Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC), 2021-2026

CHSC establishes and supports sustainable healthy communities as places where it is easier to practice healthy behaviors. Grantees work within high-need communities, engage a variety of partners and decision-makers, and develop and execute a comprehensive implementation plan in local catchment areas including cities, towns, reservations, and neighborhoods. The Department of Health (DOH) has defined five regions (Western, Central, Capital, Metropolitan Area, and New York City) and identified eligible communities in these regions. Communities are eligible when 40% or more of their population is not non-Hispanic White and/or where the percent of people living in high-need block groups is above the regional mean. High-need block groups were identified by the Area Deprivation Index, which uses 17 indicators for education, employment, housing quality, and poverty (data source: American Community Survey, 2009-2013).

Grant goals include:

  • Implementing food service guidelines (FSGs) with worksites (e.g., hospitals, universities/colleges, private workplaces, and state, local and tribal government facilities), and community settings (e.g., parks, stadiums, buildings/areas where community organizations meet), in multiple venues (e.g., cafeterias, cafés, grills, snack bars, concession stands, vending machines) to increase the availability of healthy foods. FSGs are specific food and nutrition standards and sustainability standards for food service operations that can be used to create a food environment that makes healthier choices easier for consumers.
  • Improving policies, practices, and environments for physical activity and nutrition in early care and education (ECE) settings [e.g. non-CACFP Child Care Centers, Day Care Homes (either CACFP or non-CACFP), and non-CACFP school-based three-year old pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs]. Grantees may also work to improve policies, practices, and environments for physical activity in some CACFP centers as identified by the DOH.
  • Implementing community planning and active transportation (Connecting Activity-Friendly Routes to Everyday Destinations) interventions in municipalities to increase safe and accessible physical activity. This is accomplished through collaboration with partners to connect sidewalks, paths, bicycle routes, and public transit with homes, early care and education sites, schools, worksites, parks, or recreation centers by implementing master plans and land use interventions or Complete Streets policies or plans. This is achieved by establishing new or improved pedestrian, bicycle, or transit transportation systems (i.e., Activity-Friendly Routes) that are combined with new or improved land use or environmental design (i.e., Connecting Everyday Destinations).
  • Implementing components of Local School Wellness Policies for Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs and a Healthy Nutrition Environment as found in the CDC Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model.

Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Program Reports

Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Success Stories

Find a Local Grantee in Your Community

To find a local grantee in your community see the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Grantee List & State Map or view a list of grantees