Health & Wellness

Health is a state of physical, emotional and mental well being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Children's health has always been a priority of the PTA. Issues have included childhood asthma, sun safety, tobacco use, alcohol and drug abuse, risky sexual behaviors, obesity, and mental health.

Comprehensive school health programs should be developed, instead of zeroing in on crisis situations. A coordinated school health program consists of eight components: healthful school environment; health services; health education; physical education; counseling, psychological, and social services; nutrition services; family and community involvement; and health promotion for staff. The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, part of the CDC, provides a detailed explanation of each of these components.

Immunization News

The Georgia Department of Human Resources made changes to immunization requirements for children entering schools and attending childcare facilities, effective July 1, 2007. You can view an archived web cast of the March 1st Video Interactive Conference System (VICS) program, which focused on "Changes to the Georgia DHR Immunization Rules & Regulations for Childcare and School." Additionally, you can download resources from the web cast that can be printed and photocopied for distribution.

For more information, call the Georgia Immunization Program at (404) 657-3158, or visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization/.

Specific Topics

• National PTA's Health and Wellness Resources
• Childhood Obesity
• Local School Wellness Policy

Resources

• Update USDA's School Nutrition Standards
• Parents' and Coaches' Guide to Dehydration and Other Heat Illnesses in Children
• Food for Thought - Article on Town Hall Meeting about School Nutrition

Job Opportunity - Let's Fight Flu Together Advocates

PTA's partner is offering an opportunity to help children and families stay healthy as well as being compensated for your efforts. Flu Busters is a national preventative healthcare company. We are currently hiring advocates to work with local schools and communities to help generate awareness for the Let's Fight Flu Together event. This position can be part-time. The advocates should have experience with PTA or worked with a school. Applicants with strong connections to their local community are desired.

Responsibilities include:

• Responsible for generating market share in your assigned region
• Responsible for presenting the vaccination event to school leaders
• Responsible for showing how important vaccinations are to keep communities healthy during the flu season
• Responsible for attending school trade shows in your area

Experience and Qualifications

• Demonstrated teamwork skills are a must for this position
• A self-starter in crucial as you will be working from home
• Experience with Microsoft Office tools
• Sales experience is not necessary as you will be an advocate/ information source for vaccinations

Please email resumes to pta@flubusters.net

Let's Fight Flu Together is a program sponsored by PTA and Flu Busters. The program provides local schools with educational materials and resources to conduct on-site immunization clinics to help protect children and their families.