Healthy Students, Promising Futures

Launched in July 2016, the Healthy Students, Promising Futures Learning Collaborative supports states in expanding school health services and promoting healthy school environments. The initiative was established with support from the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services based on the growing recognition that healthy students are better learners, and that delivering health services in schools is a key strategy for improving access to quality health care for underserved children. Since its inception, Trust for America’s Health and Healthy Schools Campaign have been integrally involved in the cross-sector initiative, and currently co-lead the effort.

The initiative is currently comprised of 15 teams from California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. To participate, state teams must include representatives of state Departments of Education, state Medicaid agencies, two school districts and may also include advocates.

Through in-person and remote learning experiences, the initiative provides opportunities for structured peer-to-peer learning, formal technical assistance, strategic advice and the sharing of best and emerging practices across sectors and states. Examples of topics explored to date include: data sharing, managed care, behavioral health, federal school health policy opportunities (e.g. ESSA, free care), innovative delivery models (e.g. telehealth), and partnerships with community-based Medicaid providers.