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Scoliosis Health Advocate Program

Scoliosis Awareness Volunteer for Scolio Dance Initiative

Hello!

We are so excited to get you started on the Scolio Dance Initiative! You can start spreading scoliosis awareness today!

It’s very simple. You can do ONE or ALL of the following to earn volunteer service hours.

1) Scoliosis Awareness Flyer Outreach (5 hours each flyer - Max 30 hours)

Students can distribute and display Scoliosis Awareness Flyers in schools and dance studios. These flyers educate students and families about scoliosis and the importance of early detection. All locations must be approved by a school principal, counselor, or studio owner before posting any flyers.

2) Public Health Awareness Campaign (1 hour each post - Max 6 hours)

Students can post on social media accounts Scoliosis Awareness Flyers and tag @scolio.dance.initiative and @luskinoic . These flyers educate students and families about scoliosis and the importance of early detection. All posts must be screenshot and uploaded for verification purposes.

3) Health Policy Advocacy (2 hours)

Students can send a letter to the their state's governor in support of Scoliosis Awareness Month (SAM) using an email template that can be found on Scoliosis Research Society's (SRS.org) website ( https://www.srs.org/Patients/Events/Scoliosis-Awareness-Month/Social-Media-Tools Template Letter to Governor on bottom of the webpage) . SRS is a nonprofit organization with many objectives, one being to have every state, district and commonwealth to officially declare by proclamation their observance of National Scoliosis Awareness month during the month of June. All letters to the governor must be screenshot and uploaded for verification purposes.

1 hour for research of your state's scoliosis awareness and screening in schools mandates/suspensions
1 hour for letter writing and sending email to the governor

Why are we targeting schools?

In the 1970s and 1980s, many U.S. states enacted laws requiring scoliosis screening programs in schools to help identify students who might need medical evaluation. However, today these screenings do not always occur consistently. In some areas, school screenings may be suspended or reduced depending on funding, staffing, or district priorities in a given year. Because of this, awareness is more important than ever.

Why is there a focus on dancers?

Joy Card Project co-founder was diagnosed with scoliosis in 2022 and is a competitive dancer. Through her deep dive on the topic scoliosis, she discovered that research suggests a significantly higher rate of dancers have scoliosis than the general population. She decided to take action and spread scoliosis awareness to encourage early detetction.

Instructions:

_________________________

STEP 1- Register to Volunteer

Complete the google form to get started! (INSERT LINK HERE) or (for google form link thank you message - CONGRATS- You just did this step! You’re ready to spread scoliosis awareness!

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STEP 2- Follow @scolio.dance.initiative on Instagram - Optional

Follow us on Instagram @scolio.dance.initiative for updates and posts about our volunteers and the wonderful work they are doing.

(Insert link)

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STEP 3- Contact the School or Dance Studio

Email the school administrator or studio director requesting to spread scoliosis awareness using the email template below.
Follow-up by calling, emailing, and/or making an appointment to speak to the administrator/studio owner.

Other locations are acceptable also. Please use your discretion. (ex. gymnastics studio, Boys and Girls Club, etc)

*See bottom of this page for EMAIL TEMPLATES for school principals and studio directors.

*Once approved by administrator or director, take a screenshot of the email from the administrator or studio owner giving you permission to post the flyer or to distribute the digital flyer. You will need to upload this screeshot.

_________________________

Click here for Scoliosis Awareness Flyer Printouts: (Insert Link)

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STEP 4- Upload Photos and/or Screenshots

Upload photos of:

Yourself with the flyers, the flyers posted at the school/studio, and/or the digital flyer attached to the school/studio/parent newsletter to the One Drive Folder "ScolioDanceInitiative Volunteer Photo Upload Here". (INSERT LINK TO ONE DRIVE)
Screenshot of email from administrator or studio owner giving you permission to post flyers or granting your request to include digital scoliosis awareness flyers in the school/studio newsletter/email to students/parents.

PHOTO UPLOAD Instructions:

1) Click the link-> ScolioDanceInitiative Volunteer Photo Upload Here

(INSERT LINK TO ONE DRIVE)

2) Add a New Folder (click the blue "+" button)

3) Name your folder with your FIRST & LAST NAME and today's DATE

4) Upload your photos and screenshots into your new folder (click the blue "+" button again)

Your photos will help us showcase the impact of the Scoliosis Awareness campaign and encourage others to get involved.

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STEP 5- Earn Volunteer Service Hours -OPTIONAL (Photos required to earn service hours)

If you need service hours verified, you must complete the Google Form link (Insert LINK)

1 Posted Flyer (Front and Back) = 5 service hours each location (ex. locker room, gym, hallway - 30 hours max per school/studio)

1 Digital Flyer in newsletter = 5 service hours (ex. parent newsletter, student newspaper, parent email, etc)

*Upload photo of cards and photo of the delivery through the Google Forms link above

(one or two photos with multiple cards please- prevents full storage of my account- do not take individual photos of each card)

You will receive a confirmation email once all information and photos have been submitted through the Google Forms link. A service hour verification letter will be emailed to you within 2-3 days. Any missing information/photos can delay the process, so please enter all information accurately.

