Agriculture,

Food and Nutrition Division

Cindy Rainsdon, RD,LD

POLL: HAVE YOU ALREADY FORMED YOUR SCHOOL WELLNESS ADVISORY GROUP?

What Are the Requirements?

• Each school district/school must establish a diverse team that will assess the needs and develop a policy that helps the school/district work toward improved health and wellness outcomes for students

• The Advisory group must meet at least twice a year to review and update their LSWP

• You will be required to report information on how individuals can involved with the advisory group

Who is responsible for leading the Advisory Group?• School Wellness Coordinators

• What makes a good School Wellness Coordinator?• Fully understands the requirements

• Can facilitate the development of implementation of the policy

• Excellent communication skills

• ? Time Requirement

What’s the Role of the Advisory Group?• The advisory group will need to review the current School

Wellness Policy

• Assess the School district/schools individual needs

• Revise/Develop a policy that meets the minimum state school wellness requirements

• Support school wellness and encourage school/community events that help your school/district work toward improved health and wellness outcomes for schoolchildren

How Do I Start An Advisory Group?

• Solicit school and community members who have an interest in student or school environment health and wellness to participate

• Sample letter in Best Practices manual

Who Should Be Included?

• Parents

• Students

• School Food Service Personnel

• PE teachers

• School Health Professionals

• School Board Members

• School Administrators

• General Public (Local Pediatrician, Registered Dietitian, Public Health Professional, Health and Human Services employees, WIC, etc)

How Often Will We Need to Meet?

• School Wellness Advisory Groups are required to meet at least 2x/year

• More frequent meetings may need to occur initially

• Dependent on ongoing community/school activities

How to encourage strong participation?

• Make Everyone Feel Welcome and Valued

• Use Social Media, Existing Email Lists, Automated Voice Messages

• Send Reminders about meetings ahead of time

POLL: HAVE YOU READ THE BEST PRACTICE MANUAL?

How to Maintain a Cohesive and Successful Group…..• Schedule and Prepare Meetings Well in Advance

• Prepare a Structured Agenda

• Respect Group Members Contributions

• Set Clear Expectations

• Keep Members Informed

• Consider Alternative Methods of Sharing Ideas• Group emails, Blogs, Facebook, Conference calls, Online Documents

What Resources Are Available to Help?

• Nevada’s School Wellness Policy, Best Practices Manualhttp://nutrition.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/nutritionnvgov/Content/Programs/Wellness_documents/SWP%20Best%20Practices%20Manual%20-11%2007%2014.pdf

• Advisory Board Guidelineshttp://dowelldogood.net/?p=663

• Tips for Creating an Effective Advisory Boardhttp://www.stengelsolutions.com/tips19.htm

• Engaging All Leadershttp://www.communityschools.org/assets/1/AssetManager/CommunityAndFamilyEngagement.pdf

• Collaborative Leadership Structurehttp://www.communityschools.org/assets/1/AssetManager/collaborative%20leadership.pdf

Questions?