Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Component A - Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Component B - Physical Activity and Nutrition Center of Excellence

The New York State Department of Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention, Bureau of Community Chronic Disease Prevention (BCCDP), State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) Program, announces the availability of $5,199,482 annually in New York State funds to provide services in priority communities to implement evidence-based nutrition and physical activity strategies and collaboratively leverage local, regional, or state investments, partnerships, coalitions, and resources from a variety of sectors to help reduce health disparities in chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity) related to poor nutrition and physical inactivity. All proposed activities will use policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) approaches in collaboration with key partnerships and community engagement that support nutrition and physical activity. This RFA includes health equity approaches and addresses social determinants of health that influence health for all New Yorkers, especially those most impacted by chronic diseases in priority populations throughout New York State (NYS).

The Department seeks applications that focus on strategies to: 1) promote the adoption of food service and nutrition guidelines for regional or system-level organizations; 2) expand or enhance existing fruit and vegetable incentive programs; 3) implement physical activity and nutrition best practices in early care and education (ECE) programs; 4) increase opportunities for physical activity through community design to connect activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations; and 5) develop and implement local school wellness policies focusing on nutrition, physical activity, social and emotional climate, and mental health. This approach supports the CDC New York State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (2023-2028), A Strategic Approach to Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at-risk for Diabetes (2023-2028), and the New York State Department of Health Prevention Agenda (2025-2030).

Under this RFA, the Department intends to have statewide reach in all five (5) regions of the state through 15 community-level Grantees for Component A and one (1) Physical Activity and Nutrition Center of Excellence (PANCE) Grantee for Component B to provide training and technical assistance to Component A Grantees including health equity approaches. Component A Grantees will work with partners and decision-makers to establish and support sustainable healthy communities and schools as places where it is easier to engage in healthy behaviors. Grantees will leverage other community resources and funding necessary to implement the initiative and sustain changes. The anticipated total amount of State funding is $25,997,410 over a five-year contract term, $5,199,482 annually, for up to 15 Component A contracts and one (1) Component B contract to support services described within this RFA. It is expected that contracts resulting from this RFA will have the following time period: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2031.

Minimum Eligibility:

Component A:

1. Eligible Applicant must be prequalified in the NYS Statewide Financial System (SFS), if not exempt, on the date and time Applications in response to this Request for Applications (RFA) are due as specified in the “Key Dates” set forth on the Cover Page of this RFA.
2. Eligible Applicant must be either a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or a municipal governmental agency in NYS. Eligible organizations may include, but are not limited to: local health department, hospital, health care system, primary care network, academic institution, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) agency, Cornell Cooperative Extension agency, community-based organization, early care and education agencies or organization, faith-based organization, volunteer association, and professional association.
3. Eligible Applicant must be authorized to do business in NYS and have executive offices located in NYS.
4. Eligible Applicant must be an organization currently providing public health services in the Applicant’s service region which would include the proposed catchment area which is defined as the geographical area encompassing the priority community(ies) and population(s) the applicant proposes to serve through this grant.
5. Eligible Applicant must submit Attachment 12 – Application Cover Sheet and Eligibility Attestation signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or another authorized individual designated to sign on behalf of the organization, to certify the Applicant meets all minimum qualifications.

Component B:

1. Eligible Applicant must be prequalified in the NYS Statewide Financial System (SFS), if not exempt, on the date and time Applications in response to this Request for Applications (RFA) are due as specified in the “Key Dates” set forth on the Cover Page of this RFA.
2. Eligible Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization including, but not limited to: public health, human service, and educational organizations; academic institutions, professional associations, tribal organizations, planning organizations, and volunteer organizations.
3. Eligible Applicant must submit Attachment 17 – Subcontractor Letter of Commitment as proof of a committed partnership with at least one organization/consultant headquartered in New York State, or an organization/consultant headquartered in another US state that provides services nationwide across multiple US states, both with documented experience providing direct training or technical assistance services or consultation for the types of community or school strategies described in Section III. Project Narrative/Work Plan Outcomes, Scope of Work, Major Tasks.
4. Eligible Applicant must submit Attachment 12 – Application Cover Sheet and Eligibility Attestation signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or another authorized individual designated to sign on behalf of the organization, to certify the Applicant meets all minimum qualifications.

RFA 20667 - Creating Healthy Schools and Communities

addendum_1.pdf