Understanding the Role of the School Liaisons Office
A school liaison in our Lake County Health Department serves as a bridge between the health department and local schools to improve student health and wellness. Their role includes:
❖ Promoting Public Health Initiatives: They bring public health resources, programs, and information into schools. This may include vaccination drives, health screenings, and awareness campaigns on topics like mental health, nutrition, and physical activity.
❖ Supporting Health Education: They help schools incorporate health education into the curriculum, working closely with teachers and staff to deliver age-appropriate information about physical, emotional, and social health.
❖ Facilitating Communication: The liaison acts as a primary contact for schools on health-related issues, ensuring that both the health department and schools are aligned on health policies, guidelines, and responses to health crises, such as flu outbreaks or other communicable diseases.
❖ Coordinating Health Services: They may help coordinate services such as mental health counseling, substance abuse prevention, and crisis intervention in schools, ensuring students have access to necessary support.
❖ Data Collection and Reporting: They track health trends within the school population, report on issues affecting student health, and may assist in identifying health disparities or specific needs within the school community.
❖ Supporting Compliance with Health Policies: They ensure schools meet public health requirements, such as vaccination mandates or health screenings, and help implement and monitor adherence to these standards.
This role is essential for building healthier school environments and supporting the physical and mental well-being of students and staff.
