Empowering Escambia Students Through Whole-Child Wellness

United Way of West Florida is proud to expand Healthy Schools Escambia (HSE) across six Escambia County elementary schools, delivering comprehensive, whole-child wellness initiatives to local students and families. Generously funded by the Escambia Children's Trust and guided by the CDC's Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, HSE coordinates school and community resources to support children's physical, emotional, and social development. By bridging healthcare gaps, offering enrichment opportunities, and strengthening family engagement, HSE empowers students to build a strong foundation for lifelong academic and personal success.

Promote Healthy Habits

Healthy Schools Escambia prioritizes student movement and physical wellness. During its first year, the program implemented after-school sports programming at Global Learning Academy and West Pensacola Elementary through YMCA’s Y-Sports initiative, engaging 42 students across partner schools in activities that encourage teamwork and healthy habits. Field trips to Fort Pickens and the Gulf Breeze Zoo offered 72 students at O.J. Semmes Elementary the opportunity to engage in physically active, experiential learning, connecting movement with exploration and real-world discovery. Investments in physical education resources and structured recess activities at Global Learning Academy enhanced students’ daily movement experiences and built a foundation for lifelong wellness.

Lifelong Well-Being

Nutrition and health education have been central to HSE’s approach. The program hosted school registration events and summer enrichment programs that connected families with nutrition support and food security services, benefitting more than 25 families. Students engaged in hands-on learning about healthy food choices, the importance of balanced diets, and the relationship between nutrition, active play, and mental wellness. Nearly 800 students and community members also received child abuse prevention and safety education through partnerships with Gulf Coast Kids House.

Student Development 

Healthy Schools Escambia supports the social and emotional well-being of students through mentorship, tutoring, and wellness initiatives. Council on Aging of West Florida’s Foster Grandparent Program provided emotional support and intergenerational connection for over 322 students, while after-school tutoring at Global Learning Academy, O.J. Semmes, West Pensacola Elementary, and Brentwood Elementary strengthened both academic and relational growth.

Incentive programs encouraged positive behavior, attendance, and academic achievement, and summer enrichment activities blended academic and social-emotional development for students entering fifth grade. 

Health Services

Access to health services was a key focus of HSE’s first year. Medical and dental care reached over 358 students, and school events provided free health screenings and vaccinations to ensure students started the school year ready to learn. The program also facilitated mental health support for families by referring students and parents to Lakeview for ongoing services and by conducting home visits to connect families with wellness supports. Collaborative efforts with Legal Services of North Florida and local community-based agencies addressed housing instability for several households, ensuring that students’ basic needs were met alongside their health and learning needs.