In 2019, Twin Falls was awarded a Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health Community Transformation Grant to initiate projects that improve the health of our children by increasing the physical activity and access to healthy, affordable foods.
In order to better understand the needs of the community, a needs assessment survey was conducted that included over 800 parents and 1,500 youth in the Twin Falls School District. The assessment was conducted to showcase how Twin Falls parents/guardians and youth feel regarding access to healthy eating and physical activity, to determine the greatest barriers to both, and their perception of support surrounding healthy eating and physical activity.
Respondents cited the following as the greatest barriers to increased physical activity:
- Lack of physical activities available outside of school
- Expense of physical activities
- Stronger interest in technology/lack of interest in physical activity
- Limitations of winter weather
- Social pressures
When asked about barriers to healthy and nutritious food, the main barriers to either access or ability to engage in healthy eating were:
- Cost
- Availability
- Convenience of pre-packaged food
- Lack of preparation time
The assessment also indicated a strong desire among parents and students for education to learn about healthful eating habits, gardening and meal preparation classes, as well as activities outside organized sports, outdoor activities, and less time with technology. These are just a few of our findings, for more information and findings of the Twin Falls Community Snapshot, visit: https://www.tfid.org/766/Community-Transformation-Grant
FOCUS ON CHANGE
Transformation change requires seeing a system as a sum of its parts. Successful applicants will focus on the gears of change – program, policy, project, partnership.
PROGRAM
Outreach, education and behavior change activities; events and education; pop-ups, demonstrations, and trials.
POLICY
Ordinances, rules, regulations, practices, and procedures. Public policies include zoning codes, subdivision rules and regulations, site design guidelines, roadway design standards, etc.; Private policies include farmers market regulations, school wellness policies, worksite policies, etc.
PROJECT
Changes to physical infrastructure and the built environment; vending and concession options, garden or market space, food labeling, pricing strategies, etc.
PARTNERSHIP
Engaged organizations and community members with aligned resources working together toward a common goal (i.e. to improve youth access to healthy, affordable food and increased physical activity).
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES
The City of Twin Falls, acting as a fiscal agent for the grant, is seeking proposals from community non-profit organizations interested in the development and implementation of projects specific to improving the health of children by enhancing access to healthy, affordable foods and/or providing opportunities for physical activity. Applicants must be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status granted by the Internal Revenue Service, a federally recognized tribe or a governmental entity such as a school or health district.
Approximately $50,000 of the award will go to support one or more subgrants under the Access to Healthy Foods and Physical Activity Program component of the Community Transformation Grant. More than one subgrant may be awarded. Grants through this program will range from $5,000 to $50,000.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
- Applications will be accepted from October 5th, 2020 to October 30th, 2020.
- Organizations will be notified of final grant decisions the week of December 4th, 2020.
- Grant awards are to be spent between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
PREFERENCES
Preference shall be given to proposals that demonstrate:
COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND IMPACT
Programs, projects or policies that will achieve long-term measurable community benefits in improving the health of children by addressing access to healthy, affordable food and/or by furthering awareness thereof, or creating or increasing access to physical activities and overall wellness.
TIMELINESS
Programs that are positioned to move forward in the near term and commit to significant milestones.
PARTNERSHIPS
Respondents with a demonstrated capacity to leverage partnerships and a proven ability to develop high quality projects.
SUSTAINABILITY
Programs that demonstrate the ability to maintain management and operational funding well after implementation.
MATCH
Though it is not a requirement, the City encourages respondents to demonstrate their ability to provide in-kind or matching funds.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested organizations shall submit their response to the RFP, including a letter of interest outlining response requirements and preferences identified below. Please limit responses to no more than 5 pages.
1. Identify the total funds requested and clear budget for the project as well as the overall organizational budget, including administrative and implementation costs and leveraged in-kind or cash matching funds.
2. Clearly identify how your project is intended to enhance youth access to and/or furthering awareness of healthy, affordable food and physical activity and any foreseeable challenges anticipated.
3. Identify and describe the community stakeholder’s organization, including organization’s name, corporation name (if applicable) or business name, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and the name of the primary organization contact.
4. Describe the organization’s relevant project experience, as applicable. The City is most interested in assessing the organization’s experience in leveraging partnerships and funds.
5. Identify quantifiable and qualitative project milestones and outcomes and how they will be tracked.
A copy of the organization’s tax-exempt status must also be provided as well as letters of support and commitment from any partnering organizations.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Evaluation of RFP responses will be based upon the:
- Degree to which the proposal meets the RFP requirements and preferences
- Programs that will measure impact and directly improve the health of youth in the community
- Demonstrated ability to sustain the program after implementation
- Ability to track and report on qualitative and quantitative program benchmarks and outcomes
- How the project/program will directly impact the goals of the program (increasing physical activity and access to healthy, nutritious foods
- Leveraged funding in the form of in-kind and cash match
Application finalists may be asked to present their proposals to the Impact Team and respond to any questions the Impact Team may have.
The Twin Falls Community Transformation Grant Impact Team will provide the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health with their recommendations on final proposal awards prior to entering into contractual agreement with awarded organizations. Subawards are contingent upon approval by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.