Discussion about development of a Virginia Coordinated School Health Leadership Institute initiated several years ago in response to requests of local school health advisory board members, state agency staff members, and staff members in not-for-profit organizations that work with schools.  Although additional partners are invited to participate in the brainstorming, planning, and implementation processes, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), American Cancer Society (ACS), and the Virginia Comprehensive Health Education Training and Resource Center (VCHETRC) at Longwood University are current collaborative partners on the project.  Of the partners, the VCHETRC was selected in 2004 to coordinate Institute logistics for the training sessions.

This project, which is based on other national and regional models of school and health leadership institutes, is the first statewide leadership institute designed specifically to meet the needs of Virginia school health professionals, local parent groups, and related local health promotion staff members through two-year training cycles. Emphasis of the Institute is placed on building leadership in health education and health promotion to help those in schools (staff members and students) embrace a healthy lifestyle and achieve success in schools.  A further Institute goal is to help local leaders become more proactive in mobilizing resources to positively respond to the ever-changing school and community environments. 

Each two-year cycle consists of a competency based curriculum with four two-day on-site sessions, four learning-based conference calls, conference call discussions between mentors and respective school team contact persons, intersession readings and assignments, development of a school team project, individual leadership self-assessment and personal development process, a final school team project presentation to Cycle I and Cycle II candidates, and a graduation ceremony.

After years of planning, searching for funds, and a thorough recruitment and application process, the first face-to-face training session of the two-year Virginia Coordinated School Health Institute was held December 2-3, 2004, Charlottesville, VA.  The 2004-2006 Institute candidates were identified from a variety of health areas: e.g., health education, health services, healthy school environment, school nutrition, parent and community groups, physical education, health promotion for staff, or counseling, psychological and social services.  Thirty-four (34) top candidates were selected as the inaugural class to become Fellows of Coordinated School Health in Virginia.  The 34 candidates compose 15 school teams across Virginia representing schools from small, medium and large school divisions in rural, suburban, urban areas.  

Over time, the Virginia Coordinated School Health Leadership Institute will:

·         Provide in-depth professional preparation for school health leaders;

·         Create a staff development process and program of study that can benefit local school divisions; and

·         Provide tremendous resources to support a locality’s school health efforts. 

PROGRAM OUTCOMES              

To contribute to student achievement and school success in the Commonwealth, the Virginia Coordinated School Health Leadership Institute will help participants develop personal and professional leadership competencies to:

·         Effectively build or strengthen organizational capacity for school health programs.

o      Analyze personal knowledge, skills, and qualities for effective leadership within the local system.

o      Develop and implement a professional leadership effectiveness plan including but not limited to:

• Project management

• Develop a professional library

• Documentation/evaluation

o       Begin ongoing activities to coordinate school health initiatives or programs within your school division. 

·        Create a strong school health team and motivate colleagues and the community to contribute to a coordinated school health program approach for addressing local health issues for youth.

o       Develop and implement a leadership plan to include:

• Facilitative leadership

• Training/coaching/mentoring

·         Effectively advocate for a coordinated school health program.

o      Develop and implement an advocacy plan to support the self-selected local Institute initiative or project. 

 PARTICIPANT SELECTION CRITERIA      

Criteria for determining eligibility for nomination to the Virginia Coordinated School Health Leadership Institute include the following measures.

Institute applicants:

·         Should be recognized as proactive school health advocates;

·         Should have a basic knowledge of coordinated school health program components; and

·        Must have commitment and buy-in from the leadership of their school division and immediate supervisor so they can implement a school health initiative as part of the Institute training. 

Additional criteria for participation

Virginia Coordinated School Health Leadership applicants must: 

·        Hold a position in a school health-related field that may include--but is not limited to--health education, health services, healthy school environment, school nutrition, parent and community groups, physical education, health promotion for staff, or counseling, psychological and social services.

·        Have a School Division Nomination Form, a School Division Endorsement Form signed by the division superintendent and immediate supervisor(s), and a completed individual application form.   

·        Make a commitment to complete the Institute’s two-year professional preparation program, interim reports on the self-selected school health initiative, as well as an end of program presentation for other Virginia Coordinated School Health candidates and participants in the Health for Success Training Sessions. 

 

·        Demonstrate leadership abilities, including facilitation, organization, advocacy, managing multiple projects, and team building. 

·         Demonstrate high interest and commitment to continue in a leadership role within the school division. 

Local school divisions must provide a commitment to:

·        Allow the candidates to complete the two-year professional preparation program of the Virginia Coordinated School Health Leadership Institute. 

·         Support the effective functioning of a local school health board, council, or team.

·         Support the effective functioning of a locally selected school health initiative. 

·         Provide partial financial support for selected candidates to participate in the two-year program.