About Us

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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.

  • We strive to promote student success by increasing access to health resources, promoting trauma sensitivity, and building positive attendance culture.
  • We use a three-tiered approach and develop resources that empower families and practitioners in their homes and schools.
  • We facilitate the important communication and collaboration between the health and education sectors.
  • We partner with communities using an approach that is 1) strengths-based 2) whole-family oriented 3) equity-focused 4) trauma-sensitive, and 5) data-driven

Online Resource and Training Center

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.

Meet the Healthy & Ready to Learn Team

Chloe Smith photo

Chloe Smith
she/her/hers
Director of Programs

Angie Vega photo

Angie Vega
she/her/hers
Assistant Director

Vianca Perez photo

Vianca Perez
she/her/hers
Program Coordinator

Angie Vega photo

Jasmine Santiago
she/her/hers
Training & Partnership Manager

Our Partners

Program Partners

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

Advisory Committee

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

Site Development

Technical project management: Jen Pruitt

Application design, coding & maintenance: Steve Manes

Original art design: Michael Pinto

Interactive tools: Bryan Olmstead

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