Promoting Comprehensive School Health and Wellness in Rural Colorado: Preliminary Outcomes of a University-District Collaboration

• In Event: Intersections of Rural Economics, Health, and Education

Abstract

This paper describes preliminary outcomes from a comprehensive health and wellness planning process with 21 rural school districts in southern Colorado, a region with the highest childhood poverty and lowest county health rankings in the state. Using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment framework, we describe our planning process and how districts engaged school leaders and school and community stakeholders in the process. We also highlight school health trends in southern Colorado: many districts identified mental health and substance use as student health priorities and primarily adopted evidence-based practices in the areas of “counseling, psychological, and social services” and “health education.” These findings enhance understanding of comprehensive health and wellness planning and carry implications for partnering with rural schools.

Authors

• Shannon Nicole Allen, The Center for Rural School Health and Education

• Benjamin C Ingman, Center for Rural School Health & Education, Morgridge College of Education, University of Denver

• Carla Loecke, University of Denver

• Elaine Belansky, University of Denver