College students are struggling to maintain well-being, with mental health challenges becoming exceedingly disruptive. Health and wellness coaching can be utilized in the college setting in addition to counseling to connect college students with resources, provide support through accountability and unconditional positive regard, and promote…

Mental health for preschool students has not always been seen as the purview of school psychology. However, school psychologists can have a powerful impact by supporting the needs of young children. Research has shown that many children are not emotionally, socially, behaviorally, or academically ready for kindergarten. This was further…

The structure of the American higher education system includes several essential stakeholders within its doors--administration, faculty, and staff--who often operate independently of one another. Supporting the well-being needs of today's students, however, requires collaboration between student affairs, academic affairs, and institutional…

While all school transitions are important, the middle to high school shift stands out. It coincides with biological, social, and cognitive changes in young people that began in early adolescence but continue into high school. These changes can be quite stressful, often disrupting students' academic performance and social and emotional well-being…

Evidence supports increasing student physical activity in school, and Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAPs) can help students meet national physical activity goals to support their physical and mental health. Although strategies and frameworks are readily available to support schools in their efforts to implement successful…

Physical activity (PA) promotion is an ideal intervention target for public health because it has the potential to help individuals feel better, sleep better, and perform daily tasks more easily, in addition to providing disease prevention benefits. There is strong evidence that individual-level theory-based behavioral interventions are effective…

School districts determine the types of health services and health professionals needed in schools, as well as how to deliver and pay for these services. This policy brief outlines four models for delivering school-based health services and explains who is responsible for billing Medicaid under each one. Understanding the different Medicaid…

This new report documents 10 years of Space to Grow, celebrating this dynamic program's significant impact on Chicago schools, neighborhoods and the environment. From transforming schoolyards into vibrant, multifunctional spaces that foster learning, play, connection to nature, and community engagement, to helping mitigate flooding, Space to Grow…

This narrative explores outdoor learning for post-secondary students, the myriad health benefits of nature experience, and the importance of engaging with the more-than-human world. Some comparisons are drawn between indoor- and outdoor-based learning, and the affordances the latter offers for place-based wonder, emergent learning, and the…

Physical activity and healthy eating are instrumental to a child's overall healthy development, resulting in a number of positive outcomes, like better academic performance and lower risk of depression. Yet, most young people are not meeting the recommended daily amount of physical activity, are not eating enough vegetables or fruits, and are…

As part of THE FUSED Health Education Series, this article takes a deep dive into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 15 Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curriculum. The Characteristics emerged after a review of professional literature on effective health education programs and curricula and determined that these…

This paper explores the development of Civic Wellness programs at the Art Institute of Chicago, with an emphasis on how Civic Wellness teaching, partnerships, and strategy are informed by social justice-oriented values. These include equity practice, antiracism, strength in community, and democratic justice-oriented andragogy. The paper lays out…

Wright College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and community college in Chicago, Illinois serving around 10,000 students per year. The majority of our students are First Generation, 36% are Pell-eligible, about 60% work in addition to taking classes, and many take advantage of the Healthy Market for free groceries on campus. In 2021 the college…

Background: Given the body image and disordered eating struggles prevalent in young adults, weight-inclusive anti-diet programs are needed on college campuses. Such programs replace weight loss advice with changes that center physical and mental well-being. Methods/Program Design: University health and wellness programs such as University Coaching…