Healthy Schools Act
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Healthy Schools Act funding saved!
D.C. Hunger Solutions commends the D.C. Council for restoring funding for implementation of the Healthy Schools Act, after the Act was de-funded in Mayor Fenty’s FY 2011 Budget Gap-Closing Plan. Thanks to persistent advocacy by a diverse group of community members and stakeholders – and leadership from D.C. Council Chairman Gray and Councilmember Mary Cheh – D.C. Public Schools and public charter schools can move forward with initiatives that fight hunger and improve children’s health and well-being. This is an exciting victory for all District children.
In December 2010, Councilmember Cheh held a hearing on the implementation of the Healthy Schools Act. D.C. Hunger Solutions encouraged principals, teachers, parents, advocates, and others to testify at the hearing – a great opportunity to tell Council what is working, what can be improved, and what can be done to further improve the health, wellness, and nutrition of students in the District.
D.C. Hunger Solutions congratulates the D.C Council for fully-funding the Healthy Schools Act.
This landmark legislation will substantially improve health, wellness, and nutrition in our schools. The Healthy Schools Act will: expand access to school meals by making breakfast free for all students, bringing breakfast into the classroom, and eliminating the reduced-price co-pay for lunch; raise the nutrition standards and improve the quality of school meals; triple the amount of physical and health education students receive; and expand school-based health and wellness programs. Furthermore, millions of available federal dollars will flow into the District when more children participate in school meals.
By implementing this Act, the District is primed to lead the nation in addressing the intertwined problems of childhood hunger and obesity that impact the 74,000 children attending D.C. public and public charter schools.
D.C. Hunger Solutions is pleased to have worked closely with the city in championing this Act and looks forward to partnering with stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.
Follow this link for more information on the Healthy Schools Act.
Healthy Schools Act Passes
On May 3, 2010, the D.C. Council passed The Healthy Schools Act. Co-introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh (Ward 3) and Council Chairman Vincent Gray, the Act ensures that every child can access healthy food at school and eliminates the stigma that school meals are just for poor kids.
The Act features several key anti-hunger provisions including:
- Free universal breakfast for all students.
- Breakfast in the classroom and other innovative service models.
- Elimination of the reduced-price co-payment for school meals.
The Act also provides opportunities to improve District children’s health through a variety of measures, including: enhanced nutrition in school meals; increased physical activity and education; stronger school wellness policy implementation and accountability; and promotion of school health centers.
Resources:
- D.C. Healthy Schools Act brochure (pdf)
- Councilmember Cheh’s memorandum that explains the bill and its intent.
- Download information on national efforts to connect children to school meals and other child nutrition programs at the Food Research and Action Center’s Web site.
- Learn more about the upcoming Congressional reauthorization of the child nutrition programs.
