Empowering Students Through Whole-Child Support
Healthy Schools Escambia (HSE) is a whole-child wellness initiative led by United Way of West Florida in partnership with the Escambia Children’s Trust. The program transforms local elementary schools into supportive community hubs by positioning dedicated Site Coordinators on campus to connect students and families with health services, academic support, basic needs, and family enrichment resources.
Guided by the CDC’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, Healthy Schools Escambia removes non-academic barriers to learning—ensuring every student in Escambia County is healthy, safe, supported, engaged, and challenged.
What We Do: The Four Pillars of Healthy Schools Escambia
On-Site Student Health Screenings & Wellness Care
Unaddressed physical and emotional health needs directly impact classroom focus and performance. Healthy Schools Escambia brings healthcare services straight to campus:
- Vision & Hearing Screenings: Routine school-based screenings identify vision and hearing challenges early, connecting children with corrective care and medical follow-ups.
- Preventive Health Care: Comprehensive medical screenings ensure elementary students start the school year healthy and ready to learn.
- Mental Health & Safety Navigation: On-site referral pathways to Lakeview Center connect families with counseling services, while age-appropriate child safety workshops delivered with Gulf Coast Kid's House empower students and caregivers.
Youth Sports & Physical Fitness Programs
Physical activity boosts cognitive function, classroom focus, and social development:
- YMCA Y-Sports Programs: After-school sports initiatives at partner schools teach teamwork, build self-confidence, and foster lifelong healthy habits.
- Experiential Learning Trips: Educational outdoor field trips to Fort Pickens and the Gulf Breeze Zoo blend active movement with real-world scientific discovery.
- PE & Recess Upgrades: Direct investments in physical education tools give students high-quality daily movement.
Academic Enrichment & Mentorship
We wrap students in encouraging educational support to build confidence and academic success:
- Targeted Math & Reading Tutoring: Focused after-school tutoring strengthens core reading and math proficiency.
- Intergenerational Student Mentorship: Mentors from the Council on Aging of West Florida’s Foster Grandparent Program provide reading assistance, steady adult guidance, and emotional support.
- Attendance & Behavior Recognition: Campus-wide incentive programs celebrate positive behavior, academic milestones, and consistent school attendance.
Resource Navigation
A student thrives when their home environment is stable. HSE Site Coordinators bridge the gap between families and vital Escambia County resources:
- Parent Cafés: Peer-led support sessions hosted alongside Help Me Grow and ARC Gateway offer parents a safe space for resource sharing.
- Emergency & Housing Assistance: Partnerships with Legal Services of North Florida assist families experiencing housing instability or financial hardship.
- Community-Focused Assessments: Ongoing surveys conducted by the University of West Florida ensure program services adapt to the evolving needs of each school community.
By integrating healthcare, physical activity, and academic support on campus, Healthy Schools Escambia delivers measurable outcomes across our partner schools:
- 1,658 Total Students Served across partner elementary campuses.
- 657 Medical Screenings completed over the past two years.
- 302 Vision Screenings conducted, successfully identifying 87 students (28%) with vision abnormalities and linking them to care.
- 269 Hearing Screenings completed, identifying 35 students (13%) with hearing abnormalities for follow-up support.
Measurable Academic & Attendance Growth
- YMCA Y-Sports Success: Participating students at Global Learning Academy exceeded the school academic average by 10% and achieved 4.4% higher attendance rates.
- Mathematics Performance Gains:
- Global Learning Academy (GLA): Math proficiency rose from 26% to 39%.
- O.J. Semmes Elementary (OJS): Math proficiency rose from 33% to 50%.
- Brentwood Elementary (BWE): Math proficiency rose from 29% to 43%.
- West Pensacola Elementary (WPE): Maintained a strong 39% math proficiency rate.
- English Language Arts (ELA) Growth:
- Global Learning Academy (GLA): Reading proficiency increased from 37% to 41%.
- O.J. Semmes Elementary (OJS): Reading proficiency increased from 24% to 39%.
- West Pensacola Elementary (WPE): Maintained a high 47% reading proficiency rate.
Contact Your School's Site Coordinator
Our Site Coordinators are located on campus at our partner elementary schools. Reach out to your school's coordinator for help accessing health screenings, tutoring, basic needs support, or family resources: