Community–Academic Partnerships: A Report on the COVID Support Our Schools (SOS) Initiative

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic disrupted the delivery of education in our school systems and exacerbated pre-existing health and educational disparities. School administrators and staff from underserved communities struggled with continuously changing medical guidance, ensuring equitable education by virtual platforms, and re-opening schools safely. The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) partnered with statewide resource-limited school districts to create the COVID Support Our Schools (SOS) initiative. This consisted of a physician advisory board, medical student task forces, and community leaders. Numerous sessions were hosted by the COVID SOS team to answer questions, address community needs, and carry out initiatives to meet identified needs. Surveys, including Likert scale questions and open-ended feedback, were administered to all participating school districts. In total, 100% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the COVID SOS program was dedicated to community needs and provided timely support with necessary resources. Open-ended feedback described that the K-12 school districts valued our partnership as well as found the opportunity to engage with other districts informative and rewarding. The partnership between our academic medical institution and community school districts is mutually beneficial, providing an opportunity for medical student service learning as well as imparting medical expertise in times of need.

Kids in crisis: The whole health learning solution

“…12 The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, through its community-centered Human Dimension curriculum, partnered faculty and medical students with New Jersey schools to support K-12 health and wellbeing efforts during the height of the COVID pandemic. 13 The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) partnered with the non-profit Big Picture Learning , already serving adolescents in schools, to develop the Big Picture Living program based on its “Six Lifestyle Elements” to help schools educate teens about health promoting behaviors. 14 The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) developed the collaborative Consortium of Emotional Wellbeing Networks and in spring 2023 provided grants for its program, “Fostering Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health Among Children in School Settings: Opportunities for Complementary and Integrative Health.” 15 The Institute for Natural Medicine collaborated with youth service organizations in local at-risk communities to promote health promotion behaviors via the Naturally Well Program.…”

“…The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, through its community-centered Human Dimension curriculum, partnered faculty and medical students with New Jersey schools to support K-12 health and wellbeing efforts during the height of the COVID pandemic. 13 …”