Request for Community Organization Partner To respond to Mass in Motion Request for Response Boston Public Health Commission May 5, 2014 Background and Overview Boston Public Health Commission (The Commission or BPHC) is seeking ONE neighborhood-based partner in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan or Hyde Park as part of an application that we plan to submit to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) in response to their open Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Initiative grant solicitation. Mass in Motion is MDPH s multi-pronged statewide obesity prevention initiative. This Mass in Motion Request for Response (RFR) will fund approximately 16 Massachusetts communities to implement at least three (3) policy, systems, and/or environmental (PSE) obesity prevention strategies that improve the overall community environment for healthy eating and physical activity. For this municipally-based RFR, only municipal agencies or regional planning authorities may be the lead applicant. For larger communities, it is permissible to have the project strategies focus on a neighborhood rather than a citywide, level. Given the Commission s priority to address the racial/ethnic inequities in obesity and the limited funding available through these grant funds, we plan to focus our application on a neighborhood level in one Boston neighborhood that experiences a disproportionate burden of obesity. We seek a community-based organization (CBO) to take the lead in this partnership, which would focus on the neighborhood in which that CBO works. The full MDPH RFR is attached. The full set of requirements and contract documents may be found at https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/biddetail.sdo?docid=bd-14-1031-bchap-bch01-00000000217&external=true&parenturl=bid. While these are referenced for your general information, it is not necessary to review these documents or the purposes of responding to this Request for Partner by the Commission. Grant Period and Funding Available The initial grant funding period is 2 years, 9 months, projected to begin October 1 2014. There is the possibility of continued funding for additional years, contingent on funding availability and performance. The MDPH Mass in Motion RFR specifies the following annualized funding levels: 1. $40,000 An individual city/town, neighborhood or collaborative with a population between 35,000 60,000 working on a minimum of three communitylevel strategies. 2. $50,000 An individual city/town, neighborhood or collaborative with a population between 60,000 100,000 working on a minimum of three community-level strategies. 3. $60,000 An individual city/town, neighborhood or collaborative with a population greater than 100,000 working on a minimum of three community-level strategies. 1
The Commission expects that a neighborhood-level project would most likely be funded at the $40,000/year level, given the size of the neighborhoods of focus. The Commission would expect to retain 20% of this funding to actively participate in the Mass in Motion project and fulfill the fiscal and oversight requirements. The remaining funding would be available through subcontract for the partner CBO. Eligibility Requirements The Commission will consider an application partnership with ONE CBO that can meet the following requirements: 1. Is a not-for-profit organization; 2. Has a history of work and multi-sector collaboration in one of the following neighborhoods or subneighborhoods that encompasses at least 35,000 residents: Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roxbury; 3. Has a track record and understanding of community-based obesity prevention strategies in healthy eating and/physical activity (preferably both); 4. Has the organizational capacity to provide primary direction and oversight to implementation of a neighborhood-wide plan that includes at least 3 policy, systems, and environmental change strategies for healthy eating and physical activity. a. Please note that while at least one of the strategies should be neighborhood-wide, it is permissible and encouraged to focus one strategy specifically on populations that have the highest burden of obesity within your neighborhood; 5. Has a youth development program that can assist in meeting the MDPH requirement to support youth development and engagement activities aimed at community improvements/change for at least one of the 3 PSE strategies; 6. Is willing to work with the Commission to meet the MDPH requirement that the initiative connect to existing DPH programs and partners in the community, as appropriate. (Note: the Commission has capacity to make these connections); 7. Can effectively convene and manage, with support from the Commission, a multi-sectoral partnership that includes both city, community organization, and community resident representation, to implement these strategies; 8. Can hire and supervise a half-time (or more) Mass in Motion project coordinator using the allocated grant funds; 9. Can meet requirements for quarterly invoicing and performance reports ; 10. Is willing to participate in Mass in Motion trainings and statewide meetings, and to share learnings from project within Boston and across state; 11. Can meet the aggressive timeline requirements for RFR response and meetings, detailed in the section below. Note on neighborhood definition: MDPH eligibility requires a population focus of at least 35,000. The Commission recognizes that there are differing definitions of some Boston neighborhoods and subneighborhoods that encompass different numbers of residents. Therefore, the CBO can define its neighborhood of focus as long as it meets the minimum threshold. Scope of Work and PSE Strategies Below is the description of the Scope of Work and examples of selected strategies from the Mass in Motion RFR. The Commission encourages interested CBO partners to base their proposed strategies on 2
