Schools are essential for children's access to health services, and Medicaid plays a key role. However, the 2025 federal reconciliation law puts the school Medicaid program at risk. In a new Views from the Field article, Jessie Mandle of @healthyschoolscampaign.org outlines the risks of these cuts:

The #MWRD joined the Space to Grow doubleheader on Friday, Nov. 7, for new schoolyard ribbon-cutting ceremonies at two #Chicago schools with our partners at Openlands, Chicago Department of Water Management, @HealthySchoolsCampaign.org, @ChicagoPubSchools.bsky.social, & @Chicagodoe.bsky.social.

We’re obsessulated with green, as Glinda would say—green infrastructure that is! And in just a clock tick, Space to Grow™ partners complete five CPS schoolyards across #Chicago. 🩷💚 mwrd.org/news/space-g... @healthyschoolscampaign.org @chipubschools.bsky.social @chicagodoe.bsky.social

Our new brief highlights how Medicaid cuts could affect the provision of school-based substance use services and reverse progress on substance use prevention and community resilience. Learn more about opportunities to mitigate the harm to states + schools: healthyschoolscampaign.org/dev/wp-conte...

Last month Dr. White-Newsome highlighted the impact of cuts to crucial safety net programs on already overburdened and underinvested communities. “Our children cannot afford for us to stand by silently,” she insists. Take action for healthy schools today: healthyschoolscampaign.org/cfg-take-act...

ICYMI: Watch the Change for Good recording and take action! Hear from national leaders on the importance of taking action now to support children, families and public schools. Listen to the recording to learn what YOU can do and take action now. healthyschoolscampaign.org/dev/wp-conte...

Did you miss our Change for Good forum? No worries - the recording is now available! Take a moment to listen to the powerful words of featured keynote speaker, Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, who reminds us of our ABC's and the important work to support the whole child: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbUW...

educators often send suspicions of student exposure to illicit substances to child protective services engaging families is effective prevention (whether or not you discuss drugs) learn more in a #MandatedSupport research & action brief w/ @healthyschoolscampaign.org www.aft.org/sites/defaul...

Healthy Schools Campaign is doubling down on our mission of making schools healthier places for all students. Join our Change for Good virtual event TODAY to get involved & learn what is at stake for children, public schools and communities. Register 👉 healthyschoolscampaign.org/events/chang...

It’s not too late to register for our virtual Change for Good forum! Join us tomorrow to hear how cuts to safety net programs will impact children in every community across our country and learn what you can do to support students and schools: healthyschoolscampaign.org/events/chang...

Panel Spotlight! Join HSC's #ChangeForGood forum this Wednesday as we host a dialogue with leaders in school food, school health services and SEL. Register now to listen in on a dynamic conversation with featured panelists Tarrah DeClemente & Ron Tanimura. healthyschoolscampaign.org/events/chang...

📣 ICYMI: Greening Underserved Schools while Preventing Floods in #Chicago 📰 ➡️ mwrd.org/news/greening-underserved-schools-while-preventing-floods-chicago-chase-canada #MWRD #SpaceToGrow #GreenInfrastructure @healthyschoolscampaign.org @chipubschools.bsky.social

HSC is pleased to announce that Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome will be a featured speaker at our virtual Change for Good forum! Join us to hear about the impact of new federal policies on communities, environmental justice work + climate resilience efforts. healthyschoolscampaign.org/events/chang...

We’re one week away from Change for Good! Don’t miss your chance to hear from leaders in climate resilience, school food and school health at next week’s virtual forum. Reserve your spot today! healthyschoolscampaign.org/events/chang...

Want to hear from leaders in climate resilience, school food + school health how federal policy will impact students, public schools and communities? Join Healthy Schools Campaign on Wednesday, September 17 at 11am CT for our virtual Change for Good forum! healthyschoolscampaign.org/events/chang...

The massive budget bill OBBBA includes significant changes to Medicaid policy that will negatively affect student, family and school health. HSC's new blog takes a look at how Medicaid cuts will impact schools and ways for states to help mitigate harm. healthyschoolscampaign.org/blog/impact-...

