Growing Self-Reliant Communities: Farm to ECE Capacity Grant Application
The Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA) seeks to support 10-50 Early Learning programs in Pennsylvania to increase their capacity to implement farm to ECE strategies that help meet the needs of children and families during and after the COVID 19 pandemic.
Now, more than ever, farm to ECE strategies can promote long-term equity and resiliency in our communities and shared food systems. Farm to School practices include activities that fall under three main categories: food and agriculture education, hands-on gardening, community links to the local farming sectors and use of local foods for meals, taste tests or events. Farm to school works well in all types of early care and education settings, inclusive of, but not limited to, preschools, Head Start programs centers, family Head Start programs homes, home-visiting, Head Start/ Early Head Start and programs in K-12 school districts. Farm to ECE activities support healthy eating habits, a connection to local food and agricultural communities, and teach children how food grows.
We want programs to be able to take their next steps to implement more Farm to Early Learning activities using these grant funds in 2021. We understand know that all implementation dates of grant activities may need to be revised based on how the ongoing Pandemic is impacting our families, staff and program now and in 2021. We will be flexible with all grant implementation dates.
PHSA expects each grantee to complete the Go NAPSAC farm to early learning self assessment to assist in programs reviewing their strengths and where they might improve their farm to early care and education capacity.
PHSA is partnering with The Food Trust to offer technical assistance with select program’s grant planning and implementation.
All grants applications must be completed using the Ready, Set, Grow, Racial Equity Framework.
Timeline
March 10 Second Round RFP Released
April 15 Application Due
April 21 Awards announced
Please review application instructions and submission requirements here:
http://www.pareadysetgrow.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PHSA-Capacity-Grant-RFA-and-Application-Round-Two.pdf
If you have questions or are interested in applying but feel you need assistance with any aspect of the application, please contact:
Blair Hyatt
Pennsylvania Head Start Association
blair@paheadstart.org