The Michigan Department of Community Health’s Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity Section (MDCH) and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), are pleased to announce a new early childhood obesity prevention grant opportunity utilizing the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC). Background The Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) is a research-tested intervention designed to improve the nutrition and physical activity environment, policies and practices through self-assessment and targeted technical assistance. Goals of the program are to improve nutritional quality of food served, amount and quality of physical activity, staff-child interactions, and center nutrition and physical activity policy. NAP SACC uses an organizational assessment of 14 areas of nutrition and physical activity policy, practices and environments to identify the strengths and limitations of the child care facility. The self-assessment answers help early learning and development program staff to set goals for change, and develop plans for follow-up actions to improve practice. Eligibility Criteria All Michigan early learning and development programs serving 0-5 year old children with high-need in licensed centers are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. High-need children are those who are from low-income families or otherwise in need of special assistance and support, including children who have disabilities or developmental delays, who are English learners, who are migrant, homeless, or in foster care or who reside on "Indian lands", as that term is defined by Section 8013(6) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, of 1965. Funding Availability 30 early learning and development programs (hereafter “Programs”) will be awarded $1,500 each. Awardees will be notified on or before December 14, 2012. RFA Technical Assistance Please submit questions pertaining to the application process to gilmoreL@michigan.gov. Funding Priority will be given to applicants participating in Great Start to Quality, having strong administrative support and stating health and/or obesity prevention as part of their mission or vision. The contract period will be January 1, 2013 – September 30, 2013. Funds will be dispersed at regular intervals throughout the funding period dependent upon successful completion of grant requirements. Grant funds MUST be used by the Program to implement policy and environmental changes documented in the action plan focused on improving nutrition and increasing physical activity. Grant funds may NOT be used to purchase any of the following:

1. Equipment such as large appliances and building structures, for example, ranges, refrigerators, steam tables, construction materials, etc.

2. Food served to children in care during regular food service 3. Memberships or subscriptions

Obesity Prevention Funding Opportunity for Early Learning and Development Programs

Request for Applications

4. Staff time (salaries) or contractual services Grant Requirements for Early Learning and Development Programs

1. Communicate with the NAP SACC Consultant at your Resource Center on an ongoing basis for support and technical assistance throughout the grant period.

2. Coordinate 1-2 NAP SACC workshops with the NAP SACC Consultant. 3. Complete the NAP SACC self-assessment by January 25, 2013. 4. By February 4, 2013:

a. Meet with your NAP SACC Consultant to review the results from the NAP SACC initial self-assessment.

b. Develop an action plan for your Program and include AT LEAST THREE (3) specific goals to make policy, practice and environmental changes in your action plan, including:

one policy, practice or environmental change aimed at increasing physical activity (example: increasing physical activity or screen-time reduction)

one policy, practice or environmental change aimed at improving nutrition (example: breastfeeding support or making drinking water visible and available)

one policy, practice or environmental change of your choice 5. Action steps to implement the policy, practice and environmental changes outlined in the

action plan should begin no later than February 11, 2013, with continuous quality improvement, communication with staff and engagement of families.

6. Complete the NAP SACC self-assessment again to determine where improvements have or have not been made (repeat self-Assessment). Revise action plan accordingly by June 30, 2013.

7. Develop, at minimum, two (2) success stories that reflect NAP SACC action plan successes by August 12, 2013.

8. Submit copies, at various intervals during the funding period, of: a. Completed initial self-assessment b. Completed action plan c. Completed repeat self-assessment d. Progress report on action plan e. Documentation of policy, practice and environmental changes made as written policies,

(cycle menus, handbooks, snack menus, lesson plans, etc.) f. Workshop evaluations g. Photographs, submitted electronically, of children engaging in healthy behaviors for

which appropriate releases have been documented. h. Two (2) success stories

9. Participate in and assist with coordination of feedback interviews and/or surveys with Program staff and families/parents.

Support for Grantees

1. MDCH and ECIC will facilitate NAP SACC Consultant training. 2. MDCH will provide technical assistance to NAP SACC Consultants, ensuring their capacity to

provide targeted technical assistance to Program grantees. 3. MDCH and ECIC will coordinate monthly conference calls with grantees and NAP SACC

Consultants to communicate project updates, provide technical assistance and provide a forum for grantees to participate in a learning community.

4. The NAP SACC Consultant will: Provide an overview of grant requirements, a general overview of the NAP SACC program

and more specific information on the self-assessment tool to participating Program Director(s) by January 11, 2013.

Assist with action planning based on self-assessment answers, due by February 4, 2013.

Deliver 1-2 ready-to-use workshops (30-40 minutes each) to the facility staff and, if requested, families by June 30, 2013.

Maintain monthly contact with the Program Director to provide technical assistance during the initial self-assessment process, action plan updates and implementation, and repeat self-assessment.

Assist the Program Director in writing and submitting two (2) success stories. Participate in monthly scheduled grant calls with ECIC and MDCH. Submit an updated Program Monitoring Guide monthly for each Program to MDCH. Participate in feedback interviews and/or surveys for evaluation purposes.

How to Apply

Complete and submit Request for Applications (RFA) by Friday, November 30, 2012.

To request consideration for project funding the following steps are required:

Complete the ONLINE Request for Applications: “Obesity Prevention Funding Opportunity for Early Learning and Development Programs”, including a letter of commitment from the Director of the licensed Program. Please review your application carefully as incomplete applications will not be considered.

Print TWO (2) copies before submitting your completed online application.

An original, printed copy of your completed application and the signed letter of commitment must be received by Friday, November 30, 2012 at the following address:

Lonias Gilmore Michigan Department of Community Health PO Box 30195 Lansing, MI 48909

Applicants will be notified by email before the review process begins.

Please direct questions and concerns regarding this RFA to Lonias Gilmore (gilmoreL@michigan.gov OR 517 373-3021).