Conducted jointly by Eastern Suffolk BOCES and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
As partners Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Suffolk County Department of Health Services are implementing a countywide Health Education Initiative. In essence, funding is being provided to BOCES enabling us to help districts implement a comprehensive K-12 health curriculum consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for school health programs to prevent tobacco use and addiction. Additionally, we assist secondary schools in implementing cessation programs for those students who use tobacco products. The initiative further provides for assisting districts in strengthening their tobacco policies. Youth empowerment activities comprise the final component of the initiative.
Tasks and Goals
- Develop a comprehensive K-12 health curriculum in accordance with the CDC guidelines and the National Health Standards.
- Design training for teachers to facilitate the implementation of the K-12 curriculum.
- Provide curriculum, teacher training and all materials to interested Suffolk County school districts at no charge.
- Create focus groups with teachers to assess their needs and later refine the curriculum once implemented in order to best suit the needs of the students.
- Assist school districts in expanding district-wide policies on tobacco use.
- Coordinate training of school district personnel with existing smoking cessation programs in order that schools may provide cessation services on site at the secondary level.
- Develop school and community intervention strategies to create awareness and promote the adoption of the prevention and cessation curricula.
- Report biweekly to the Department of Health Services on the on the activities of the initiative.
- Create evaluation methods both for participating teachers and students.
- Develop a web page accessible to teachers for the purpose of technical assistance and feedback.
- Establish an advisory board whose purpose is to offer guidance to program personnel.
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