A. Contingent on the availability of funding, the State Department of Education shall contract with a statewide nonprofit school health program that promotes the health needs of students to establish a School Health Coordinators Pilot Program. The purpose of the Pilot Program shall be to assist elementary schools and the Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committees in elementary schools in implementing health and wellness programs and providing health and wellness information to students in the elementary schools. The State Department of Education shall oversee the Pilot Program. The Pilot Program contractor shall coordinate the Pilot Program and provide the required support to schools to allow for participation in the Pilot Program.

B. The Department shall conduct the Pilot Program for a period of not less than five (5) years. The Pilot Program contractor shall employ and provide for the salary and benefits of school health coordinators, along with training and school support needed to implement the Pilot Program. The number of school health coordinators employed in years one and two of the Pilot Program shall be contingent upon funding and other factors as determined by the Department in conjunction with the Pilot Program contractor. By year three of the Pilot Program, not less than six school health coordinators shall be employed by the Pilot Program contractor with one school health coordinator assigned to each quadrant of the state, one assigned to the Tulsa metropolitan area, and one assigned to the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. A Pilot Program coordinator, Pilot Program contractor monitor, and additional school health coordinators may be employed if funds are available. A person employed as a school health coordinator shall at a minimum have a baccalaureate degree in health, community health, education, physical education, or nursing.

C. The school health coordinators shall be responsible for:

1. Facilitating the activities of and providing assistance and expertise to the Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committees in elementary schools;

2. Providing professional development opportunities for teachers;

3. Providing curriculum, materials, and resources to elementary schools for school health programs, which may include health education, physical education, health services, nutrition services, school climate, physical environment, health promotion and wellness, and youth, family, and community involvement;

4. Assisting elementary schools in completing the School Health Index;

5. Interacting with parent organizations in public schools in order to educate parents about health and wellness issues; and

6. Conducting a public health media campaign for students and their families.

D. The Department and the Pilot Program contractor shall form a steering committee with representatives from the State Department of Health and other entities interested in school health to help provide expertise, oversight and guidance for the Pilot Program.

E. The Pilot Program contractor in partnership with an evaluation entity shall conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the Pilot Program. A copy of the evaluation shall be submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

F. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 2008, c. 419, § 1, eff. July 1, 2008.

NOTE: Editorially renumbered from § 24-100c of this title to avoid duplication in numbering.