work that is relevant to your neighborhood. These strategies can expand work you are already doing or can be new. However, if based on work you are already doing, the MDPH funds must be used in a manner that does not duplicate work being supported by other funders. Please note that these strategies should be significant enough that they may require 2-3 years for successful implementation. They should include engagement across the neighborhood for successful implementation. They may include new policies and/or a focus on successful or complete implementation of existing city policies within your neighborhood (e.g., implementation of Complete Streets policies, bicycling plans, urban agriculture regulations). The Commission will work with the selected CBO to refine the strategies and assure that they meet Mass in Motion evidence-informed standards. A required element of the project will be to convene a multi-sectoral partnership that includes city agencies, community organizations, and community residents. The Commission will be actively involved in this partnership and will assist in recruiting and retaining city agency and other representatives. However, the overall logistical coordination of the partnership will be the responsibility of the CBO. This partnership may build on an existing neighborhood partnership/coalition or may be newly convened for the Mass in Motion project. The partnership will be expected to have a regular schedule of meetings. Mass in Motion Scope of Service The purpose of the Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Initiative is to implement local policy, systems and environmental change to prevent and reduce overweight/obesity, chronic disease and associated risk factors and to create healthier communities. Interventions will focus on healthy eating, active living, and promotion of healthy and safe physical environments. The initiative is municipal lead with the creation of a multi-sector partnership to develop and implement the community-level strategies. Grantees will use the funds to transform where their residents live, work, play and go to school so that they can lead healthier, more productive lives. Grantees will have an additional focus on reducing disparities and health inequities. Strategies must be consistent with best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and evidenced-based practice such as recommendations from the Institute of Medicine and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Please see resources included in appendices. Mass in Motion is a multi-faceted initiative and all local strategies as part of the Municipal Wellness and Leadership program must be consistent with state-wide, MDPH lead Mass in Motion efforts. Required program components include: 1. Establishment and coordination of a multi-sector partnership to support community-level strategies. The partnership should: Include municipal and community-based partners Be reflective of stakeholders that can impact the selected strategies Ensure inclusion of community members 2. Implementation of a minimum of three community-level strategies that must address both healthy eating and active living. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and the consumption of healthy foods is important in maintaining a healthy weight and reducing ones 3
risk for chronic disease and associated risk factors including hypertension, heart disease and stroke, diabetes and some cancers. Grantees must implement strategies that are broad based policy, systems and environmental change strategies aimed at creating conditions to support and reinforce healthy behaviors for people of all ages and abilities and for populations experiencing disparities. Grantees are required to take a comprehensive approach and address healthy eating and active living when selecting strategies. For example, communities may select two strategies that increase access to healthy foods and one that makes improvements to support walking and bicycling, but not three that increase access to healthy foods. Examples of community-level strategies include: Increasing accessibility, availability, affordability and identification of healthful foods in communities by: Creating incentives to attract supermarkets or grocery stores to underserved neighborhoods or enabling current small stores in underserved areas to carry healthier, affordable and culturally appropriate food items Enhancing accessibility to grocery stores through public safety efforts such as better outdoor lighting and community policing or realigning bus routes or providing other transportation to ensure residents can access supermarkets and grocery stores easily and affordably through public transportation Requiring menu labeling in restaurants not covered by federal law Offering incentives for restaurants and convenience stores that promote healthier options and/or make healthier options more readily available Encouraging use of SNAP and WIC benefits at farmers markets by obtaining equipment to allow for use of EBT cards and/or establishing match to increase value of benefits Introducing or modifying land use policies/zoning regulations to promote, expand, and protect potential sites for community gardens and farmers markets, such as vacant municipal-owned land or unused parking lots, particularly in underrepresented communities/neighborhoods Requiring that plain water be available in municipally operated and administered outdoor areas and facilities and/or adopt building codes to require access to and maintenance of fresh water drinking water foundations Establish nutritional standards and guidelines for use at food pantries and meal sites Reducing access to and consumption of calorie-dense, nutrient poor foods by: Implementing zoning designed to limit the density of fast food establishments in residential communities and/or adopt land use and zoning policies that restrict fast food establishments near school grounds and public playgrounds Reducing advertising and marketing of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages near school grounds and public places frequently visited by youth 4