Here are some resources from Scoliosis Research Society (SRS.org) - https://www.srs.org/Patients/Events/Scoliosis-Awareness-Month/Social-Media-Tools

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

Thank you for volunteering!

Logan, Zoë and Brooke

Joy Card Project Team (Scolio Dance Initiative)

Visit our website at joycardproject.org and follow us on Instagram @scolio.dance.initiative

Joy Card Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Tax ID #93-4053093

Click HERE for Email Templates for Schools and Dance Studios

Use the following email templates:

Email Template Option 1

Subject: Student Request: Permission to Share Scoliosis Awareness Flyers

Dear [Principal / Administrator / Studio Director] [Last Name],

My name is [Student Name], and I am a student volunteer with the Scolio Dance Initiative, a youth-led program that promotes scoliosis awareness and early detection, especially among young dancers (studies suggest dancers have a much higher rate of scoliosis) and active teens.

I’m reaching out to respectfully ask for permission to post or distribute a scoliosis awareness flyer at [School/Studio Name]. Our goal is simply to provide educational information to students and families about the importance of early detection during the teenage growth years.

In the 1970s and 1980s, many states implemented school-based scoliosis screening programs to help detect spinal curvature early in adolescents. Over time, however, many of these programs have been reduced or suspended due to funding and staffing limitations, which means many students today may never receive a screening during their most important growth years.

Early detection is important because scoliosis often develops between ages 10–16, when the spine is growing rapidly. When identified early, doctors can monitor the spine and recommend treatments—such as physical therapy, posture exercises, or bracing—that may help prevent the curve from progressing.

As a student volunteer with the Scolio Dance Initiative, I’m helping raise awareness so that families and students know simple signs to look for, such as uneven shoulders, a tilted waist, or one hip appearing higher than the other.

If approved, I would be happy to:

Provide a single informational flyer for posting on a bulletin board, or
Share a digital flyer that could be included in a newsletter or emailed to families.

Our goal is simply to support student health and awareness, and all materials are educational and free to share.

Thank you very much for considering this request and for supporting student wellness in your community. I would be happy to send the flyer or answer any questions.

Sincerely,

[Student Name]

Student Volunteer, Scolio Dance Initiative

[Email Address]

___________________________________________________________________________

Email Template Option 2 - Shorter version

Subject: Student Request: Permission to Share Scoliosis Awareness Flyer

Dear [Principal / Administrator / Studio Director] [Last Name],

My name is [Student Name], and I am a student volunteer with the Scolio Dance Initiative, a youth-led program that promotes scoliosis awareness and early detection among teens and dancers. Research suggests that dancers may have a higher rate of scoliosis than the general population.

I am writing to ask for permission to post or share a scoliosis awareness flyer with students and families at [School Name].

In past decades, many schools conducted scoliosis screenings, but in many areas these programs have been reduced or suspended due to funding and staffing limitations. Because scoliosis often develops during the rapid growth years of adolescence, early awareness can help families recognize signs and seek medical guidance sooner if needed.

If approved, I would be happy to provide a single informational flyer for a bulletin board or a digital version for a school newsletter.

Thank you for supporting student health and wellness. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Student Name]

Student Volunteer, Scolio Dance Initiative

[Email Address]

___________________________________________________________________________

Email Template - Follow-up Email

Subject: Quick Follow-Up: Scoliosis Awareness Flyer Request

Dear [Principal / Administrator / Studio Director] [Last Name],

I just wanted to briefly follow up on my previous email to see if it might be possible to share a scoliosis awareness flyer with students and families at [School Name] through the student-led Scolio Dance Initiative.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

[Student Name]

Student Volunteer, Scolio Dance Initiative

[Email Address]

Click HERE for Email Template for Your Governor

Request to Declare June to be National Scoliosis Awareness Month

(Date)

(Your full name)

(Your mailing address)

(Your phone number)

Governor (First name) (Last name)

State Capitol (Address)

City, State Zip

Dear Governor (Last name):

As a constituent and (a person living with scoliosis / a parent of a scoliosis patient / a scoliosis advocate), I am writing to ask you to declare June to be National Scoliosis Awareness Month and sign the National Scoliosis Awareness Month proclamation request from the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS).

For more than a decade, National Scoliosis Awareness Month is observed in June to disseminate information about scoliosis and highlight the growing need for education, early detection and public awareness of the physical, emotional, and economic impact of the condition.

The National Institute of Health-funded Bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Trial (BrAIST) study shows the benefits of bracing, which makes early detection even more important. With early detection and increased public awareness, we can prevent surgeries for future scoliosis patients.

Scoliosis has affected my life by…(Insert your personal story here)

By officially signing the National Scoliosis Awareness Month proclamation for (enter your state here), you will help highlight education, early detection and scoliosis awareness.

Our goal is for every state, district and commonwealth to officially declare, by proclamation, their observance of National Scoliosis Awareness Month during June and I hope you will join us!

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely yours,

(Your signature)

(Your printed name)

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