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Activities of the OHSC in partnership with other organizations have resulted in key advancements in Ontario:
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  • ‘Healthy Schools’ Committees and activities being implemented in many schools across Ontario;
  • Successful partnerships between school boards, public health units, and other organizations to encourage and support ‘Healthy Schools’ initiatives board-wide;
  • Effective collaboration between the Ministries of Education and Health Promotion that has resulted in:
    • a Healthy Schools Working Table;
    • a Healthy Schools Recognition Program;
    • joint commitment to support implementation of the Foundations For A Healthy School framework that assists schools to become healthier environments.
  • Province-wide school-related policy changes (e.g., Daily Physical Activity, Healthy Foods and Beverages in Elementary School Vending Machines, Community Use of Schools, Healthy Foods for Healthy Schools, etc.);
  • Inclusion in the Ontario Public Health Standards of the phrase “utilize a comprehensive health promotion approach” in public health work with school boards and school staff.
​Vision: Every child and young person in Ontario will be educated in a healthy school.[1]
 
Mission:  In partnership with key stakeholders who are committed to promoting the health and learning of the children and youth of Ontario, the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition( OHSC)  works to:

  • raise awareness of the benefits and need for healthy schools
  • build the knowledge base and capacity for implementation of a healthy schools approach
  • promote inter-ministerial coordination to support healthy schools
  • influence policy development and the provision of adequate public funding for healthy schools
  • provide a forum to share healthy schools initiatives and best practices across health, education and related sectors.
 
Membership: The Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition is an Ontario-wide, broad-based coalition, with members from health units, school boards, hospitals, mental health agencies, universities, health-related organizations, education-related organizations, and parent and student organizations.  Membership is open to all individuals and organizations committed to promoting healthy schools in Ontario. This is an evolving group. We will continue to welcome any interested individuals or organizations who wish to support our vision, mission and values.  The OHSC was formed in December 2000.


[1] A healthy school is one that promotes the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of the whole school community.  It constantly strengthens its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working. See the document “Definition of a Healthy School and a Healthy Schools Approach” for further elaboration of this concept.
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