Evaluating the Feasibility of Implementing School Staff Well‐Being Programs
Jimmy Duhamahoro, Angela M. Tuttle Prince, Spyridoula Vazou, Sally S. DuBois, Gregory J. WelkABSTRACT
Background
Staff well‐being is a critical component of school wellness. This study leveraged the statewide School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health (SWITCH) initiative to evaluate the feasibility of implementing supplemental staff well‐being programs.
Method
Elementary schools that participated in two consecutive years of SWITCH (2022/2023 and 2023/2024) were invited to adopt staff‐focused initiatives through three structured programs: Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Make It OK, and 5‐2‐1‐0 Healthy Choices Count! Feasibility was assessed using survey response rates, program ratings, and semi‐structured interviews for demand, acceptability, and integration.
Results
Sixteen schools (88%) expressed interest in Year 1 and eight (38%) in Year 2; six participated across both years. Seventy‐one percent of leaders rated programming quality as high and noted benefits such as increased staff support and attention to well‐being. Only 48% perceived improvements as sustainable, citing the need for ongoing resources and structural support to maintain long‐term implementation.
Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity
Building school capacity, providing continual support, and leveraging existing wellness infrastructure can strengthen adoption of staff well‐being programming.
Conclusion
Integrating staff well‐being initiatives into established school health frameworks is feasible and offers a foundation for broader implementation.