Improving Student Health and Academic Achievement through Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Management of Chronic Conditions in Schools

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 funds to implement CDC-RFA-DP18-1801, Improving Student Health and Academic Achievement through Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Management of Chronic Conditions in Schools. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is limited to state governments, specifically, State Education Agencies (SEAs). Approximately $7 million per year is available. The period of performance is 5 years with a 12-month budget period and an anticipated start date of June 30, 2018. The purpose of this project is to (1) Increase the number of students who consume nutritious food and beverages; (2) Increase the number of students who participate in daily physical education and physical activity; and (3) Increase the number of students who can effectively manage their chronic health conditions. There are two priority areas applicants can apply for under this NOFO: Priority 1: Improving Student Health and Academic Achievement through Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Management of Chronic Health Conditions in Schools Priority 2: National Professional Development and Training to Improve Student Health and Academic Achievement Priority 1 Strategies: Priority 1 State Education Agencies (SEAs) will focus strategies and activities within the context of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child, model (WSCC). The WSCC model, expands on the eight components of CDC’s Coordinated School Health (CSH) model and combines it with ASCD’s whole child framework. CDC and ASCD jointly developed the WSCC model in collaboration with key health, public health, education, and school health experts. The WSCC model has 10 components, with the effect on children as the focus: health education; physical education and physical activity; nutrition environment and services; health services; counseling, psychological, and social services; social and emotional climate; physical environment; employee wellness; family engagement; and community involvement. Schools, health agencies, parents, and communities share a common goal of supporting the health and academic achievement of children and adolescents. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and schools within the awarded SEAs will implement evidence-based school health policies, practices and programs that increase opportunities for healthy eating, physical activity and management of chronic health conditions during the school day as well as during out-of-school time. Approximately 19 SEAs will be funded to implement Priority 1 and will be responsible for implementing three strategies: Strategy 1. Infrastructure Development Strategy 2. Professional Development and Training Strategy 3. Technical Assistance SEAs will be expected to implement these strategies using a comprehensive, statewide approach over the 5-year period of performance. While activities are expected to be implemented statewide, each SEA will select between 5 and 10 LEAs with which to prioritize their work. SEAs should work with the majority of schools within these LEAs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Priority 1 SEAs must submit Letters of Support (LOS) from each of the LEAs they plan to work with. LOS should describe how the LEA will help the SEA achieve the goals of the NOFO. LOS will be a criterion used in evaluating the application. Priority 1 SEAs are also required to also submit a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the appropriate State Health Department with their application. Priority 1 SEAs are expected to direct part of their award to the State Health Department to support staff positions and activities associated with the NOFO. The MOA should clearly define the mutual goals, relationship, and responsibilities of the SEA and State Health Department. MOAs will be a criteria used in evaluating the application. Priority 2 Strategies One SEA will be funded to implement Priority 2 which focuses on building the capacity of Priority 1 SEAs. The recipient will plan, develop and deliver quality professional development and training to Priority 1 SEAs. The Priority 2 SEA will be responsible for implementing one strategy: Strategy 1: National Professional Development and Training Applicants seeking funding for Priority 2 must also apply for Priority 1 funding. Priority 2 applicants must compete and successfully be awarded Priority 1 funding in order to also be awarded Priority 2 funding.

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