Cross-sector Partnerships

Supporting greater integration across the silos that address student health and well-being requires states and localities to convene diverse stakeholders around a single table. Getting horizontal buy-in across sectors, as well as vertical buy-in at the local, regional and state levels, is critical to sustained progress. To be most effective, these multi-disciplinary partnerships must develop shared visions and policy goals and establish new communication channels or state-level infrastructure to support collaboration–such as children’s issues cabinets, working groups, or cross-agency staff positions. Public health agencies can be valuable partners in these cross-agency efforts, bringing expertise in assessing student health needs and in convening multi-disciplinary teams.