Back to school season is here in Chicago, but we’re still celebrating summer harvests from the school gardens we support through our Parents United for Healthy Schools program with partners! Parent garden teams grew and gathered an incredible variety of produce. 🥬🌱🥒💜

We love seeing Space to Grow schoolyards in the spotlight!🌱 Grissom’s story highlights the school leaders who bring the space to life. Special thanks to all our STG partners for making this amazing program possible. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/12/c...

With Medicaid cuts expected to reach nearly $1 trillion over the next decade, schools will have less funding and fewer resources to address a significant public health issue: chronic absenteeism. Check out our new blog to learn more: healthyschoolscampaign.org/blog/medicai...

From gray to green: Across Chicago, a @healthyschoolscampaign.org program has transformed dozens of concrete schoolyards into community hubs and flooding solutions. For @chicagotribune.com:

Parents helped bring recess back to CPS and sparked Space to Grow, Chicago’s green schoolyards program. Their leadership continues through healthy food advocacy and garden care. Loved seeing @WGNTV feature this work! 🥬👩🏽‍🍳❤️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC6F...

Medicaid is the fourth-largest federal funding source for K-12 schools. It's more than just health insurance - it's a lifeline. "When Medicaid funding disappears from schools, it doesn’t just affect individual students; it weakens the foundation of entire communities." www.forbes.com/sites/lindad...

This week’s storms show why we need green infrastructure that absorbs water and protects neighborhoods. Our CEO + President Jennifer Tani joined @abc7chicago.bsky.social to share how Space to Grow is transforming schoolyards to advance climate resilience: abc7chicago.com/post/chicago...

It's not too late: your congressional representatives urgently need to hear your concerns about the impact Medicaid cuts would have on students and schools. Contact them right now - via email or phone - using our advocacy toolkit. It takes just 2 minutes! healthyschoolscampaign.org/dev/wp-conte...

Here's some great news this week: New data shows that participating Illinois school districts received an additional $23.4 million in federal funding in the second year of expanded Medicaid billing for school health services! Learn more: healthyschoolscampaign.org/blog/illinoi...

What happens when a school community helps redesign their own schoolyard? @blockclubchi.bsky.social highlighted how the new green space at Spencer Technology Academy is mitigating flooding, supporting outdoor learning and uplifting the voices of the Austin: blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/04/a...

A beautiful day at Spencer ES in Austin celebrating their new green schoolyard! Designed with student + community voices at the center, this space can capture 190,872 gal of stormwater—reducing flooding + protecting neighborhoods. Thanks to all our Space to Grow partners for making this happen!

Congress is considering sweeping cuts to Medicaid that would cause millions to lose health care and reduce student health services in schools. Take action now! Tell your senators to reject Medicaid cuts and protect this vital program for children, schools and communities: bit.ly/Reject-Medic...

A strong school Medicaid program depends on a strong federal Medicaid program. Register to join us TODAY, at 2pm ET, to learn how health and education advocates can work together to defend Medicaid from harmful cuts: bit.ly/Medicaid-Adv... #SchoolMedicaidMatters #MedicaidMatters

Doctors, teachers, and an overwhelming bipartisan majority of Illinoisans agree: Hungry kids can’t learn. Let’s fund Healthy School Meals for All! Read more in this recent news release: conta.cc/3F2Y8Et #HungryKidsCan’tWait #SchoolMeals4All

Big news! @chipubschools.bsky.social is the first school district in the country to earn Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Gold Certification. www.lawndalenews.com/2025/05/cps-... #Sustainability #GreenSchools #CPS #HGSC #CPSProud

We are proud to partner with @healthyschoolscampaign.org, Openlands, @chipubschools.bsky.social, Dept. of Water Management, & @mwrdgc.bsky.social on Space to Grow, a program making schoolyards beautiful & climate-resilient. Check out photos from Monday's ribbon-cutting at Brown Community Academy!

HSC & partners proudly celebrated the opening of the 35th Space to Grow schoolyard at Brown Community Academy! ICYMI: Our CEO Jennifer Tani joined Openlands’ Jessica Fong on CBS Chicago to highlight how the site supports health, learning + flood resilience: www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...

