Pittsburg Wellness Forum

Description

Student leaders from USD 248 in Pittsburg, Kansas gathered together to learn about their role in creating healthy school environments. Over a two day period the teens learned about what they could do to create a healthier place to learn.

Impact

The Teen PEP Rally event was promoted statewide and attracted 59 students and 20 advisors from 16 school districts and included activities and events to support individual student wellness. It also sought to educate and empower students to implement wellness initiatives in their own schools. 87% of PEP Rally participants indicated they would probably or definitely attend another Teen focused PEP Rally. Student participants received mini-grants to assess their school environment and develop action plans for positive change. Kansas AFHK Team members provided technical assistance to the students throughout the grant project. Students utilized the Center?s for Disease Control and Prevention School Health Index to assess their schools policies, practices, and programs with regard to the school health and wellness. Using the information gathered as a baseline, students identified projects that addressed the school wellness environment and developed an action plan. The Kansas AFHK Leadership Team utilized student team members from the Pittsburg Forum in an advisory capacity to help guide the organization in planning for the Kansas Teen Wellness PEP Rally on June 8-9, 2009. After both student events, 76% of the participants felt they could impact or improve the health and wellness climate in their school.