Since 2010, the MUSC Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness has supported schools in the implementation of evidence-based policy, system, and environmental strategies at the population level targeting improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and enhanced social emotional wellness for both students and staff through our School-based Wellness Initiative.
This community-generated, school-based initiative works to create a culture of wellness by providing direct support and motivation to schools and districts as they select and implement evidence-based wellness strategies. Program coordinators provide ongoing technical assistance and training to districts and schools, supporting implementation of wellness strategies, collaboration with community partners, and sustainability planning. Local healthcare professionals contribute by joining school wellness committees as health advocates through our Docs Adopt Initiative.
Expansion of our School-based Wellness Initiative across the state is made possible because of state-wide partnerships and support from our generous funders.
Healthy Me – Healthy SC (HMHSC) is a collaborative program between the Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University. This partnership is designed to improve health care access and health inequities in rural and underserved areas of South Carolina, employing impact and innovation to build healthier communities. The MUSC BCCW School-Based Wellness Initiative is implemented through Healthy Me – Healthy SC. Clemson University Health Extension Agents (HEA) serve as the Program Coordinator to carry out the Initiative in participating schools and districts.
Teachers at participating schools are also provided the opportunity to enroll at no cost in the School Gardening for SC Educators course, provided by Clemson University Cooperative Extension. This horticulture-based training program helps educators and students grow school gardens together. Upon completion of the training, schools receive materials to build a garden. The utilization of farm to school strategies such as this aids in strengthening the relationship between existing agricultural/nutrition services and schools, and the hands-on approach to educating students about nutrition and where their food comes from promotes healthier students and communities.
Diabetes Free SC (DFSC) is a long-term, multi-million-dollar, statewide initiative dedicated to addressing the epidemic of diabetes in three strategic directions: improved pregnancy outcomes in women with diabetes; reduced lifelong risk of diabetes in children; and the prevention of diabetes and its complications in adults. The MUSC BCCW is included in the effort to reduce the lifelong risk of Type 2 diabetes in children through our School-Based Wellness Initiative. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
We currently support schools in twenty school districts including:
