Strengthening school-health partnerships across the country – Children’s National

Red Cross collaboration accelerates efforts to create healthy school environments across the country. In February 2026, Cara Biddle, MD, MPH, Daniel Dooley, MD, MPhil, Torin Crappy and other National Children’s Hospital Association and school leaders visited the Boeing Center for Child Wellness (BCCW) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). During the visit, they learned about BCCW’s evidence-based approach to building sustainable, health-promoting schools. Innovation promotes well-being in curriculum, policies, food services, physical and social environment, and community partnerships. Presented on the Children’s National School Friendly Health Systems Framework and efforts to reduce school absenteeism, activate school-based health centers and collaborate through IMPACT DC to improve asthma control and keep children in school.

How does this move the field forward?

Since more than 90% of children spend most of their day in school settings, it is important for children’s hospitals to partner with schools. MUSC’s BCCW School-Based Health Initiative helps schools create healthy physical, social and emotional environments that support learning. Research shows that a health-promoting school environment is associated with better grades, better attendance and a lower risk of chronic disease.

“At our Goldberg Primary Care Centers in Washington, DC, we care for nearly 50% of all children in DC. These are the same children that our colleagues in DC schools teach and interact with every day. It is important that we keep schools at the forefront of our partnerships and this site strengthens our school partnerships to create and share collaborations.” MD, MPH, Interim Senior Vice President, Division of Community Health and Pediatrics at Children’s National.

“At Children’s National, we are committed to helping families thrive in their communities. Partnering with schools is an essential part of this work. A site visit with another health system is valuable to exchange ideas and increase the level of innovation in school partnerships,” said Toren Crappy, National Director of Safe Kids and Safe Kids Worldwide.

What have you found that inspires you?

For more than 15 years, the MUSC BCCW School-Based Health Initiative has demonstrated improvements in school absenteeism, high school graduation rates, and BMI percentiles of students at participating schools. The site visit included tours of two high-performing schools in Charleston, CE Williams North Middle School and Stono Park Elementary School, which recently received MUSC BCCW Excellence in Health Awards for creating a healthy learning environment. Participating schools were evaluated using a health checklist and those that met the criteria received a monetary award to continue and expand their efforts.

The site visit was sponsored by The Boeing Company, which has supported community-based work at both Children’s National and MUSC. This support will develop, expand and leverage Children’s National School-Friendly Health Systems Education Collaborative to disseminate the MUSC BCCW school-based health initiative to children’s hospitals across the country through the National Children’s Collaborative. MUSC’s BCCW model provides direct support to more than 20 school districts and 316 schools in South Carolina and Pennsylvania and implements global health strategies that target good nutrition, increase physical activity and promote social-emotional health for students and staff.

“This grant helps the next generation of leaders and innovators. This initiative helps kids be happier and healthier in school and in life,” said Jessica Williford, director of state advocacy and global engagement at Boeing South Carolina.

Children’s National Institute is leading the development of the School-Friendly Health Systems Guiding Principles and Roadmap for Measuring the Framework in partnership with 15 other children’s hospitals and partners. Being school-friendly means that hospitals and health systems are committed to actively helping children achieve optimal health and reach their full academic potential.

Children’s National will host virtual SFHS webinars beginning in March 2026 and a private school health symposium on June 9, sponsored by The Boeing Company. For more information about SFHS Learning Partnerships, contact School Partnerships@childrensnational.org.