Description
Public health evidence shows that the school environment can influence the physical health, cognitive function, mental well-being, and academic performance of students. These harmful impacts are often unfairly distributed across racial/ethnic groups and socio-economic status, with non-White students and those from low-income families bearing the burden. To improve the climate resilience of K–12 schools, King County will explore developing a local grant fund to assist overburdened schools with climate-related facility improvements. The County will research and prepare a fund development plan based on other models. If funding is secured, King County will administer the grants along with technical assistance. Additionally, the County will explore avenues and partnerships to increase climate health literacy among school educators, staff, and students, and student learning opportunities about green jobs. This action expands upon the current King County’s Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy’s Cool Schools Initiative.