Childhood Obesity Prevention Project
Questions and Answers about Request for Applications (RFA) #A173
(Questions / Responses from Friday, August 1 call begin on page 8).
Monday, July 28, 2008, 9:00 -10:30 am
Participants:
1
Anson
Beaufort
Buncombe
Caldwell
Caswell
Catawba
Gaston
Guilford
Henderson
Johnston
Macon
McDowell
Moore
Nash
Pitt
Randolph
Robeson
Rowan
Wake
Watauga
Wayne
1
Community Care of North Carolina
North Carolina Association for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NCAAHPERD)
WakeMed Health and Hospitals
NC Division of Public Health, Diabetes Prevention and Control Branch
NC Division of Public Health, Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch
Questions / Responses:
The following is a summary of questions and responses discussed on the call. In addition, several questions and responses received via email or phone after Monday’s call are included below.
1
GENERAL / MISCELLANEOUS
What are the required components of the RFA?
The eight required components are listed on page 3 of the RFA. See numbers 1-4 at the top of the page.
How should counties address existing programs through the application process?
Counties must implement the required eight components (as specified in the RFA)of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project even if they are currently implementing a similar project. The counties should highlight the current efforts and the relationships in place to support the efforts. Existing staff positions and relationships should be highlighted under Capacity of Partnership and the program success under Past Performance and Success in the Brief Proposal. If counties are invited to submit a Grant Application and are already implementing a required or optional component in the RFA, any other funding sources or staff contributions should be listed as in-kind contributions along with the Proposed Budget.
Is there a matching requirement for this RFA?
No. There is no matching requirement.
Is there any flexibility in the timeline for expending the funds?
The project period is from October 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009. The funds cannot be carried forward or expended after May 31, 2009. Funds will be available to the selected counties on October 1, 2008, and counties will be responsible for working with county leadership and navigating local systems to ensure that implementation can begin at the earliest possible time.
Does the State expect counties to sustain the Project beyond the Grant Period end date of May 31, 2009?
The hope is that the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project would bring successful programs that counties will choose to sustain; however, there is no requirement to continue the programs after the grant period ends. State funding to continue the projects is not secured at this time. The Childhood Obesity Prevention Project was originally included in the state budget with recurring funding, but Project funding was changed to non-recurring before the budget was approved. Successful demonstrations this fiscal year will be critical to the possibility of securing future funding.
Can Project funds be used to purchase incentives?
Yes, but the total budgeted for incentives may not exceed 2% of the total budget. (Note that a budget proposal is not required with the Brief Proposal)
Can project funds be used to support schools’ lost revenue in implementing the NC Nutrition Standards?
Yes. This would assist in meeting one of the optional components of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project. Please note that counties must first be able to complete the required components of the RFA before using funding toward this optional component.
If a county receives an Eat Smart, Move More (ESMM) Community Grant and a Childhood Obesity Prevention Project grant, will they be required to implement both even though they have similar foci?
If a county is awarded both an ESMM Community Grant and Childhood Obesity Prevention Project grant, the county would be responsible (and held accountable)
for implementing both as outlined in the project applications.
Can funds be used to supplant existing funding?
Yes.
STAFF
Are counties required to hire new staff with the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project funding?
No. Counties are not required to hire new staff positions. Given the short time frame for Project implementation, as stated on page 4 of the RFA, “Priority will be given to those that can demonstrate that qualified, trained personnel are identified and ready to begin implementation of the project interventions as soon as the award is made.”
How many hours per week are considered part time?
20 hours per week is considered part time.
Can counties use funds to pay for staff time greater than what is recommended in the RFA?
Yes. The Budget Template provides estimates of staff time needed to carry out the Project, but counties may adjust depending on the level of implementation they anticipate for specific interventions.
Can positions be filled by graduate students?
Positions must be filled by qualified individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to coordinate the interventions who also are knowledgeable about the county.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How specific should the letters of commitment be?
Letters of commitment should describe the partner’s role in a specific intervention(s).
