Parents and caregivers want their children to be happy, healthy, and productive. A focus on health and safety is important for all children as they grow up. Healthy children start to learn skills when they are born. These skills will help them in school and when they are adults.
Teachers can’t do it all! But, sometimes common problems in the classroom and hallways usually extend beyond “bad behavior” and could be indicators of certain health issues. Resolving health issues in school can have a positive impact on attendance and focus during the school day.
Health staff play a pivotal role in a growing child’s life. Doctors, nurses, health educators, and medical support staff all communicate important information to children and families related to physical and mental health and well-being.
Policies and laws help shape school health in practice. As research continues to show how health affects education and vice versa, programs to promote school health are growing. Anyone can be an advocate - students, families, educators, and community members.
The Healthy and Ready to Learn Resource and Training Center provides free trainings to equip all adults in the lives of children with the knowledge and skills to promote strong attendance, community health, and training sensitivity.
For 36 years Children's Health Fund has provided high quality clinical services to children in some of the most underserved communities in the country. The Healthy and Ready to Learn initiative is the next step.
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The Healthy and Ready to Learn Initiative was developed by the Children’s Health Fund to address health issues that impact student learning and attendance. Since 2014, we have partnered with two NYC elementary schools to implement a comprehensive school-based model that provides the school community with health services, education, resources and protocols. We address health needs rooted in social, racial, and economic inequities by creating relevant content that builds the capacity in the school community. Our program has expanded to include technical assistance, training, this online resource and training center, and local and national advocacy.
This website houses high-quality, useful materials and tools developed through our school-based programs. Intended for use in New York City and nationally, educators, parents, health staff (including school nurses), and school health advocates can access these free resources to support their own work in ensuring students are healthy and ready to learn.
Our materials are designed to be useful and accessible for parents and educators throughout New York City. New York City is home to families of different financial, racial and ethnic backgrounds. Our materials are created with this beautiful diversity in mind. All materials created by Healthy and Ready to Learn have gone through a thorough review process by relevant content experts, including teachers, parents, pediatricians and mental health clinicians.
Check out our fact sheets, infographics, interactive tools, and videos! Join our online and in person events and trainings to share and learn more about how to keep kids healthy and ready to learn.
Send us feedback and content ideas at rtc@chfund.org.
Angie Vega she/her/hers Assistant Director
Vianca Perez she/her/hers Program Coordinator
Jasmine Santiago she/her/hers Training & Partnership Manager
Angelika Gutierrez she/her/hers Senior Manager, Research, Evaluation and Learning
Counseling in Schools
New York City Office of School Health
Pro-bono translations provided by NYC Tutoring
Raising Educational Awareness Coalition of Harlem (REACH)
UnitedWay of New York City
Lemuria Alawode-El United Way of New York City
Scott Bloom, LCSW-R Office of School Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Amy Casanova Parent Coordinator, South Bronx
Phoebe Christian, MPH South Bronx Health Center, Montefiore Health System
Kevin Dahill-Fuchel, LCSW Counseling in Schools
Abelardo Fernandez The Children's Aid Society
Sue Fothergill Attendance Works
Frank Hernandez, M.Ed Principal, New York City Department of Education
Kathy Marshall-Polite Office of Community Schools, New York City Department of Education
Allison Mathurin, MS Guidance Counselor, New York City Department of Education
The Late Rosa McLeish Public School Grandparent, Harlem
Marie Piazza Teacher, New York City Department of Education
Roger Platt, MD Office of School Health New York City Department of Education New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Arija Linauts NYS-TEACHS at Advocates for Children
Nereida Santiago-England, M.Ed Retired Teacher, New York City Department of Education
Christine Schuch United Community Schools, United Federation of Teachers
Kim Sutell Office of Community Schools, New York City Department of Education
Migdalia Vasquez, MSW UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
Maria Cunningham-John, RN Office of School Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Technical project management: Jen Pruitt
Application design, coding & maintenance: Steve Manes
Original art design: Michael Pinto
Interactive tools: Bryan Olmstead
https://hrl.nyc/node/about-us
