Professional Development, Technical Assistance and other Services Offered by Center for Health and Learning

The Center for Health and Learning (CHL) offers professional development for educators and other professionals who work with youth and adult
learners.  We collaborate with state agencies, private foundations, private businesses and school systems to: provide training and technical assistance; establish, manage and evaluate projects; and cultivate resources that address priority health issues. We offer training in standards and skills-based health education and research-based curricula

We have worked with early education health and prevention services, school-basedh health education, community-based substance abuse prevention, pedestrian and bicycle safety and the Strategic Prevention Framework.  We have helped schools and community organizations develop models for Coordinated School Health Programs. We have implemented an HIV positive speakers program, harassment prevention trainings and support systems for healthcare providers and senior citizens.  Our educational and professional development opportunities encourage health-enhancing practices, knowledge and attitudes across the life span.

Other services available through CHL include event coordination, writing and research and trainings in health related topics.  Please see detailed descriptions of our services below, and be sure to look at the comprehensive health programs we deliver to schools and communities.  If you would like to inquire how Center for Health and Learning could help your school or organization, please contact us via email (info@healthandlearning.org) or by phone (802) 254-6590.

Capacity-Building and Sustainability

CHL is experienced in assisting schools, agencies and organizations with increasing their capacity to carry out practices and programs that are sustainable.  Our staff is available to evaluate your site’s needs, design programs that meet those needs and undertake program implementation.  Whether you are designing a new program or seeking to build an existing program’s capacity, we are prepared to build your staff’s skills in collecting, sharing and using data that will inform and improve your practices.  We are equipped to give support and mentoring on-site to groups or to individuals. 

One of our specialties is conducting analyses to discover gaps in health-related curricula.  CHL develops and manages cadres of trainers who have expertise in health issues.  Our trainers deliver trainings in published health education curricula. To increase the long-term impact of our trainings, we also train educators on how to integrate curricula and other innovations into their classrooms.  Some of our trainings and professional development events offer graduate credits that help educators achieve re-licensure.

Trainings in Published Curricula

We deliver training in published health education curricula including comprehensive health education and curricula with a specific content focus.  All curricula that we provide training and technical assistance for meet research criteria for identifying effective programs according the U.S. Department of Education and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  Click here to see our list of published health education curricula that we offer trainings in.  Click here to look at our upcoming regional trainings.

Trainings in Health-Related Topics and Skills

Center for Health and Learning supplies customizable “training on demand” services for schools, agencies, community groups or others who need training in health related topics and skills.  Examples of topics that we have provided trainings for in the past include:

• Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD), including VT Act 51
• Media Literacy for Health
• Disease Prevention (Including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections)
• Injury and Violence Prevention:  Reducing Bullying and Harassment
• Nutrition Education & Programming:  Policy Development and Design of Healthy Snack Programs
• Cultural Competency
• Addressing Bullying and Harassment in Schools
• Crisis Prevention and Management Project (CPM)
• HEALS (The Hospice Expressing Arts Loss Support Program

To make an inquiry about our custom-designed trainings and services, please click here.  To see upcoming trainings offered by Center for Health and Learning, click here.

Health Education Standards, Curriculum & Assessment

Improving Health Education Teaching and Learning

Center for Health and Learning works to assist teachers in the development of curriculum, instruction and assessment that promotes knowledge and skills in health education that are in alignment with national and state standards. To view the National Health Education Standards click here.

Vermont teachers can access the Vermont Department of Education’s Guidelines for Health Education Curriculum and Assessment.  These guidelines are based upon both the National Health Education Standards (NHES) and Vermont’s Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities, authored by the Vermont Department of Education. 

Center for Health and Learning (CHL) is prepared to train educators in the methods and materials of skills-based instruction, including performance-based assessment methods and tools.  CHL can modify existing curricula or develop local, original curricula for schools and school districts that align with state and national standards for curricula and assessment.  Another service that CHL offers is to integrate health education curricula with other academic areas.

Please contact us for examples of how CHL develops health education curricula for local school districts that meet state and national guidelines.

Performance-Based Assessment for Health Education

Center for Health and Learning offers trainings and technical assistance for schools and health educators who want to pursue performance-based assessment to evaluate students’ achievements in learning about health.  Performance-based assessment moves away from more fact-based methods for assessing students, such as multiple-choice.  Emphasis shifts from fact retention to building skills among students.  Assessment tools for measuring skills include eliciting both abbreviated and lengthier written responses from students, and asking students to develop projects or products that directly relate their newly acquired skills to their lives and interests.  When students engage in constructing their own responses they are more likely to develop usable knowledge and skills.  Performance-based assessment is a relevant and realistic application of students’ knowledge, skills and awareness about health.

Writing and Research

Center for Health and Learning takes on contracts that demand high-quality writing and research in health topics.  Examples of our work include newsletters, web sites, reports and research documents. 

Assemblies and Motivational Programs

Center for Health and Learning serves as a referral source for qualified presenters for various health and educational topics.  Contact us to inquire about an upcoming event at your school, agency or conference.