Dear Potential Applicant, The Will County Partners for Healthy Families (WCPHF) announces the availability of funds for University of Illinois Extension Junior Master Gardener (JMG) Program in Will County. These funds support a community program addressing obesity through nutrition education and physical activity in school-age children (grades K-5) participating in after-school and community recreation programs. The Will County Partners for Healthy Families mission is to enhance the quality of life and improve the overall health and wellness of our community for people of all ages, abilities and diverse backgrounds. By implementing the Junior Master Gardener Program in the Will County community we hope to increase the number of community gardens and teach children how to grow vegetables and fruits; thereby increasing access and knowledge about healthy nutritional choices and physical activity in children by providing sustainable opportunities for children to be healthy and active within their communities as part of their everyday experience. The Will County Partners for Healthy Families will be offering two grant programs in 2015. These grants will be for three year partnership in which funds will be dispersed. Please take a moment to review the application guidelines and determine if your organization will take advantage of this funding opportunity. These grants are extremely competitive. It is important that you read the application thoroughly (see next page for program overview & requirements). Completed applications are due to no later than March 15, 2015 to shannon.jermal@presencehealth.org. Sincerely, Will County Partners for Healthy Families For Office Use Only Application No. Date Received
Junior Master Gardener Program of Will County Overview The 2015 grant will support nutrition education and physical activity of children in Will County afterschool and community recreation programs for a three year period. The program will use tools from the Junior Master Gardener curriculum designed to equip children with the knowledge, self-efficacy, skills, and intentions to learn how to grow vegetables and fruits so they can make healthy dietary and healthy physical activity decisions. Project staff will provide group educational and activity instruction weekly to participants and monitor the participants. The program can be held during the school year, during the summer months or both. A base line health assessment will be conducted on participants annually and a progress report will need to be returned to Will County Partners for Health Families for the next distribution of grant funds. In addition to providing the children s progress, the site will need to complete a classroom based or school/center based activity during year two that support either increased physical activity or healthy nutrition. During the final year of the partnership, the site will need to adopt a policy that will support either increase physical activity or healthy nutrition. Examples are provided below, but each site can implement a different activity or policy from the choices below with prior approval from WCPHF. The grant will be dispersed in three increments as follows: Year One (June 1, 2015-May 31, 2016): Provision of the Community Garden (up to $1000 value) Year Two (June 1, 2016-May 31, 2017): $500 Year Three (June 1, 2017-May 31, 2018): $250 Junior Master Gardner Program Materials Included: On-site community garden (either permanent raised beds or Earthbox Grow systems to be determined by Will County Partners for Healthy Family UIE Master Gardener Coordinator) Junior Master Gardener Curriculum o Health & Nutrition from the Garden Leaders Guide o One Level 1 Teacher Leader Guide o One Level 1 Youth Guide o Soil Test for Toxicity Target Population: School-aged children grades Kindergarten thru 5 th grade Components of the Program: A site on organization/school property that is conducive to a successful garden that must be approved by the Will County Partners for Healthy Families UIE Master Gardener Coordinator including: o Full sun exposure o Outdoor Access to water (hose)
o o o o Access to garden space during entire growing season (March-October) Nontoxic soil (as determined by toxicity level soil testing) Access to dirt or site procurement of soil On site organization/school employed sponsor A minimum of 20 student program participants in grades K-5. Program duration of 16 weeks with lessons conducted twice per week or 10 weeks with lessons conducted three times per week or 6 weeks with lessons conducted five days per week. Track and monitor the progress of each program participant by evaluating (measurements) at the beginning and end of the program duration. Participant measurements include age, gender, ethnicity & score on student questionnaire. Submit a Progress Report on May 1 st of each year (2016, 2017 & 2018) with program and participant data. During year two, complete a classroom or school/site based activity that supports increased physical activity or healthy nutrition from the following options: o Seed saving and sowing such as tomatoes o Make a worm compost bin at school o Have each classroom adopt a vegetable to begin growing from seed to be used in the garden o Plan a walking event such as Walk Across Illinois o Plan a fruit and veggie taste testing event in each classroom or school/site wide and incorporate it into their lunches or a snack o Development of a school or site health & wellness council o Game/Activities period or nights as fun event/award or participate in World Wide Day of Play in September o Health fair event o Classroom physical activity contest (also can promote physical activity breaks): classes log activities done together to log