Page 74 - MMP-N-NJ CCN 21st Century School Nurse Leadership Book

Steps to Gaining Buy-in and Leading Change and Transformation (Kotter, 2007).
See Making Change Happen (p.7):

1. Establish sense of urgency.

• Motivating statement (often communicated to key school administrative
decision maker(s)):

Dear Mr./Ms. Administrator,

I am concerned about some of the school community health needs we see
in school – increasing obesity, mental health issues, substance abuse are just
a few. I have found an amazing tool from the Centers for Disease Control
called the School Health Index that can help us make a self-assessment of
our current programs, gives us research based information about the health
status of our community, and identifies low-cost or no-cost changes that are
reasonable and user-friendly to implement. What I like most about the program
is that it is a community-organizing and partnering initiative. The program
engages teachers, administrators, parents, students and the community in
promoting health enhancing behaviors and better health for the community.
The program has been used across the U.S. with over 500 schools developing
community-based teams focused on health and wellness in the school and
school community. I know you are committed to the academic success of our
children through the lens of the whole school community. Can I count on your
support? I am ready to begin today.

• Examine the literature and community assessment: In addition, the following areas related to
this are:

School Community Health Problem/Needs Assessment:
• Identify available resources that may already have templates, guides, and resources.

• Identify potential solution based upon scan of literature and relevant sources of information.

Resources:

Start here: Centers for Disease Control. (2017). Healthy Schools. School Health Index.
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/shi/index.htm

Download the planning guide for your school age level:
Elementary ( https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/shi/pdf/Elementary-Total-2017.pdf )
Middle/High Schools ( https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/shi/pdf/Middle-High-Total-2017.
pdf )

Watch video “how-to”: Centers for Disease Control. (2017). Training Tools for Healthy Schools
e-Learning Series - School Health Index: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide. Retrieved
from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/professional_development/e-learning/shi.html

Other partners with SHI: Alliance for a Healthier Generation:
https://schools.healthiergeneration.org/dashboard/about_assessment/

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