Local Wellness Policy Requirements for Illinois Schools Create, Implement and Evaluate Policy Build Commitment to Student Wellness Locate Training, Funding & Resources How Does Your School Measure Up? Related Links

Requirements for Illinois Schools

• Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 - requires all local education agencies participating in a program authorized by the National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act to have a wellness policy.
• Local Wellness Policy Fact Sheet - quick guide to local wellness policy requirements of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act.
• State Goal on Wellness Policy Adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education - goal for public school districts to implement a Local Wellness Policy no later than the first day of the 2008-2009 school year
• Rules Part 305 School Food Service - establishes food and beverage requirements for items sold to students in grades 8 and below before or during the school day. More information.

Create, Implement and Evaluate Policy

Create . . .

• Local Wellness Policy Toolkit (PDF) or (Word), IL NET Program, revised 1/08
• Needs Assessment Tool from Toolkit (Word), IL NET Program
• Hot Link Model Local Wellness Policy (PDF) or (Word), IL NET Program - includes ideas for healthful fundraising and classroom incentives, revised 1/08
• Healthy Schools: Local Wellness Policy, USDA Team Nutrition
• Healthy Schools, Healthy Youth! , Centers for Disease Control
• Hot Link Report on Recommendations for Statewide School Nutrition Standards, IL School Wellness Policy Task Force
• NEW! School Wellness Policy Task Force Report on the Evaluation of School Wellness Policies
• Hot Link Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools, Institute of Medicine
• Fit, Healthy and Ready to Learn, NASBE
• Website Resources: Wellness Policies, IL NET Program - bibliography revised 12/07

Implement . . .

• Hot Link Putting Your School Wellness Policy into Action: School Resource Sheet, IL NET Program - Evidence-based nutrition education and physical activity programs
• Classroom resources
• Step Up Illinois School Meals Coming Soon
• NEW! Healthy Learning News, American Association of School Administrators - features school districts across the nation working toward a healthy school environment

• The Local Process, USDA Team Nutrition (scroll to bottom of page for evaluation information)

• Tapping into Power: Engaging Parents in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity , Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK)
• We CAN! - NHLBI program for families and communities to enhance children's activity and nutrition
• Engaging School Leaders as Partners, AFHK
• From the Top Down: Engaging School Leaders in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity , AFHK
• NEW! Move and Crunch Challenge for Principals, IL NET Program
• School Employee Wellness: A Guide for Protecting the Assets of Our Nations Schools
• Giving Kids the Voice of Authority: Engaging Students in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity, AFHK
• What Can Parents Do? Illinois NET Program
• What Can Communities Do? Illinois NET Program

• Free On-Site and Online Training, IL NET Program . Call 800-466-7998 to schedule training.
• Hot Link Grant Opportunities, IL NET Program
• Hot Link Funding a Local Wellness Policy, USDA
• Hot Link Illinois Schools Can! e-Newsletter, IL NET Program

NEW! Local Wellness Policy State Survey - See how your schools compares to others in Illinois in Local Wellness Policy implementation progress. Download Quick Facts (Word) or the full survey results below:

• Local Wellness Policy Needs Assessment Survey (PDF)
• Appendix A - Frequency Tables (PDF)
• Appendix B - Verbatim Responses (PDF)
• Appendix C - Questionnaires (PDF)
• Appendix D - Cover Letters (PDF)
• New! Evaluating Results, CA Healthy Kids
• New! How Well are You Doing with Wellness, ND Dept of Public Instructions (PDF)

Related Links

• Related Links - additional resources to assist in wellness policy work (Updated 3/08)

Hot Link = Top Priority Resources Needed by Illinois School Staff According to the 2006-2007 Statewide Survey