School-based Programs

What It’s About

The Marion County Public Health Department provides these programs for free to Marion County schools: public, private, or charter for elementary, middle, and high school students.

The Michigan Model for Health™ is a nationally acclaimed sequential K-12 health curriculum that has provided comprehensive school health education for school-aged children since 1984.

Safe Dates is an additional evidence-based health education program produced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

These programs are designed to address the major youth risk behaviors identified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Michigan Model for Health and Safe Dates programs have separate units based on grade level that address topics such as nutrition and physical activity, puberty, alcohol and substance use prevention, social and emotional health, and healthy relationships.

The curriculum uses a classroom approach to teach social-emotional learning. Each program involves skills practice, student assignments, and assignments for families to be involved in their student’s education. Each lesson is divided into multiple sessions which allow for more content to be discussed and explored beyond just one class period.

Many of the lessons also provide strategies for continued learning and application of skills gained. These evidence-based practices allow the students to proactively lead healthy lifestyles and prevent illness, injury, and unhealthy behaviors.

Multiple studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of the Michigan Model for Health that show declining statistics for substance abuse, unhealthy eating habits, and risky behavior engagement among students who have participated in the programs. Students also exhibited stronger interpersonal communication skills, improved anger and stress management, as well as improved safety skills. Safe Dates is the only evidence-based curriculum that prevents dating abuse — a factor often linked to alcohol and other drug use. Each curriculum is recognized by the National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices (www.nrepp.samhsa.gov) and by Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (www.casel.org).

Parents and guardians reserve the ability to have their student opt out of any program without repercussion if they decide that it is in their child’s best interest. If any parent, caregiver or guardian does not want their child to participate, they would simply sign the permission form and return it to the school. Sessions are available Monday through Thursday and are approximately 45 minutes in length.

If you are interested in any of the programs listed below, download the registration form, complete it, and return it to our office.

Request a permission form, registration form or brochure please here.

School Permission Form
Registration Form
Brochure

Indiana Academic Standards for Health and Wellness

The programs provided by the Marion County Public Health Department meet the standards for health education in Indiana schools as established. Get details on the Indiana Health and Wellness standards here.

Standard 1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.

Standard 2: Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology and other factors on health behaviors.

Standard 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products and services to enhance health.

Standard 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.

Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.

Standard 6: Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.

Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

Standard 8: Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family and community health.

Helpful Resources

Healthy and Responsible Relationships: HIV, Other STIs, and Pregnancy Prevention
Puberty: The Wonder Years
Safe and Sound for Life: Social and Emotional Health and Safety
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Nutrition and Physical Activity
Safe Dates
Physical Health and Wellness
Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning
Indiana Academic Standards for Health and Wellness