most minutes and win a prize or participate in WCPHF Commit to Be Fit Contest (annually held in spring) o Activity determined by site with prior approval from WCPHF During year three, adopt a policy that supports increased physical activity or health nutrition from the following options: o Fundraising Design healthy fundraisers that create revenue for your school/site while supporting the healthy eating habits you teach. Instead of school fundraisers that sell unhealthy foods, undermining student health, try one of these alternatives: Sweet Deals Create and implement a site/school/district policy on concession stand food guidelines. Use this model policy to help: Model Concessions o Concession Stand Access sporting event snack bar and consider offering healthier options like fruit and non-sugar sweetened beverages. Here is a list of healthy options to get you started: Healthy Concession Stands o Food in the classroom/club site (snacks, rewards, and celebrations)
Create and implement a site/school/district policy that prohibits giving candy or other junk food as a reward. Use this tool for ideas on constructive classroom rewards: Constructive Classroom Rewards o Eliminate candy and junk food as a reward in the classroom. Give students rewards that do not associate eating with success or reinforce unhealthy habits. o Throw classroom parties and celebrate student accomplishments with nutritious options and activities rather than sweets. Create and implement a site/school/district policy around healthy school celebrations. Here are some ideas for having healthy celebrations: Healthy School Celebrations o o o Instead of celebrating birthdays with sugar and junk, let students choose from a menu of healthy options, such as having lunch with the teacher or having a class dance party create your own birthday menu for your class. Here is one example: Birthday Menu To minimize the number of birthday celebrations with unhealthy treats, consider celebrating all students birthdays for that month on one day Offer only healthy food and beverages in school celebrations and holiday parties use these resources to help guide your efforts: Healthy Celebrations, Healthy Holiday Parties, Healthy School Parties Create and implement a healthy snack policy and distribute a list of healthy snack options for parents Provide fruit or vegetables (fresh, frozen, dried or canned in own juices) at every meal and snack. Provide only water and unflavored low-fat (1%) or nonfat milk options at celebrations. o In the cafeteria Install a salad bar in the cafeteria Restructure the site/school schedule so recess is before lunch. Evidence shows that students with recess before lunch are hungrier, more likely to eat their entire lunch and, as a result, remain engaged for the rest of the school day Develop a site/district policy to prohibit the advertising of poor nutritional value foods or beverages on the school campus. Marketing foods of poor nutritional value at schools conflicts with schools efforts to promote a healthy nutrition environment. Use and tailor the language in this model statute to include a policy in your school's wellness policy: Model Statute Limiting Food Marketing at Schools Instead change your environment by hanging posters of healthy foods and beverages Eliminate fried foods including items like potato and corn chips, in addition to foods that are pre-fried and reheated (e.g. pre-fried french fries that are then baked, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, etc). Provide only water and unflavored low-fat (1%) or nonfat milk. o Policy determined by site with prior approval from WCPHF
Program Goals: Increased willingness to try fruits & vegetables Increased access to fruits & vegetables Increased fruit & vegetable consumption Increase physical activity levels Increased knowledge of gardening Evaluation Methods: Year One: Pre & Post Student Questionnaire; Age; Gender; Ethnicity Year Two: Narrative of site activity completed that promotes increased physical activity or healthy nutrition; Pre & Post Student Questionnaire; Age; Gender; Ethnicity Year Three: Narrative of site policy implemented that promotes increased physical activity or healthy nutrition; Pre & Post Student Questionnaire; Age; Gender; Ethnicity Materials WCPHF Will Provide to Help Implement the Program: Provision of volunteer Master Gardeners to assist with site build & maintenance (Year One thru Year Three with decreasing assistance each year) Junior Master Gardener Curriculum Seeds and/or plants for the garden (Year One) Pre- and post-test evaluation material Report format
Will County Partners for Healthy Families Application for Junior Master Gardener Program Grant Applications must be received no later than: March 15, 2015 Applications or questions should be sent to: Shannon Jermal Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center 333 N. Madison Street Joliet, IL 60435 shannon.jermal@presencehealth.org Eligibility: Eligible applicants include Will County after-school and community programs capable of conducting the project. Other eligibility requirements are as follows: Only Illinois, Will County-based organizations can compete for the grant funds Your application must be received by March 15, 2015 Applicant certification must have original signature from chief executive officer/executive director/principal Complete all sections on application Your application will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed if: The application is late The application does not include original signatures The organizational capacity or project work plan pages do not follow formatting requirements (format specifics). The organization or school does not reside in Will County, Illinois.
