TRENTON, March 26, 1999-A survey released today identified several hundred programs in which New Jersey public schools were able to provide health programs for students by establishing links with local hospitals or healthcare agencies.

The survey, "Getting Children Ready to Learn: School, Healthcare and Community Partnerships," is the first effort to document the growing number of alliances between schools and healthcare organizations in the Garden State. The New Jersey School Boards Association and the New Jersey Hospital Association collaborated on the project.

"It's common sense: A child who doesn't feel well can't learn well," said Charles V. Reilly, NJSBA president. "Many school leaders find they can raise the standard of health for their children by working with the experts in their own community. This publication will be a useful resource for communities that want to begin or expand a school-hospital partnership."

NJSBA polled school districts throughout the state, and found more than 570 health programs being offered by some 200 school districts. At the same time, the New Jersey Hospital Association polled its members and received an additional 330 responses.

"What was surprising was the breadth of the programs," Reilly said. "They not only included education on nutrition and drugs, but also addressed eating disorders, signs of depression, parenting, and crisis intervention.

"Through partnerships like these, school districts can often deliver the program at no cost to the taxpayer," Reilly added.

Although the survey lists approximately 900 collaborative programs statewide, others may not be listed because not every school district and hospital responded, according to Reilly. In addition, the survey does not include health programs operated by school district staff.

One of Reilly's goals as NJSBA president is to promote school/healthcare alliances, particularly to help young children.

"There is no question that a child's early years, from birth until kindergarten, are a very critical period of time," he said. "It is essential that districts help during these developing years. If schools, along with health care providers and other members of the community, focus on helping children, the benefits for our schools and society will be very rewarding."

Note to editors and reporters: For a copy of the report or for a list of collaborative programs taking place in your community's schools, call NJSBA's Public Information Office at (609) 278-5202.

The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of more than 600 local boards of education. Established more than 80 years ago, NJSBA represents the education and related health and safety interests of New Jersey's 1.2 million public school students and advocates the positions of the state's local school districts. The Association also provides inservice training and technical assistance to the state's 4,800 local board of education members. School board members, who serve without compensation, are the largest group of elected and appointed public officials in the state.