How are preview meetings for counties selected to submit a grant application conducted?
The preview meetings will be held with the 6 – 10 counties that are invited to prepare a Grant Application. The meetings will be held individually with the county either via phone or in-person (if possible) on August 20 and 21, 2008.
BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Is there a specifically prescribed bicycle/pedestrian plan that is required for counties to complete, or is this to be based on a plan that counties/municipalities could have developed on their own?
There is not a prescribed Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan that is required to be in place. However, the intervention should implement a portion of a Master Plan that has been developed to prioritize projects related to bicycling/walking/greenways.
Is implementation of a county-wide Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan required, or could implementation of a specific municipality plan be sufficient?
Implementation of either (at least a portion of) a county-wide Master Plan or (at least a portion of) a municipality Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan is appropriate.
Will counties be limited to $100,000 for the Implementation of Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan component of the project?
Yes. Counties will be expected to prioritize and implement portions/phases of the overall Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, not to exceed $100,000.
Can funds be used to implement a Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan rather than develop one?
Funds must be used for implementation and cannot be used to develop a Plan.
HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS / SOCIAL MARKETING
How should the Health Communications/Social Marketing campaign be implemented?
Technical Assistance on the campaign will be provided through the Division of Public Health, Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Branch. The campaign will use the Eat Smart, Move More messages as a basis, but counties can tailor the campaign to fit their county needs and markets. For instance, the PAN Branch will provide county-specific information to assist the county in creating messages that will be effective in the county. The county may also promote the partnership responsible for the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project through this campaign.
HOSPITAL WORKSITE WELLNESS
If the hospital(s) in a county already have employee wellness committee(s) is this considered an asset?
If hospital worksite wellness program(s) are in existence, this should be written in the Brief Proposal. The existing capacity to implement the intervention and past success with the intervention should be noted.
If the hospital(s) in a county already have employee wellness committees, what could a county do for the required “Hospital Worksite Wellness” component of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project?
Funds from the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project can be used to enhance the existing program and/or expand it to other hospitals in the county.
ISPOD
What is included in the ISPOD program?
Please see this information on the ISPOD website: http://www.ispod.info/
What are the advantages to schools for participation in the ISPOD?
ISPOD includes: free training for Physical Education teachers, adoption of a proven curriculum (SPARK) for Physical Education and free course materials, the ability to establish health status of the student body and measure changes in health status over time, ability to assess children’s behaviors and attitudes toward physical activity and nutrition, etc. More information about the ISPOD Program is available at: http://www.ispod.info/
Are a certain number of teachers that are required to participate in the ISPOD program?
All K-8th grade teachers are invited to participate, but there are no participation requirements.
Is the use of FITNESSGRAM a required part of the ISPOD Program?
Yes. FITNESSGRAM is a required part of the ISPOD Program. FITNESSGRAM testing is required at the start and end of the school year for all students in K-8th grade. As part of the ISPOD Program, schools will be provided with the FITNESSGRAM software to record and report the FITNESSGRAM data to NCAAHPERD.
Are the Physical Education teachers responsible for conducting the FITNESSGRAM assessment and reporting?
Schools may determine who is involved in the assessment and recording of information (i.e., the school nurse or others may be engaged if appropriate). NCAAHPERD will work with the school to determine a system that works.
How is ISPOD different that the Healthy Active Children policy?
ISPOD differs from the Healthy Active Children policy in that ISPOD specifically addresses health education and physical education rather than physical activity.
How is ISPOD different from the NC Prevention Partners ZONE Health program?
ISPOD focuses on Physical Education and Health Education, specifically training Physical Education teachers in a proven curriculum to increase physical activity, promote healthy eating, and thereby affects youth’s health status, behaviors, and attitudes toward physical activity and nutrition. ISPOD includes health assessments of children twice a year. The Zone Health engages schools in developing a health plan to prevent obesity. The Zone Health toolkit helps schools assess their current health environment, prioritize needs, develop policies, and make positive changes that promote healthy weight students. Information on the Zone Health is available at http://www.zonehealth4schools.org/about.html.
