When the Wisconsin-based West Allis-West Milwaukee School District first learned about the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges (HGSC) initiative, it was easy to wonder if this was just another idea that sounded good in theory, but would be too costly or take too much time to implement. After some careful research — various emails and utilizing some online resources — it became clear that this approach might be realistic.
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Webinar: EPA Listening Session for Funding to Address Air Pollution at Schools
Mark your calendars: The U.S. EPA is holding a listening session next week to get input on the design of a new grant and technical assistance program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Funding Opportunity: Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Cooperative Agreement Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights announced a new funding opportunity to assist nonprofit organizations working to address environmental or public health issues in their communities.
Funding Opportunity: The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights announced a new funding opportunity to support activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately affected by climate, environmental, and human health harms and risks.
West Allis-West Milwaukee School District on Improving Sustainability with the HGSC Program
West Allis-West Milwaukee School District facilities manager, Steven Eichman shares why addressing air quality is important to him and why he was surprised by the district’s HGSC self-assessment results.
Learning and Connecting at the Green Schools Conference
Join Healthy Green Schools & Colleges at the 12th annual Green Schools Conference (GSC) in New Orleans, February 27 through March 1, 2023 to explore new ways to make green schools a reality and connect with like-minded professionals.
Five Ways the HGSC Self-Assessment will Help Advance Your Institution’s Health and Sustainability Goals
The Healthy Green Schools & Colleges self-assessment is a no-cost tool that lets you measure your facilities’ indoor air quality and sustainability performance against a national standard. Taking the test will identify specific opportunities for improvement and low- or no-cost steps you can take to raise your score in procurement, facility operations, and building systems maintenance. Here are a few additional ways the self-assessment results can be used to improve your facilities.
3 Keys to Training, Sustaining, and Retaining Workers
There is a strong belief in the Salt Lake City School District that when it comes to creating a safe and healthy environment, the most important and sustainable asset is a well-trained, appreciated, and valued group of employees. To accomplish this, the leadership team focuses on three main programs that are designed to result in a happy and sustainable work force: training; collaborative problem-solving; and professional development and employee appreciation.
How to Prepare for the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Self-Assessment
Anyone interested in learning more about or joining the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges program will benefit from taking the HGSC self-assessment. School districts and universities that complete the assessment will receive key information on which HGSC standard criteria their institution already complies with as well as areas in which the institution needs to improve in order to meet certification thresholds.
3 Cost-Effective Ways to Improve School Indoor Air Quality This Winter
The Healthy Green Schools & Colleges standard provides a framework facility managers can take to improve the sustainability and IAQ on their campuses.
