Texas School Health Advisory Committee: Resources
The Texas School Health Advisory Committee (TSHAC) created the resources below. Information includes research, best practices, and information to help school leaders promote school health. Schools are permitted to utilize or modify the documents listed below to meet the needs of the individual school.
Opioid Prevention Resources for Texas Schools includes opioid prevention resources to educate students, families and staff members about the dangers of opioid misuse and about ways to prevent and overcome opioid addiction.
Topics for Local SHAC Meetings lists topics for school health advisory council (SHAC) meetings. SHACs are important partners when making recommendations for carrying out school health programs. Districts may ask their SHAC for guidance and recommendations on a variety of school health topics. SHACs are required to meet four times each year.
Dealing with Economic Crisis Resources provides resources and ideas to assist students and families during an economic crisis.
The Texas School Health Advisory Committee has retired their Mental Health Resources for Educators and Schools document. Please visit the School Mental Health website for resources and tools for families, educators, students, and community partners. This website was created through partnership between the Texas Education Agency, Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education, and the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health.
SHAC Annual Progress Report to the Board of Trustees template (PPT)
SHAC Annual Progress Report to the Board of Trustees template (DOC)
SHACs are required to submit a yearly report to its local school board. The customizable PowerPoint presentation and report are templates that can help SHACs meet this requirement.
Coordinated School Health Resource Data Sets (Revised 4.2018) compiles available child and school health data sources for writing grants, reports, and campus improvement plans.
SHAC Self-Assessment
A SHAC should periodically assess how well it functions so it can improve. The SHAC Self-Assessment Tool can guide a SHAC through this process and steer the SHAC towards improvement.
Bullying Prevention Toolkit
The Texas legislature has addressed the need for districts to develop anti-bullying policies and interventions. This toolkit lists resources to help develop anti-bullying policies and interventions shown to work.
- Introduction for the Bullying Prevention Toolkit (9.2018)
- Bullying Prevention Websites and Resources - Digest
- Bullying Prevention Websites and Resources - Annotated (Revised 4.23.18)
- Sample Resolution: SHAC Recommendation Against Bullying in Texas Public Schools (4.2018)
Sample Resolution: SHAC Recommendations on Obesity Prevention in Texas Public Schools and Cover Letter
This document is an example of a school-based obesity prevention resolution for SHACs. SHACs can use this resolution to support their school district as they work towards improving and strengthening:
- nutrition education;
- access to healthy foods;
- physical education and physical activity opportunities before, during, and after school; and
- joint-use agreements that make school recreational facilities available to the community during non-school hours.
Resolution Supporting Inclusive Practices for Students with Exceptionalities in Texas Public Schools is an example of a resolution supporting all students with exceptionalities in Texas public schools. SHACs can use this resolution to support their school districts as they work to provide high quality, inclusive education with full and meaningful access to the general education curriculum.
School Health Initiative Screening Tool and Cover Letter
Outside vendors approach school districts and SHACs with products, curriculum, programs, or resources on a regular basis. SHACs might review these items and make recommendations to the school district or school board for use. This tool assists SHACs with any review of school health-related products, curriculum, programs or resources.
Sodium Reduction in Schools provides school districts and school nutrition practitioners recommended strategies for sodium reduction.
Recommended School Health Services Staff Roles outlines school health services staff roles and responsibilities based on state laws, professional licensing and best practices.