Building capacity for the continuous improvement of health-promoting schools.
BACKGROUND
There has been much educational verbosity over the past decade related to building capacity for effective schools. However, there seems to be a scarcity of clarification about what is meant by school capacity building or how to accomplish and sustain this process. This article describes the preexisting conditions and ongoing processes in Pueblo, Colorado School District 60 (Pueblo 60) that built capacity for the development and continuous improvement of health-promoting schools.


METHODS
Capacity building strategies and a program-planning model for continuous improvement for health-promoting schools were used that included: (a) visionary/effective leadership and management structures, (b) extensive internal and external supports, (c) development and allocation of adequate resources, (d) supportive policies and procedures, and (e) ongoing, embedded professional development.


RESULTS
Pueblo 60 strategically developed an infrastructure through which they successfully delivered a wide array of health programs and services.


CONCLUSIONS
Through building organizational capacity at the school district and school level, additional school health programming can be developed and sustained.
Hoyle
Tena B
TB
118 Corbett Building, Division of Kinesiology and Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Wyoming, Dept. 3196, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071, USA. thoyle@uwyo.edu
Samek
Beverly B
BB
Valois
Robert F
RF
D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D015279:Organizational Culture; D016134:Organizational Policy; D016730:Program Development; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*