We’re celebrating a major achievement at CPS! 🏆Our district earned Gold Certification under the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Standard, reflecting our deep commitment to creating healthier, greener schools for all: www.healthygreenschools.org/2025/05/cps-... #GreenSchools #CPS #HGSC #CPSProud

Big news! Chicago Public Schools is the first school district in the country to earn Gold Certification from the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges program. Learn how we reached this major milestone: www.healthygreenschools.org/2025/05/cps-... #Sustainability #GreenSchools #CPS #HGSC #CPSProud

As Congress negotiates a major tax bill, massive cuts to programs that support children, families and schools are on the table. Take action to protect Medicaid, SNAP and the future of public schools. The health of millions of children is at risk! healthyschoolscampaign.org/blog/raising...

This @healthyschoolscampaign.org report documents the impact its Space to Grow program has had on Chicago schools, neighborhoods & the environment. From transforming schoolyards into vibrant spaces that foster learning to helping mitigate flooding, Space to Grow has created lasting benefits.

Thanks to Sasha-Ann Simons for having us on @wbez.org’s Reset with Karen Weigert! 🌱 We're proud to share how Space to Grow green schoolyards are advancing health, equity & climate resilience in Chicago. Listen to the recording here: www.wbez.org/reset-with-s...

Happy Earth Day! We're celebrating 10 years of transforming Chicago schoolyards with the Space to Grow program. Over the past decade, we've reimagined 36 schoolyards, creating multifunctional spaces that serve both students and communities.

Green schoolyards mitigate flooding & support learning, play and community! Join Healthy Schools Campaign & Openlands during #ChicagoWaterWeek, presented by @currentwater.bsky.social, for a tour of Wadsworth Elementary’s Space to Grow schoolyard on Sunday 5/4 at 2 PM. Register today: lu.ma/81gapgnp

A new survey shows that school health officials expect Medicaid funding cuts to negatively impact student health care. Learn more about why #MedicaidMatters to students accessing school-based health care: bit.ly/4cgbmK6

Education groups push back against feared cuts to school-based medicaid www.the74million.org/article/educ...

Our newest #PEPTalk episode deep dives the @healthyschoolscampaign.org report on Medicaid cuts and how these cuts will significantly affect schools and students, with National Program Director Jessie Mandle! Give it a listen: www.aasa.org/resources/re...

"The survey respondents emphasize what is already clear — the proposed drastic reductions to the federal Medicaid program will harm students and impede them on their road to success." Learn more about the new survey findings we released last week: www.the74million.org/article/new-...

How improving air quality in schools would minimize the threat of bird flu spread https://www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/21/bird-flu-improve-air-quality-schools-nursing-homes/

New data from school district leaders across the U.S. makes it clear: Cutting Medicaid is equivalent to cutting school district budgets. Read why protecting Medicaid is crucial for students & schools in HSC's new report: bit.ly/school-medicaid-cuts

Join AFT on next Tuesday for "Mandated Support: New Strategies for Compassionate Support in Schools" to learn more about mandated support, including evidence-based strategies to address child maltreatment that elevate compassion, effective prevention and well-being. Register today! bit.ly/439BCmR

Check out these handy links to register, navigate, and get the information you need about the Virtual Conference. 💡Mar 25 Webinars: bit.ly/41z7no4 💡Mar 26 Webinars: bit.ly/3DazMYo 💡Mar 27 Webinars: bit.ly/4hUqj6C 💡List of webinars: bit.ly/3Qxazue 💡Oura Health Rings sharemylesson.com/win-oura-ring

We're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)! What does IDEA mean for students? ✅ Individualized learning plans ✅ Early intervention ✅ Inclusive classrooms ✅ Protections & advocacy ✅ Pathways to independence #IDEA50 #ProtectOurKids

ICYMI: AASA was pleased to contribute to a report published this month by the Healthy Schools Campaign examining how proposed cuts to Medicaid as part of the budget reconciliation process underway in Congress would impact school-based Medicaid programs. www.aasa.org/resources/re...