School Health and Safety Program
Walla Walla County Department of Community Health is excited to announce that recent Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) funding has enabled the creation of an Environmental School Health & Safety Program for school facilities located in Walla Walla County.
Environmental health in schools is important for students’ academic success and overall well-being. WWCDCH is committed to creating and preserving safe learning environments for students in all public, private, and parochial K-12 schools within Walla Walla County. The Environmental Health Office works with schools and school districts to provide them with the opportunity and resources to have access to routine environmental health and safety inspections by a qualified Environmental Health Specialist per 246-366 WAC. This program will come at zero cost to school districts and promote the safety and wellness in students through disease and injury prevention.
Implementation will occur in a tiered process beginning with high-risk areas in the school environment. Beginning in 2024, WWCDCH will be conducting routine inspections on primary school playgrounds. In the 2025-2026 school year, the area focus will be science and laboratories. In 2026-2027, we will begin the three-year routine inspection cycle completing review of entire schools..png)
Contact:
For any questions regarding the School Health and Safety Program, please contact contactusschoolsafety@co.walla-walla.wa.us. To submit a complaint, please click here.
- Indoor Air Quality | Washington State Department of Health
- Healthy Air Quality in Schools | Washington State Department of Health
- Framework for Effective School IAQ Management | US EPA
- Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit | US EPA
- Ventilation in Schools and ChildCare Programs (cdc.gov)
- Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality
- Wildfire Smoke Guidance for Canceling Outdoor Events or Activities and Closing Schools (wa.gov)
- Wildfire Smoke - Partner Toolkit | Washington State Department of Health
WAC 246-366
Pending (effective August 1, 2024): WAC 246-366A
The purpose of this chapter is to replace chapter 246-366 WAC with a more modern set of minimum environmental health and safety standards for school facilities to promote healthy and safe school environments.