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The newsletter that takes a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach. The Friday Beat is a free publication of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). It is edited and compiled by the School Health Program.
Happy New Year from the School Health Program (SHP)! We hope everyone had a great winter break and a happy new year! Our team is looking forward to continuing our efforts to support the health and well-being of Texas students.
Application Deadline Extended: Members Sought for Texas School Health Advisory Committee
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is accepting applications for membership on the Texas School Health Advisory Committee. The Texas School Health Advisory Committee (TSHAC) advises DSHS in its support for and delivery of coordinated school health programs and school health services.
The following positions are open:
- Representative from an organization or agency involved with the health of school children (3 vacancies)
- Medical professional (practicing physician, practicing physician assistant, or practicing nurse practitioner) that provides health services to school-age children (1 vacancy)
- Person working in a school as a certified health educator (1 vacancy)
Interested applicants should visit the TSHAC webpage to complete the application and upload supporting materials (e.g. resumé, recommendation letters) online.
DSHS must receive your application before 11:59 p.m., March 31, 2026. DSHS will notify applicants if they have been selected to serve as a member by July 2026. For more information, visit the TSHAC webpage, contact the School Health Program at SchoolHealth@dshs.texas.gov or call 512-776-7279.
National Nutrition Month
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is celebrating National Nutrition Month in March. This month you can learn how to make better food choices and develop healthy eating and physical activity habits. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics webpage for tips on how to get involved at home, school, work, or local grocery stores during National Nutrition Month.
Texas School Safety Teen Ambassadors
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is looking for young people that are dedicated to making their school and community safer and healthier. The Texas School Safety Teen Ambassadors represent the voice of youth and engage their peers in school safety initiatives. They educate other students about campus safety, mental health, violence prevention, and substance use to help create safe and healthy schools. Applications for the 2026-2027 Texas School Safety Teen Ambassadors are now open and due by July 10.
On-Demand Unlicensed Diabetes Care Assistants (UDCA) Training
Region 4 Education Service Center is offering on-demand training for Unlicensed Diabetes Care Assistants (UDCAs). This self-paced course takes 3 to 4-hours and uses the American Diabetes Association’s “Safe at School?” materials. It teaches non-medical staff the basics of glucose monitoring, insulin administration, and emergency response. Completion of this program ensures that campuses have a trained team capable of providing essential care to students with diabetes when a school nurse is not immediately available.
School Health Profiles Survey Incentive
The Texas School Health Profiles Survey is done every two years and helps create programs for Texas students. The survey results influence state funding, professional development opportunities, and school health policies. If your school is one of the 515 selected to participate and you have questions about the survey, please contact Olga Mikheeva, at olga.mikheeva@dshs.texas.gov or 903-288-7475.
Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition
The National Institutes of Health’s Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition (We Can!) is a resource schools can use to engage their communities to help children maintain a healthy weight. By focusing on healthy eating, staying active, and reducing screen time, parents, educators, and entire communities can make a difference. Access the We Can! resources to learn more about this educational program.
Pathway from Nutrition ECHO Series
Texas A&M Health Telehealth Institute’s Project ECHO is offering the Pathway From Nutrition ECHO series this Spring! The 3-session series is free professional development for school counselors and administrators in rural Texas school districts. The series will be held online on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. One free continuing education credit will be offered for each session. The series schedule is below.
- May 7: Nutrition: The Human Health Science
- May 14: Nutrition to Health Care
- May 21: Nourishing Your Future: Unique Careers in Nutrition
New Qualtrics Reporting System for DSHS Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Program
The DSHS Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening (VHSS) Program is hosting upcoming training opportunities on the new Qualtrics reporting system for this year’s annual screening report. The list of virtual training workshops based on facility type (public schools, private schools, and childcare facilities) can be found on the Eventbrite webpage. If you run into any issues registering for a workshop, please reach out to VhssProgram@dshs.texas.gov
April’s Million Mile Month: School District Wellness Challenge
The Texas Association of School Business Officials, Texas Association of School Administrators, and Texas Association of School Boards invite school districts to join the 13th Annual Million Mile Month this April. This free virtual wellness activity challenges school districts to complete one million miles of physical activity together. This challenge is open to all schools in Texas, the U.S., and around the world. Register today!
Balancing Food & Play
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Family and Community Health program helps kids in grades 3-5 develop healthy habits. This program focuses on nutrition, physical activity, and getting families involved. It includes four newsletters and recipe cards that kids can take home to share with their families, encouraging engagement outside of school. For more information, visit their curriculum website to learn more.
Become a Friday Beat subscriber by signing up on the Friday Beat webpage!
The articles and hyperlinks to external websites appearing in Friday Beat are intended to be informational and do not represent an endorsement by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Other websites may not be accessible to people with disabilities. External email addresses may also be provided as a courtesy. If you choose to correspond, please be advised that DSHS policies may not apply. For information about any of the programs listed, contact the sponsoring organization directly. For comments or questions about Friday Beat, email the School Health Program at schoolhealth@dshs.texas.gov or call (512) 776-7279.
Public Domain. Permission granted to forward or make copies as needed.
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