Getting Started
Action for Healthy Kids developed this Tool with input from our partner organizations and volunteer Team members to help you create a Local Wellness Policy that meets your district's unique goals for nutrition and physical activity and take the next steps to put the policy into action to positively impact students' health and lifelong choices.
In June 2004, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act was signed into law, making it mandatory for all local education agencies participating in the Federal School Meal Programs to create a Local Wellness Policy by July 2006.
This Tool is intended to help anyone involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating wellness policies by providing practical guidance and how-to information about the Wellness Policy process.
The process of developing and implementing a Wellness Policy is cyclical and ongoing. Putting the policy on paper is not enough to improve student nutrition and physical activity, and by following the cycle of policy development shown above, school districts can improve student nutrition and physical activity long-term.
To use this Tool, you can start with Step 1 or go directly to the Step that is relevant to your progress. There you will find objectives, resources, and frequently asked questions to guide your journey through the Wellness Policy process.
