In a strong show of unity, fifty organizations from across the US co-signed a letter hosted by the Coalition for Healthier Schools urging Congress to fully fund the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s school environmental health programs. The letter—led by Healthy Schools Network with key partners American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Environmental Working Group, Center for Environmental Health, and Maryland Children’s Environmental Health Coalition—calls for a $100 million investment in EPA’s valuable tools and resources to help schools improve indoor environments. The letter was sent to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on July 14, 2025.
The Coalition’s letter was signed by an impressive array of state, national, and local leaders in health, education, and environmental policy. The National PTA, representing millions of families, added its support, as did the National Association of School Nurses, a frontline voice for student health in school districts. The American Academy of Pediatrics also signed on, as well as the U.S. Green Building Council, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the 21st Century School Fund, UndauntedK12, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and many other influential organizations and advocates.
For decades, EPA’s indoor air division, supported by its children’s health office, has delivered high-quality, science-based resources (such as IAQ Tools for Schools) to help schools prevent and address indoor air quality problems—such as poor ventilation, asthma triggers, and improper chemical use. The letter amplifies support for EPA’s school and children’s health programs already requested by thirty House members and twenty Senators who signed similar letters of support in May.
The requested $100 million, a modest investment, would mark a significant federal commitment to schools struggling with aging infrastructure, failing HVAC systems, and poor indoor environmental quality. We’ll continue to provide updates on the progress of the Coalition’s effort to support funding that helps schools improve environmental health for children and staff.
Join Forces with the Coalition for Healthier Schools!
School children are At risk: from old and new facility issues and from new risks such as extreme weather events and dwindling federal resources. The Coalition for Healthier Schools—which HS Network founded 25 years ago and still leads—has adopted a new mission and vision statement reaffirming its commitment to advancing federal leadership on children’s environmental health and ensuring that every school is a safe and healthy place to learn. Since its founding, the Coalition has won changes in federal policy to advance environmental health in schools, including funds to rebuild schools and research on healthy buildings and their effects on learning. It has restored EPA’s funds to address indoor air quality and encouraged schools to adopt green cleaning practices.
Despite these hard-won gains, school environmental health faces strong headwinds. Much more work remains, and budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration threaten to stall—or reverse—progress toward healthier schools.
The Coalition’s new statement emphasizes uniting the voices of advocates, researchers, and practitioners in support of federal action to improve school environments and protect the health of children and staff. At its core is a bold vision: a future in which healthy schools provide nurturing environments in which children learn and thrive. The statement also affirms that every school should have access to tools, training, and resources to ensure clean air, safe drinking water, and hazard-free learning spaces.
There are no dues and no formal membership requirements. Organizations are welcome to participate as their time and mission allow—whether through briefings, campaigns, or simply endorsing the shared values of the Coalition.
Healthy Schools Network will continue coordinating Coalition activities in close consultation with a steering group that will help guide priorities, identify opportunities for collective advocacy, and shape responses to emerging issues.
Please join us! We invite organizations aligned with the Coalition to participate in Coalition activities. Together, we can advance policies to ensure that every child in America has a healthy place to learn and grow.
Click HERE to sign up for Coalition updates.
Other News
Extreme Heat Threatens Learning Conditions in Urban Schools
A new Climate Central analysis highlights the growing risks of extreme heat in US urban schools, where aging infrastructure and limited green space leave students vulnerable. The report shows that schools in over 240 urban areas face rising heat exposure, with students in underserved communities hit hardest. As climate change accelerates, heat-resilient upgrades—from shade trees to modern cooling systems—are becoming critical for student health and academic performance.
Read the full article.
Coming events from our friends and partners
Meeting
SOPHE (Society for Public Health Education) Advocacy Summit: Finding Pathways to a Healthier Nation
When: October 18-20, 2025
Where: Washington, DC
Register here––early bird rates through July 18
SOPHE’s summit is for seasoned and new advocates, who will share advocacy training, materials, and resources. Tracks include policy development, the public health crisis, community-driven advocacy, and public health messaging.
Webinar
EPA: Breathing Easier: Protecting Children With Asthma From Wildfire Smoke
When: August 13, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Register here
Speakers will include winners of EPA’s National Environmental Leadership Award in Asthma Management and recipients of grants for wildfire smoke preparedness. They’ll cover best practices, strategies to engage communities, and innovative ways to integrate wildfire smoke preparedness into efforts to control asthma, protect children’s respiratory health during wildfire smoke events, and improve asthma health outcomes. And don’t forget EPA’s factsheet Preparing for Wildfire Season, which outlines steps to protect indoor air from wildfire smoke.
