Local Wellness Policy-Updates

1. Local Wellness Policy-Updates Presented by The New Jersey Department of Agriculture October 2013

2. Objectives • Guide Local Education Agency’s(LEA) in local wellness policy provisions • Alert to the Passing of 2010 Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act and how that changes the requirements for the LEAs

3. Implementation Timeline • As of School year 2006-2007, all districts were required to establish a local school wellness policy, The NJ Model School nutrition policy was adopted by all NJ LEAs • For school year 2013-2014, LEAs are encouraged to continue reviewing and assessing their local wellness policies and implementing the new requirements. • LEAs will be held accountable for local school wellness policy implementation, assessment, and public updates.

4. NJ Code • Defines the NJ Nutrition policy as an acceptable wellness policy, BUT the HHFKA of 2010 make changes necessary • The code must be revised to remain consistent the federal standards • NJ wants to maintain the positive aspects of the current code while being in compliance with the federal standards

5. What’s new? The requirements for the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act has strengthen the local wellness policies under section 204 to include: • Elements of the local school wellness policy(LWP) • Stakeholder Involvement • Stakeholder participation • Local discretion • Public Notification • Measuring Implementation • Local Designation

6. Elements of Local wellness Policy • Goals for nutrition education/promotion • Goals for Physical Activity • Goals for School based activities to promote student wellness

7. Stakeholder Involvement • Public involvement permits, teachers of physical education and school health professionals to participate in the development of LWP. • The Requirements of the HHFKA, are now required to permit all stakeholders such as teachers, students, parents, school boards, SFA representatives, community members, and school health professionals to participate in the implementation and periodic review and update of LWP.

8. Local Discretion • LEAs can determine the specific policies appropriate for the schools under their jurisdiction, provided that those policies include all required elements specified in the Act

9. Stakeholder Participation • LEAs are now required to permit all stakeholders named, such as school administrators to participate in the implementation and periodic review and update the LWP

10. Public Notification • LEAs are required to inform and update the public(including stakeholders) and school community about content and implementation of the local wellness policy

11. Measuring Implementation • LEAs are required to periodically measure and make available to the public an assessment on the implementation of the LWP, including the extent to which school are in compliance with the LWP, the extent to which the LWP compares to model LWP, and a description of the progress made in attaining goals of LWP.

12. Local Designation • LEAs are required to designate one or more LEA officials or school officials to ensure that each school complies with the LWP

13. Components of a Wellness Policy • Nutrition education goals • Physical activity goals • Nutrition guidelines for all foods available on the school campus • Other school-based activities to promote student wellness

14. School Based Activities • Healthful and meaningful play • Time to eat • Rewards involving food • Dinning environment

15. Nutrition Education Goals • Possible enhancements: • Students receive consistent nutrition messages throughout the school • Sign up schools for Team Nutrition

16. Healthy fruits Variety

17. Physical Activity Goals • NJ Department of Education’s Core Curriculum Standards meets goal • Possible enhancements: • Integrate physical activity into the academic curriculum. • Provide opportunities for physical activity through after-school programs.

18. Other School Based Activities That Promote Student Wellness • Allow adequate time for meal consumption. • Provide a pleasant eating environment. • Schedule recess before lunch whenever possible. • Prohibit use of food as a reward or punishment. • Encourage school staff to serve as role models.

19. Implement the policy • Requires good planning and management skills • Consistent oversight • Requires widespread buy-in by school staff and the local community

20. Maintain, Measure and Evaluate • Establish a plan for measuring implementation of wellness policy. • Designate one or more persons to ensure schools are meeting the policy. • Evaluate effectiveness of the policy.

21. Evaluating the Policy • Review policy goals periodically • Assess what’s working and what’s not working • Use evaluation tool • Have designated team member sign and date

22. Monitoring Process • A copy of the current Local School Wellness Policy • Documentation demonstrating the Local School Wellness Policy has been made available to the public • Documentation of the district’s efforts to review and update the Local School Wellness Policy, including an indication of who is involved in the update and methods the district uses to make stakeholders aware of their ability to participate • A copy of the district’s most recent assessment on the implementation of the Local School Wellness Policy • Documentation demonstrating the district’s most recent assessment on the implementation of the Local School Wellness Policy has been made available to the public

23. School Wellness Policy Team nutrition web site: www.fns.usda.gov/tn/healthy/wellnesspolicy.html

24. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: School Health Guidelines to promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: • Result: 9 Guidelines were developed around nutrition, physical activity and Obesity prevention • www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/npao/strategies.htm • These guidelines can help creating goals for Nutrition education and physical activity

25. Requirements for AR review • A local wellness policy that is current with the 2010 HHFKA section 204 regulations • Nutrition guidelines for all foods available on school campus • A plan for measuring implementation • Maintain documentation to support the compliance

26. HUSSC • The Healthier US School Challenge • Must submit the wellness policy and goals • How often your wellness committee meeting • School improvement plan • Describe how the community is involved

27. Questions…. Thank you