Ohio Farm to School Programs

ODE and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) collaborate on the Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) initiative with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The major focus of CSHP is to help schools and communities integrate best practice wellness strategies into current initiatives in eight related areas: health education, physical education, health services, nutrition services, counseling and psychological services, healthy school environment, healthy promotion for staff, and family/community involvement.

Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP)

Ohio Senate Bill 210, The Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Act, became law June 18, 2010. The law contains provisions to combat childhood obesity in the next several years by increasing students’ physical activity and ensuring access to healthy meals and beverages at school.

It also requires school districts, community schools, STEM schools, and chartered nonpublic schools to establish body mass index (BMI) and weight status category screening programs for students in kindergarten and grades 3,5 and 9. The Ohio Department of Education is required to issue an annual report on the compliance of school districts and schools with the BMI screening requirements. Districts must report aggregate BMI data to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) by June 1 each year. Information about student health also must be provided to students and their parents or guardians.

Resources for The Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Act

The Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Health receive funding from CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health to