NC Healthy Schools
Healthy Children Learn Better!
NC Healthy Schools focuses on improving the health of students and staff by providing coordination and resources within the context of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. The goal is to create students who are healthier, in school, in class, and ready to learn. Students who are healthier are more alert, more focused on learning, and miss less school. They not only learn better in every class, but they also learn lifelong healthy behaviors. It just makes sense.
Vision
NC students, staff, and families are healthy, safe, supported, engaged, and prepared for future success.
Mission
Provide support to schools and community stakeholders so they can promote the health, well-being, and success of NC students and staff.
How We Do It
We use the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, and related best practices, to guide our partnerships, priorities, products, and recommendations.
School-Based Mental Health Policy
In June of 2020, Session Law 2020-7 was approved by the North Carolina General Assembly. It is an act to require the state board of education to adopt a school-based mental health policy and to require k-12 school units to adopt and to implement a school-based mental health plan that includes a mental health training program and a suicide risk referral protocol.
School-Based Mental Health Policy Compliance
The NC Healthy Schools Team
Ellen Essick, Ph.D.
Section Chief for NC Healthy Schools
ellen.essick@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2818
Sarah Blanton
Healthy Schools Consultant
sarah.blanton@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2812
Kisha Bryant, Ed.D
School Counseling Consultant
Bernadette Cole
Administrative Specialist for NC Healthy Schools
bernadette.cole@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2822
Burt Jenkins
Healthful Living / Athletics
Burt.Jenkins@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2816
Pachovia Lovett
School Social Work Consultant
Pachovia.Lovett@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2821
Lillian Pinto
Reproductive Health Consultant
Lillian.Pinto@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2819
Susanne Schmal
School Health Partnerships and Policy Consultant
Susanne.Schmal@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2817
Jenifer Simone
School Nurse Consultant
Jenifer.Simone@dhhs.nc.gov
919-218-1095
Les Spell
Data and Policy Consultant
Les.Spell@dpi.nc.gov
984-236-2815
Information and Resources
For more information about the work of the Healthy Schools Team and to browse resources, visit our subpages below or on the side-rail: