Information from USDOE on Health and ENvironmental matters that may be of interest.
Stan Freeda
New Environment, Health and Facilities Landing Page!
Please get the word out about our Green Strides: Environment, Health and Facilities at ED landing page, where you'll find links to pertinent ED facilities, health, sustainability and all STEM programs. The landing page also includes our Green Strides Resources and our Green Strides Webinar Series, now up to 70 sessions scheduled nearly every Wednesday through November 2013! All states, especially those who did not submit nominees this year or who had lower application rates than they would like, may wish to suggest that their schools and districts use these free tools. The resources and webinar presentations provide all schools and districts with the tools they need to move toward our Pillars of 1) reduced environmental impact and costs; 2) improved health and wellness; and 3) effective environmental education.>>> Among the links on the page, you'll find ED's 2012 Environmental Justice and Sustainability Performance reports, both pursuant to Executive Order, and each published concurrently with reports from over a dozen other agencies. State education agencies wishing to participate next year will continue to find the current criteria and fact sheets regarding participation here.
Affordable Care Act Opportunity: Help Boost Insurance Enrollment
As you know, ED is working to make all schools healthier, safer and more sustainable with initiatives in the areas of school facilities, health and environment. To help states, districts and schools ensure healthy schools and students, the Department encourages school communities to make use of exciting new provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Please ensure that everyone in your school community knows that it’s not too soon to check out HealthCare.gov for the new health insurance marketplace. I attach a sample newsletter item and social media on this important topic.
Opportunity to Connect Schools to Urban Waters
The Urban Waters Federal Partnership, an innovative union of 13 federal agencies, is collaborating with community-led efforts to stimulate local economies, create local jobs, provide residents with skills and career options, improve quality of life, and protect Americans’ health by revitalizing urban waterways in under-served communities across the country. The partnership is preparing to announce expansion to 11 new cities and the addition of two federal agencies, including ED, as well as the progress in the initial seven pilot locations. You can see how schools are already involved here. The new locations will be announced in our Green Strides newsletter in the coming weeks.