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RIDE and Rhode Island Department of Health outline school‑health framework and statewide student surveys
Summary
State education and health officials briefed the Westerly School Committee subcommittee on Rhode Island's school health regulations, the Whole School Whole Child framework, and upcoming Youth Risk Behavior Survey administration; presenters emphasized data tools (YRBS, School Health Profiles, SurveyWorks) and partnerships including telehealth via Hazel Health.
Samantha, a RIDE presenter who said RIDE co‑promulgates school health regulations with the Department of Health, told the Westerly health and wellness subcommittee on Dec. 10 that the state has elevated school health work within the Division of Teaching and Learning to the Office of School Health and Wellness to better coordinate education and health services. "We just wanted to have an opportunity to support the field, to clarify some of the regulatory pieces, to take a look at the data, to kinda share our vision for health education," she said.
The presentation framed state work around three categories — health education, health services and healthy school environment — and aligned that work with the CDC's Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community model. Samantha said the Rhode Island Health Education Framework, updated and approved in 2022, emphasizes developmentally appropriate, skills‑based curriculum taught by certified health educators.
Samantha highlighted statewide partnerships and programs available to districts. "One of our new investments in the state is a new partnership with Hazel Health, which will be doing telehealth," she said, noting that "22 districts are already in the process of setting up a no cost MOU" to make telehealth services available for a full year. She also pointed to resources from Pure Edge and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence for educator and student supports.
State surveillance tools and data were a central part of the briefing. Samantha and Erica from the Department of Health described the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), School Health Profiles and SurveyWorks as tools to identify trends in student health behaviors and perceptions. Erica, who identified herself as the Department of Health school health nurse coordinator, said YRBS is administered on odd years and that states may tailor certain questions to local needs; she stressed that results are non‑identifiable. "These surveys are given to high school students and middle school students," Erica said.
Presenters urged districts to use dashboard data to inform local planning: SurveyWorks and the Attendance Matters dashboards were highlighted as sources for tracking school climate and chronic absenteeism. Samantha said the annual school health report — typically submitted by district leadership — is due in June and documents compliance with regulations that cover screenings, medication administration and suicide prevention training.
The presenters provided live links and agreed to share the slide PDF and resources with the committee. Samantha said, "All the links in this presentation are live, and I've shared it with folks in Westerly so they can send out the PDF." The committee plans to follow up with RIDE staff for clarification about what items are recommended guidance versus regulatory requirements.
The subcommittee did not take formal action based on the presentation; presenters offered technical assistance and directed members to the posted resources for further review.
