Child Health and Wellness Resources

Child Health and Wellness

School Wellness Policies help create healthy school environments where students can thrive. By supporting good nutrition, physical activity and overall well-being, these policies play an important role in student success both in and out of the classroom.

School Wellness Policy Requirements

Wellness Policies are required to include:

Clear Goals for Student Wellness
Measurable goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and other school-based efforts that promote student health. Schools are encouraged to use evidence-based strategies when setting these goals.

Nutrition Standards for Foods Sold at School
All foods and beverages sold to students during the school day must meet federal nutrition requirements, including:

School meal nutrition standards
Smart Snacks in School standards
Guidelines for Foods Provided at School
Standards for foods and beverages offered to students that are not sold, such as classroom celebrations, snacks brought from home, or foods used as rewards.

Healthy Marketing Practices
Only foods and beverages that meet Smart Snacks standards may be marketed or advertised to students on campus.

Transparency and Accountability

Policies must outline how schools will involve the public, share updates, identify leadership, and evaluate progress over time.

Wellness Policy Resources

Wellness Policy Best Practices

Wellness Policy Outreach Toolkit

Strong Wellness Policies are most successful when the whole school community is informed and involved. Use these outreach materials to share your efforts, build support and inspire actions that promote student health and well-being.