NAP SACC
Are a certain number or percentage of childcare centers required to participate in the NAP SACC intervention?
No. Counties may determine the number of childcare centers they propose to target. The RFA asks that counties state the number of childcare centers that will be targeted and the total number of childcare centers in the county.
Are there requirements related to which childcare centers can be targeted for the NAP SACC intervention? For example, is the intervention limited to three-star or higher rated centers?
No. There are no such limitations or requirements for this Project. Counties may consider, given the absence of limitations/requirements, the level of support that will be needed to help all of the targeted centers achieve success. Success of this intervention will be measured on the percentage of centers able meet certain benchmarks and show change as described in the RFA Evaluation Measures - Attachment E.
If NAP SACC is already being implemented in childcare centers, can funds be used to enhance current activities or implement the intervention in additional centers?
Either use of funds would be appropriate for the Project.
If the county currently has another funding source to implement NAP SACC, how can the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project funds be used?
Funds from the other funding source should be noted as an in-kind contribution (note that a budget is NOT needed for the Brief Proposal). Project funds could be used to enhance current activities or expand the intervention to additional centers.
What training is required for NAP SACC?
The county NAP SACC coordinator is required to complete the online training for NAP SACC at: http://www.center-trt.org/index.cfm?fa=webtraining.napsacc . If preferred, in-person training can be contracted by the county. Counties seeking assistance in identifying a trainer to provide onsite NAP SACC training to the county NAP SACC coordinator should contact the PAN Branch for assistance.
If the county NAP SACC coordinator has already completed the required training, does he/she need to complete the training again.
No. He/She will not be required to complete the training again is he/she has already completed it.
WAKEMED ENERGIZE!
What does the proposed $10,200 subcontract for the WakeMed ENERGIZE! Program (listed in the RFA Budget Justification under sub-contracts) include?
All materials, training, and technical assistance for the WakeMed ENERGIZE! Program provided by WakeMed Health and Hospitals will be included in this subcontract. In addition to this subcontract, counties should plan to provide payment to local community organization health or physical education staff (i.e. YMCA staff) that will assist with the 12 week course. Counties may also plan to have incentive items to support the program.
Can the timeline for the WakeMed ENERGIZE! classes be customized for individual counties?
The 12-week, 3-class per week format is required; however, if implementation of the program falls during a holiday, the timeline may be extended a week. Counties are expected to complete one class series for the intervention and should begin the 12-week class series not later than early March.
Are physicians required to travel for the WakeMed ENERGIZE! trainings?
No. The training will be provided onsite for the physicians.
YRBSS OVERSAMPLING
What is the purpose of counties oversampling with the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)?
The purpose of oversampling is to gain county specific data on youth behavior related to physical activity and nutrition. These data can be compared with state and national data to initially provide baseline information on the individual counties. The State would look to support oversampling in these counties again in 2011 to draw comparison with the 2009 data and assess if there are changes in the county following the Childhood Obesity Prevention Project.
How will counties oversample using the YRBSS?
Counties will work with the State YRBSS Coordinator to arrange for the oversampling. In order to ensure that the county sample is comparable to state and national data, counties must use the same sampling methodology used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conducting the YRBSS. The State YRBSS Coordinator will assist counties with getting the survey forms from CDC and in working with the State Center for Health Statistics for data analysis.
What outcome measures is the YRBSS data being tied to?
The YRBSS will provide specific data on youth behaviors related to physical activity and nutrition. Since a key purpose of the Health Communications/Social Marketing Campaign is to promote behavior change, the YRBSS oversampling is included in this section of the RFA. However, many of the interventions also promote behavior change. County level 2009 YRBSS data would be important to establish a baseline and ideally allow comparison for county level 2011 YRBSS data.
If a county is already planning to implement YRBSS this fall, could Childhood Obesity Prevention Project funds be used for this?