INCREASE SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

WHEREAS, the increasing pressures on children and families as a consequence of the increases in poverty, as well as the continuing loss of public health and social services, contribute greatly to difficulty with academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, with the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and other unpredictable disasters such as earthquakes, etc. lead to a loss of jobs, income and resulting homelessness, which adversely affect our students, necessitating support for those students by classroom teachers above and beyond the support usually needed:

RESOLVED, that the AFT support increased school health, social services and mental health services based on need, as established by Census data and accepted estimates of need as seen in the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on the Health of the Nation’s Children.