APPLICANT ORGANIZATION INFORMATION Only Illinois, Will County-based organizations are eligible to receive funding from the Will County Partners for Healthy Families. The organization applying for funds must have at least one full-time employee. Legal Name of Applicant Site: Name and Title of Chief Officer/Executive Director/Principal: Site Address: Name: Title: Address: Phone: E-mail: City, State, ZIP Code: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: Website: Description of applicant organization/ Mission Statement: Population organization serves: Community organization serves:
GRANT APPLICATION CONTACT INFO Grant Application Contact/Title: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: Fiscal Contact/Title: Telephone: Fax: E-mail: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY Please complete table below for the specific program you are applying for. Please address the following items in a maximum of two single-spaced pages using 10-point font. Front and back is considered two pages. 1. Please describe your detailed plans for conducting the program. How many children will be reached? Will you have any partners? How will you conduct your Junior Master Gardener Program? Will you create new program or implement within existing program? 2. Is your site currently using any existing health/wellness program? If so, please describe the program. 3. Demonstrate the need for this program within the community your organization serves & how this program will benefit the population you serve. (If applicable, describe plans to address underserved populations) 4. If applicable, what percent of your organization s children qualify for DHS free or reduced lunch?
5. What is your plan for publicizing the program and recruiting participants? How do you plan to encourage program completion and minimize dropouts? 6. How do you plan to sustain your Junior Master Gardener Program after the three year partnership concludes? 7. Upload jpeg photo of proposed garden site.
PROJECT WORKPLAN Prepare an outline for the program that defines the timeline for the planned activities and person responsible for each activity. The Project Workplan may not exceed three pages, single-spaced using 10-pt font. PROGRAM RECRUITMENT PLAN: Explain how students will be recruited into the program. If Junior Master Gardener Program will be an added component to an existing program please explain. Recruitment Activities Person Responsible Time Frame Start End PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN: Explain how the program will be implemented. Implementation must meet one of the following duration requirements: 16 weeks with lessons conducted twice per week 10 weeks with lessons conducted three times per week 6 weeks with lessons conducted five days per week Implementation Activities Person Responsible Time Frame Start End PROGRAM RETENTION PLAN: Explain what you will do to retain students for the duration of your program. Retention Activities Person Responsible Time Frame Start End
PROGRAM EVALUATION PLAN: Explain how you plan to track and monitor the progress of participants by evaluating (measurements) at the beginning and end of the program duration. Participant measurements include age, gender, ethnicity & score on student questionnaire. Evaluation Activities Person Responsible Time Frame Start End YEAR 2 ACTIVITY: What type of activity do you plan to complete in year 2. The activity must support increased physical activity or healthy nutrition. You may choose for the list of suggested activities or you may submit an original activity idea. Activity Idea Person Responsible Time Frame Start End YEAR 3 POLICY: During year three, you must adopt a policy that supports increased physical activity or health nutrition. You may choose a policy from the list of suggested policies or you may submit an original policy idea. Policy Idea Person Responsible Time Frame Start End
APPLICANT CERTIFICATION Under penalty of perjury, I certify that I have examined this application and the document(s), proposal(s), and statement(s) submitted in conjunction herewith, and that to the best of my information and belief, the information contained herein is true, accurate, correct and complete. I represent that I am the person authorized to submit this application on behalf of the applicant, and that I am authorized to execute a legally binding grant agreement on behalf of the applicant if this grant application is approved for funding. I hereby release to WCPHF the rights to use submitted photographs and/or written statements of information, regardless of the format, contained in or provided after the grant application for the purposes of WCPHF publication, unless the applicant submits a written request asking that the information not be disclosed. Grant Applicant Signature Printed Name/Title Date CEO/Executive Director/Principal Signature Printed Name/Title Date