Creating incentive or recognition programs to encourage grocery stores and convenience stores to reduce point-of-sale marketing of calorie-dense, nutrientpoor foods Increasing opportunities for physical activity in communities by: Adopting joint use agreements to make facilities available for recreational use by children, adults and families Establishing a community-wide safe routes to school initiative to increase walking and bicycling to school on a daily basis Building and/or maintaining parks and playgrounds that are safe and attractive for playing and in close proximity to residential areas and/or adopt community policing strategies that improve safety and security for park and playground use Improving the built environment to advance opportunities for healthy living by encouraging walking/bicycling (for transportation and recreation), increasing access to public transportation and improving access to healthy food for people of all and ages and abilities by: Incorporating health (with measurable goals and objectives) into municipal plans such as comprehensive/master plans, open space plans, etc. Conducting Health-Based zoning/ordinance/regulation reviews that assess barriers to active transportation, public transit access, access to healthy food and access to green/open space Adopting pedestrian, bicycle and public transit master plans to develop a long-term vision for walking, bicycling and access to public transit that include measurable goals and objectives Establishing active design standards/guidelines for use with all new development projects Establishing and Implementing local complete streets policies that include measurable goals and objectives Establishing community protocols (including use of Health Impact Assessments) to assess impact of built environment related changes on community health and well being Developing healthy community design checklists and establishing crossdisciplinary teams (planning, health, public works, transportation, council on aging) to review and assess all proposed developments 3. Application of a health equity lens to local efforts. Consideration of population and/or areas at highest risk for overweight, obesity, chronic disease and related negative health outcomes when selecting strategies and engaging partners. Include targeted activities in at least one of the community-level strategies to address a population and/or neighborhood with high burden of overweight/obesity and chronic disease. 5
4. Collaboration with other DPH funded programs and partners. Collaborate with Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP), Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), Violence and Injury Prevention and other initiatives to strengthen local policy promotion and creation of healthier communities. Support youth development and engagement activities aimed at community improvements/change. If additional funding becomes available, related components or special projects in areas of high need and/or areas with innovative policy interventions may be added. Timeline The timeline for responding to this RFR is very short and includes a holiday weekend. The final grant application is due to MDPH on Friday, May 30. Therefore, any interested organizational partner must be able to comply with this very aggressive timeline to submit a competitive application. While the BPHC grant writer will write the actual application, we require active participation by the partner organization. Tues May 13, 5: 00 pm Thurs May 15, 1200 noon Fri May 16, 12:00 noon 5:00 pm Mon May 19-Thurs May 22 Fri May 23, 12:00 noon Tues May 27, 12:00 noon Wed May 28, 5:00 pm Thurs May 28, 10:00 am Thurs May 28, 5:00 pm Fri May 30, 2:00 pm Brief proposal by interested CBO partners due to BPHC. Email proposal to Anne McHugh at amchugh@bphc.org. Please request a return receipt on your email. BPHC will notify CBOs of its decision Key organizational representative(s) of the selected CBO must be available to meet with BPHC staff and grant writer for a two-hour time-block to discuss key aspects of the grant application Key organizational representatives must assist BPHC in reaching out to other stakeholders and in responding to questions to assist BPHC grant writer in preparing application BPHC will deliver a draft proposal and budget for organizational review CBO gives all feedback on draft application and budget All stakeholder letters of support are due Final proposal and budget circulated for last comments Final comments are due to grant writer Grant application delivered to MDPH Proposal Requirements Answer the questions below in a document to not exceed seven (7) pages. Email your response to Anne McHugh, Director, Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Division, at amchugh@bphc.org. Questions may also be addressed to this email. Proposals must be received via email at this address by Tuesday May 13 at 5:00 pm. Please briefly answer each question below: 1. Agency name, address 6
2. Neighborhood focus: Identify the whole or sub-neighborhood that will be a focus for this proposal. Identify the population size for this area and the source for your population estimate. If this is an atypical neighborhood definition, please provide approximate area boundaries. 3. Contact information: Name, title, email address and phone number of contact person for this proposal. This should be the main point of contact for working with BPHC to submit a competitive proposal. 4. Attest that your organization can comply with the proposal timeline requirements, including that key organizational staff member(s) will be available for a 2-hour meeting on Friday May 16, to be scheduled between 12 noon- 5pm. 5. Identify which organizational staff members (name, title, roles) will be at this meeting and will work with BPHC to develop a competitive proposal. 6. Where would the Mass in Motion coordinator be placed within the organizational structure? Who would be the direct supervisor of this position? 7. What experience does your organization have in working in your neighborhood to support healthy eating and physical activity through a policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change lens? Please note recent past and current initiatives. 8. What three (3) PSE strategies would you like to select for this proposal? Give brief rationale for why these strategies provide opportunity and would be beneficial for your neighborhood. Include any information about how these strategies would in particular contribute to reducing the current health inequities in obesity between Black/Latino and White residents. 9. Describe how neighborhood youth might be engaged in collaborating on at least one of these strategies. (Please note that is permissible that all strategies involve youth engagement.) Describe organizational capacity to support youth development and leadership. 10. What other organizations and city agencies might need to be engaged in a partnership to accomplish these strategies? (This can be initial thoughts which BPHC can assist in further developing). Do you have existing partnerships with any of these organizations? 11. Please describe any experience your organization has with convening multi-sectoral partnerships. 12. Attest that your organization will take logistical responsibility for convening the partnership. 13. Attest that your organization will comply with Mass in Motion reporting requirements and reasonable requests for participation in ongoing statewide activities. 7