In 2010, Texas was one of 14 states awarded grant funding from USDA for projects aimed at improving the health and nutrition of children in child care settings.

This grant established the Texas CACFP Child Care Wellness Grant Program which funds Farm to Child Care (FTC) and Breastfeeding Supportive Child Care Practices (BSP) projects in CACFP child care centers and day care homes across the state. These Grants are based on a competitive process where each application is reviewed and scored by a panel of experts.

In 2011, four (4) Farm to Child Care and three (3) Breastfeeding Supportive Child Care Practices grants were awarded to CACFP contracting entities. 

To learn more about the grant awardees click here. To download the application for 2012 projects click here, and to download the grant application instructions click here. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m, CST March 31, 2012, with an award date of August 31, 2012. Submissions must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2012.

The goal of the FTC grant projects is to create connections between local farmers, their fresh produce and the children in the child care setting. With an FTC grant you establish a direct purchasing relationship with a local produce grower to integrate more fresh fruits and vegetables into meals and snacks.

 

FTC funds can be used to create a sustainable farm-direct program in a variety of ways:

 

• staff training
• improve nutrition education
• program promotional materials
• equipment to store and prepare food
• field trips to farms and urban gardens
• materials to grow a vegetable garden
• books, lesson plans and activity sheets
• fruits and vegetables for taste tests
• materials for cooking demonstrations
• information on local food sources

 

Through the FTC program, children will be provided an environment in which choosing healthy foods is an easier, preferred choice, and the invaluable lessons they learn and experiences they have with local food can stay with them as they grow beyond the child care setting.

The goal of the BSC grant projects is to increase support for breastfeeding mothers through enhancing childcare practices and policies. BSC funds can be used in a variety of ways to create a culturally appropriate breastfeeding environment:

 

• private accommodations to express milk
• refrigerated storage for breast milk
• training on storage and handling of breast milk
• infant care plans with staff and family
• staff training on bottle feeding breastfed babies
• informational handouts and breastfeeding signage
• resources for best practices and policy information
• equipment to support nursing mothers and breastfed babies

 

Through the BCS program, mothers and families will be provided an environment where breastfeeding is normal, respected and convenient and where infant health is protected through ready-access to their mother’s milk.  

All FTC and BSC grant recipients may use a portion of their funds to improve access to the Healthy Child Care Network (HCN). The HCN is a way to stay informed, access training and connect to other CACFP providers. As the program develops, all CACFP providers will be encouraged to participate in this network.

HCN funds will allow for the purchase or upgrade of software, hardware, Internet capabilities and other technological services necessary to improve child care provider’s access to the network. 

Currently participating Texas CACFP sponsors of child care centers and child day care homes as well as independent child care centers are eligible to apply for these grants. Grant awards are a competitive process where each application is reviewed and scored by a panel of experts. Awards are based on scores as well as a balanced number of projects, Farm to Child Care and Breastfeeding Supportive Child Care Practices.  Awarded projects will be required to establish and implement Farm to Child Care or Breastfeeding Supportive Child Care Practices. If an award is made for one of these projects then the organization automatically is required to participate in the Healthy Child Care Network.

Individual child care centers may seek up to $10,000 for expenses related to the implementation, supplementation, improvement or expansion of a Farm to Child Care program or Breastfeeding Supportive Child Care Practices program, as well as participation in the mandatory Healthy Child Care Network initiatives.

Child care center or day home sponsors may request up to $25,000 for centers or day homes in their network; however, there is a maximum of $10,000 that can be awarded to any single center or day home within the network.

Applicants may select to apply for either Farm to Child Care (FTC) OR Breastfeeding Supportive Child Care Practices (BSC); however, all respondents are automatically required to participate in the Healthy Child Care Network (HCN).  Applicants who have already applied in the past are welcome to re-apply.

To download the application for 2012 projects click here, and to download the grant application instructions click here. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m, CST March 31, 2012 with an award date of August 31, 2012. Submissions must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2012. 

TDA will hold two teleconferences for applicants to answer questions and provide assistance. The two dates are March 1, 2012. from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., and March 6, 2012, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Please select the date and time that works best for you as the same information will be discussed during each call. Click here to download the teleconference instructions.

Information will be communicated to you via Food and Nutrition e-News. Subscribe to e-News here.

Download the FAQ document (revised March 14, 2012) here.  For questions regarding proposal submission and documentation requirements contact Lillianne Goeders at 512-463-6287 or e-mail CACFPWellness@Texasagriculture.gov.

TDA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals submitted. TDA is under no legal or other obligation to execute a grant on the basis of a response submitted to this RFP. TDA shall not pay for any costs incurred by any entity in responding to this RFP.

TDA reserves the right to fund projects partially or fully. TDA reserves the right to negotiate individual elements of any proposal and to reject any and all proposals. Where more than one proposal is acceptable for funding, TDA may request cooperation between grantees or revision/adjustment to a proposal in order to avoid duplication and to realize the maximum benefit to the state. Selected projects will receive funding on a cost-reimbursement basis.