Access NCA Nutrition Education with Head Start Supplemental Funds

Sample Grant or Grant Letter Text

Ensuring a healthy foundation for children begins with access to nutritious meals and proper nutrition education. As an organization committed to supporting the well-being of children enrolled in Head Start programs, we recognize the critical role that the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) plays in fostering healthy development. Nutrition education is a core component in equipping early childhood educators and caregivers with the knowledge they need to instill healthy eating habits and create lasting positive change in children’s lives.

The National CACFP Association (NCA) provides exceptional training and resources that directly address this need. Their expert-developed content, evidence-based practices, and practical tools empower staff within Head Start to better understand nutritional guidelines, meal pattern compliance, and how to effectively communicate healthy habits to families. By integrating NCA’s training offerings into our program framework, we ensure that our Head Start staff are prepared not only to feed children but to nourish their development with knowledge.

Through this grant opportunity, we seek to expand our staff’s access to NCA’s nutrition education and professional development resources, thereby enhancing the quality of care and education our young learners receive. This investment will elevate our program standards and strengthen our implementation of strong nutrition standards through targeted and impactful training support.

Sample Project Narrative

Project Overview: [Head Start Organization] seeks to implement a comprehensive nutrition and professional development training program that yields measurable benefits in child health outcomes, ensures program integrity, and adheres to Head Start nutrition standards.

Goal 1: Improve Nutrition Education Competency and Program Compliance

Strategy 1: [Head Start Organization] will send key staff to the National Child Nutrition Conference, a nationally recognized training that provides over 100 educational sessions, expert insights, USDA led sessions and practical strategies directly relevant to Head Start staff. With educational tracks focused on Head Start, Farm to CACFP, CACFP Meal Pattern and Nutrition Education Best Practices. Attendance supports the development of staff expertise in CACFP compliance, menu planning, local food integration and nutrition education.

Strategy 2: Complementing the conference experience, Head Start staff will participate in various targeted educational virtual events, which provide flexible access to on-demand training opportunities.

• • Farm to CACFP Boot Camp – a one-day training focused on increasing the use of local foods in Head Start nutrition programs.
  • Head Start Boot Camp – a one-day training specifically for Head Start with sessions that align with Head Start nutrition performance standards and showcase best practices.
  • Special Diets Boot Camp – a one-day training to address the specific needs of child in early childhood who require special meal modifications.
  • Annual CACFP Training – a 2-hour comprehensive training outlining the requirements of the USDA Child and Adult Care program.
  • CACFP Virtual Summit – a 10-hour training featuring best nutrition and program compliance practices.

Both the live and virtual platforms offered by NCA are invaluable in maintaining compliance, elevating program quality, and fostering a deep commitment to nutritional excellence.

Goal 2: Integrate High-Quality Program-Compliant Nutrition Education Resources

Include NCA-developed nutrition and program resources into our day-to-day operations. These resources serve as quick references to CACFP requirements and best practices. Utilizing these resources strengthens program-wide compliance and incorporates best practices during meal service.