Coordinated School Health Programs[WLOs: 2, 3] [CLOs: 1, 2, 4]
Prior to beginning work on this discussion, please read Chapters 5 and 6 of the course textbook and the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance – United States, 2019Links to an external site. (YRBS) report. After your readings you should be more familiar with the power of organizing individuals within a community and the effect it can have on a population. In this assignment you will discuss the strengths associated with coordinated school health programs (CSHP) along with where and how they can be best utilized.
Go to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2019Links to an external site. report to examine the CDC’s data regarding youth risk behavior. The report breaks down key risk activities (i.e., sexual activity, violence, suicide risk, opioid misuse, tobacco use, dietary behaviors, and transportation among others) and provides data on each activity. For example, on page 80 of the document, you will see a table that highlights 59.5% of students 18 years old and older acknowledge they text and drive, and on average, 39% of students, across all age ranges, text and drive. As mentioned last week and in this week’s Epidemiology and the Community assignment, epidemiology data plays a huge role in knowing where to focus public health efforts. Documents like the YRBS are full of data that can help public health professionals identify the areas of most need. If you were a public health professional and were going to focus an aspect of your CSHP efforts in one direction, you might use the data in the sentence above to determine that texting while driving is a serious health concern.
Your task for this assignment is to choose one of the following topics discussed in the YRBS:
- School violence/bullying
- Mental health (e.g., suicide, eating disorders, self-harm, etc.)
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol use
- Illicit drug use (e.g., opioids, marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, etc.)
- Sexual behaviors (e.g., multiple partners, condom use, etc.)
Address the following items on an aspect of your chosen topic. In your paper,
- Identify the personal reason you chose your topic and subtopic.
- Describe what the data shows regarding this health issue.
- Identify the percentage of youth engaged in the behavior.
- Hypothesize why it is reported as improving or worsening.
- Identify whether this health issue is focused in primarily one area of the United States or whether it is a problem everywhere.
- Answering this question will require additional research.
- Identify in which state and, more narrowing, which county within that state that will you focus CSHP efforts.
- Describe why you chose that area.
From the perspective of a CSHP leader, address the following items. In your paper,
- Identify the main focus of your CSHP—the aspect of the school-day experience you feel needs the most attention regarding this health issue.
- For example, with childhood obesity, making modifications to the physical education class is likely to have the largest impact.
- Identify the areas of your CSHP you would like to touch upon to make your approach to this health issue as comprehensive as possible (e.g., classroom, physical education, after-school programs, cafeteria, administration, etc.).
- For example, if you were studying obesity in elementary-aged children, you could have the classrooms discuss the importance of healthy eating; in physical education, students could participate in more active games and fewer elimination games; in the cafeteria you could work with the employees to develop healthier options for the daily lunch beyond the state standards; for the administration you could recruit the principal and other instructors to serve as “health champions” and models for good health behaviors; and with the after-school programs you could conduct all-school and family assemblies to allow families to see the changes that are taking place at the school while also demonstrating some simple, healthy recipes they can try at home.
- Describe how you will tailor the aspects of your CSHP to be of interest to students in grades
- K through 4.
- 5 through 8.
- 8 through 12.
- Describe how you would engage the students, staff, parents, and community to pull everyone together to support your program.
- List three potential barriers that may prevent you from implementing your entire plan.
- Describe how you will overcome these barriers.
The Coordinated School Health Programs assignment
- Must be at least three to five double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft WordLinks to an external site. resource.
- Must contain responses to these items that are placed in paragraph form, not simply listed as bullets.
- Must demonstrate that you can collect, compile, and present a broad array of information in a narrative form.
- Must include a separate title page with the following:
- Title of paper in bold font
- Space should appear between the title and the rest of the information on the title page.
- Student’s name
- Name of institution (The University of Arizona Global Campus)
- Course name and number
- Instructor’s name
- Due date
- Title of paper in bold font
- Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic VoiceLinks to an external site. resource for additional guidance
- Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
- For assistance on writing Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site. and Writing a Thesis StatementLinks to an external site., refer to the Writing Center resources.
- Must use at least two peer reviewed scholarly sources. Be sure to integrate your research rather than simply inserting it.
- The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible SourcesLinks to an external site. table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
- See the Writing Center’s Integrating ResearchLinks to an external site. for more information.
- Must document all sources in APA style as outlined hereLinks to an external site. and hereLinks to an external site..
- Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center. See the APA: Formatting Your References ListLinks to an external site. resource in the Writing Center for specifications.
Carefully review the Grading RubricLinks to an external site. for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The Coordinated School Health Programs (CSHP) play a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of students in educational settings. As a medical professor, I have designed a college assignment for medical college students that focuses on evaluating the strengths of CSHP and determining their best utilization. The assignment requires students to choose a specific health issue discussed in the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) report and develop a comprehensive CSHP plan.
Answer to the Content:
Topic: Mental Health (e.g., suicide, eating disorders, self-harm, etc.)
1. Personal reason for choosing the topic and subtopic:
My personal reason for choosing the topic of mental health is the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among adolescents. I believe that addressing mental health concerns and providing appropriate support is crucial for the overall well-being and academic success of students.
2. Data regarding this health issue:
According to the YRBS report, the data shows a significant proportion of youth are engaged in mental health-related behaviors such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, and eating disorders. For example, approximately 17% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide, and 13.6% made a plan about how they would attempt suicide.
Hypothesis regarding the reported improvement or worsening of mental health issues:
The worsening trend could be attributed to several factors, including increased academic pressure, social media influence, inadequate mental health support systems, and stigma surrounding mental health. The improvement could be a result of increased awareness, access to mental health resources, and targeted interventions.
3. Focus of the health issue – Problem everywhere or primarily in one area:
Mental health issues are not limited to a specific area and are prevalent nationwide. However, the degree of prevalence and available resources may vary across different states and counties.
4. Focus of CSHP efforts – State and county selection:
For the CSHP efforts, I will focus on the state of California and specifically target Los Angeles County. The reason for choosing this area is its high population density and diverse demographic composition, which makes it an ideal location for implementing a comprehensive mental health program.
5. Main focus of CSHP:
The main focus of the CSHP program would be to increase access to mental health services and support for students in schools. This would include providing counseling services, implementing mental health awareness programs, and training teachers and staff to identify early signs of mental health issues.
6. Comprehensive approach areas:
To make the CSHP approach as comprehensive as possible, the following areas will be targeted:
– Classroom: Incorporating mental health education into the curriculum and promoting mental health literacy among students.
– Physical education: Integrating stress-reducing physical activities and promoting the benefits of exercise for mental well-being.
– After-school programs: Offering mental health support groups and activities that foster emotional well-being.
– Cafeteria: Promoting healthy eating habits and providing nutritious food options.
– Administration: Engaging school administrators to advocate for mental health initiatives and provide resources for students.
– Community: Collaborating with community organizations and resources to foster a supportive environment for mental health.
7. Tailoring CSHP aspects for different grade levels:
For students in grades K through 4, the focus would be on promoting emotional resilience, building social skills, and creating a safe and supportive classroom environment. For grades 5 through 8, the CSHP efforts would include educating students about mental health, stress management, and peer support networks. For grades 8 through 12, a more comprehensive approach would be implemented, including career guidance, mental health awareness campaigns, and external resource referrals.
8. Engaging students, staff, parents, and community:
To pull everyone together and support the CSHP program, various strategies will be employed:
– Student involvement: Encouraging student-led mental health clubs and campaigns, and involving students in planning and decision-making processes.
– Staff support: Providing professional development opportunities for teachers and staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in addressing mental health issues.
– Parent engagement: Organizing workshops, support groups, and informational sessions for parents to increase their understanding of mental health and facilitate open communication.
– Community partnerships: Collaborating with local mental health organizations, community leaders, and healthcare providers to establish a network of support and resources for students and their families.
9. Potential barriers and overcoming strategies:
Three potential barriers that may prevent the implementation of the entire CSHP plan include limited funding, resistance from stakeholders, and lack of mental health professionals. To overcome these barriers, strategies such as grant applications, community fundraising, advocacy efforts, and partnerships with professional mental health organizations can be utilized. Additionally, training existing staff members to support mental health initiatives and utilizing telehealth services can help address the shortage of mental health professionals.
In conclusion, the CSHP program focusing on mental health issues in Los Angeles County, California, aims to address the increasing prevalence of mental health concerns among students. By incorporating various aspects of the school-day experience and engaging students, staff, parents, and the community, the program aims to promote mental well-being and provide comprehensive support to students of different grade levels. Overcoming potential barriers and tailoring the program to meet specific needs will ensure the successful implementation of the CSHP plan.
