SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3

(By Senator Stollings)


Requesting the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability work with state agencies to explore options to improve school health.

Whereas, West Virginia schools should identify the needs and gaps of school health by using the School Health Index Assessment and pursue a coordinated approach to school health as described in this report; and
Whereas, The Office of Healthy Schools in the Department of Education should provide technical assistance and support to help schools conduct the assessment and achieve a coordinated school health system; and
Whereas, A point of coordination and accountability should be established for all types of health screenings at both the county and state level which can answer key questions such as the number of children screened, types of screenings performed and children who needed referrals and further services; and
Whereas, Each county school system should seek to establish a school health system which includes coordination between school health nurses, school-based health centers, local medical, dental and mental health services and public health resources; and
Whereas, The principles of prevention, medical home and chronic disease management should be a part of every school system; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Department of Education, Bureau for Public Health, Bureau for Behavioral Health and Healthy Lifestyles Coalition should work together to assess the physical, social and emotional environment of schools; and
Whereas, All county boards of education should promote staff wellness programs that encourage healthy lifestyles among staff in order to improve productivity and model healthy behaviors; and
Whereas, It is the responsibility of government, education, public health, behavioral health, communities and private practitioners to build an environment which addresses the needs of healthy lifestyles, including, but not limited to, education and school health; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability is hereby requested to work with state agencies to explore options to improve school health; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Department of Education, Bureau for Public Health, Bureau for Behavioral Health, Healthy Lifestyles Coalition, West Virginia School-Based Health Assembly and West Virginia Association of School Nurses.