Healthy Schools Escambia (HSE) is a school-based wellness initiative funded by the Escambia Children’s Trust and designed to support the whole child by strengthening the connection between schools, families, and community partners. Through this critical investment, HSE is helping ensure students across Escambia County have access to the resources, services, and supports they need to thrive, both inside and outside the classroom.
During the 2024–2025 school year, Healthy Schools Escambia continued advancing whole-child wellness by building strong partnerships, expanding access to essential services, and laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term impact. With support from the Escambia Children’s Trust, this work reflects a shared commitment to equity, prevention, and meeting children and families where they are.
Whole-Child Wellness
In its foundational year, Healthy Schools Escambia focused on building the infrastructure needed to support lasting whole-child programming across diverse school communities. Each school has its own strengths, challenges, and priorities, and HSE recognized early on that effective wellness strategies must be flexible and responsive rather than one-size-fits-all.
Guided by the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, HSE developed internal policies and procedures to support clear and consistent operations. At the same time, significant effort was placed on relationship-building with school staff, HSE-funded partner agencies, and community stakeholders. This groundwork, made possible through funding from the Escambia Children’s Trust, allows services to be coordinated thoughtfully and delivered with intention.
District-wide landscape analysis and needs assessments helped identify service gaps and informed refinements at Global Learning Academy and O.J. Semmes Elementary. HSE also prepared for expansion by conducting mini-needs assessments and collaborative planning sessions with leadership at Brentwood Elementary and West Pensacola Elementary, setting the stage for Year 2 implementation.
Encouraging Movement
Physical activity is essential to both physical health and academic success. With support from the Escambia Children’s Trust, Healthy Schools Escambia helped schools implement components of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP), a national framework that encourages movement throughout the school day.
Students at Global Learning Academy and West Pensacola Elementary participated in after-school sports through the YMCA’s Y-Sports initiative, promoting teamwork, confidence, and healthy habits. Fifth-grade students at O.J. Semmes Elementary took part in physically active field trips to Fort Pickens and the Gulf Breeze Zoo, blending experiential learning with movement and exploration.
HSE also collaborated with school staff to explore ways to expand physical education opportunities and invested in physical wellness resources that enhanced recess and team-building activities, particularly at Global Learning Academy.
Supporting Healthy Nutrition and Food Access
Nutrition plays a major role in student well-being, focus, and energy. Healthy Schools Escambia supported nutrition education and food access initiatives that helped students and families build healthier habits.
The 2025–2026 Registration Bash at Global Learning Academy connected new families with nutrition support and food security resources, with ten community agencies present. Twenty-five families benefited from wraparound services designed to reduce barriers at the start of the school year.
During the summer, rising fifth graders at Global Learning Academy participated in a Summer Enrichment Program that paired academic learning with weekly themes centered on healthy eating. Students explored how nutrition, physical activity, and mental wellness are connected—an approach made possible through coordinated funding and partnerships supported by the Escambia Children’s Trust.
Make Healthy Choices
Health education is about equipping students and families with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions. Through HSE-supported partnerships, Gulf Coast Kids House delivered child abuse prevention and safety education to 791 individuals across Escambia County.
Parent Café sessions further supported family wellness by offering customized health literacy content in a welcoming, discussion-based setting. These opportunities helped families feel empowered, informed, and connected to school-based resources.
Creating a Positive Climate
A healthy school climate supports emotional growth, positive behavior, and strong relationships. This year, Healthy Schools Escambia invested in programs that reinforced connection and consistency for students.
At O.J. Semmes Elementary, incentive initiatives celebrated positive behavior, improved attendance, and fifth-grade promotion. The Foster Grandparent Program mentored 322 students, providing meaningful intergenerational support and emotional encouragement.
After-school tutoring programs at Global Learning Academy and O.J. Semmes Elementary strengthened academic outcomes while building trusting relationships. Summer enrichment programming blended academics with social-emotional learning, and new tutoring services were launched at West Pensacola Elementary and Brentwood Elementary as part of Year 2 expansion efforts.
HSE also sponsored wellness activities and healthy meals for faculty and staff, recognizing that student success is closely tied to educator well-being.
Bringing Health Services Directly to Schools
Thanks to funding from the Escambia Children’s Trust, Healthy Schools Escambia helped remove barriers to care by bringing medical, dental, and vision services closer to students and families.
During the year, 358 students received medical or dental care across partner schools. Free health screenings and vaccinations were offered during Registration Bash events at Global Learning Academy and West Pensacola Elementary, helping students start the year healthy and prepared.
Supporting Mental Health and Stability
Mental and emotional wellness are critical to learning and development. HSE strengthened pathways to counseling and behavioral health services by referring students and family members from O.J. Semmes and Global Learning Academy to Lakeview for ongoing care.
Targeted home visits helped families understand available supports, while collaborative efforts addressed housing instability for households facing urgent challenges. These wraparound services reflect the Escambia Children’s Trust’s focus on prevention and long-term stability for children and families.
Engaging Families as Partners
Family engagement remains a cornerstone of Healthy Schools Escambia. Needs assessments with families and school staff highlighted interest in expanded health services, after-school programs, trauma-informed practices, and basic needs support.
Parent Café sessions welcomed 28 participants at Global Learning Academy, with transportation assistance provided when needed. Registration Bash events at Global Learning Academy and West Pensacola Elementary connected families to trusted community partners, while home visits at O.J. Semmes strengthened relationships and trust.
Family attendance incentives reinforced the shared goal of student success and consistent school engagement.
Looking Ahead to Year Two
The 2024–2025 school year established a strong foundation for Healthy Schools Escambia. With continued funding from the Escambia Children’s Trust, HSE is well-positioned to expand services, deepen partnerships, and strengthen whole-child wellness across Escambia County.
As the initiative moves into Year Two, the focus remains clear: coordinated, compassionate, and community-driven support that helps students thrive today and build healthier futures tomorrow.