Vonda Fekete

1. Vonda Fekete Nutrition Education and School Nutrition Programs Supervisor

2. Local Wellness Policy P.L. 108-265, Section 204 Effective the first day of school after July 1, 2006 Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

3. Local Wellness Policy • Required by each LEA participating in the NSLP or SBP • Intent of Congress is that the policies be developed at the local level • Requires goals for: • Nutrition education • Physical activity • Other school based activities • Designed to promote student wellness Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

4. Required Components • Promote student health and reduce childhood obesity • Establish a plan for measuring implementation • Designate one or more persons (LEA or each school) charged with the operational responsibility for ensuring the school meets the wellness policy Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

5. Required Components Input required from (at a minimum): • Parents • Students • School Food Authority • School Board • School Administration • Public Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

6. Action Steps to Take Now? • Make an appointment to meet with your Superintendent (or top administrative official) to discuss: • Policy-making process • Timeline • Appropriate team members • Policy format • Investigate councils that already exist in the school district that involve many of the same people • Investigate related policies that already exist at the district or school building level Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

7. Policy Writing Steps • Form/expand the team • Assess the needs • Local level data/statistics • http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/resources/support.pdf • School Health Index http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov • Create policies • Market/communicate the established policies • Implement the policies • Maintain the effort (Evaluate, Modify, Review) Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

8. A Policy Should Include: Who is establishing the policy Why the policy is being established To whom the policy applies Definitions of any terms that apply Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

9. Required Components Requires nutrition guidelines for all foods available on the school campus during the school day • Ala carte • Fundraisers • Vending machines • Classroom parties • Foods used as rewards • School stores Can address the NSLP but need to ensure that the LEA guidelines are not less strict than the NSLP regulations for SMI. Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

10. A Policy Should Include: What is the program, strategy or requirement of the policy (Can be very detailed or can be brief with detailed plan, dependent upon school board) Who enforces the policy What are the rewards and/or sanctions How will the policy’s effect be measured Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

11. A Policy Should Include: When is the policy adopted? When does it take effect? When should it be revised? Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005