Background

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the state agency with ultimate responsibility for the health of communities and Georgia’s population. At the state level, DPH is divided into several divisions, sections, programs, and offices. At the local level, DPH functions via 18 health districts and 159 county health departments.  The Department of Public Health works to improve the quality of Georgians’ lives by promoting healthy lifestyles, creating environments that support health, and preventing chronic disease, disability, and premature death. 

Physical Activity.  The Georgia Student Health and Physical Education (S.H.A.P.E.) Act was passed in the 2009 Georgia legislative session (O.C. G.A. 20-2-777). Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the law requires each local school district to conduct an annual fitness assessment for all Georgia public school students in grades 1 - 12 enrolled in physical education classes taught by certified physical education teachers.  FITNESSGRAM© was selected as the fitness assessment tool to be used by all Georgia schools.

Nutrition. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) is the most recent iteration of the Child Nutrition Act, which governs federal meal programs including the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Feeding Programs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  The current reauthorization was signed into law on December 12, 2010.  All Georgia schools receiving Title I funding are required to adhere to the requirements of the HHFKA.