SNAP-Ed Community Partnership Funding August 10, 2015

Update 97 project briefs received! Expect to fund 10–20 contracts –statewide –variety of organizations/project types –variety of size/scope Awards are based on availability of SNAP-Ed funding Hope to work together/collaborate regardless of funding decision

Feedback Process Team Approach Reviewed by: –SNAP-Ed Regional Coordinators (with input from SNAP-Ed Educators) –Extension Educators –Extension Leadership –Jackie and Ryan

Project Brief Criteria A clear and feasible idea for addressing existing disparities in the community throughout the duration of the project. The idea incorporates PSE changes that support requirements of SNAP- Ed, which go beyond the scope of direct education. The timeframe, budget, and staffing plan are feasible in relation to the idea being proposed. The collaboration plan demonstrates knowledge of the target community, ability to work with relevant partners, and connection with Extension SNAP-Ed staff. The applicant has the capacity to manage the contract and implement the proposed plan while growing the partnership with SNAP-Ed staff throughout.

Income Eligibility SNAP-Ed serves SNAP participants, low-income individuals eligible to participate in SNAP and other means-tested Federal assistance programs, and individuals residing in communities with a significant low- income population. “Low-income” means living at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Expectations Community partners are expected to develop models for collaborative planning and delivery of SNAP-Ed programming by fall Community partners will model processes for assessing community needs, building partnerships, planning projects, and/or piloting projects. Over a 6–12-month period, each community partner will work with other organizations and individuals, including SNAP-Ed staff, to develop one idea that shows promise for improving conditions in order to facilitate healthy eating and/or increased physical activity among residents with limited financial resources. Each idea, or model, must incorporate at least two levels on the Spectrum of Prevention AND at least one of those levels must involve PSE change (levels 4, 5, or 6).

Spectrum of Prevention

Allowable Expenses Cost of food for recipe/taste testing purposes and cost of kitchen equipment and supplies necessary for food storage, preparation, and display of food prepared for demonstration purposes Food samples associated with educational lessons Costs associated with the implementation and maintenance of PSE efforts within the scope of SNAP-Ed Consultation with partner organizations on promoting organizational practice changes that support healthy food and beverages (e.g. mileage, printing materials, renting space for a community meeting, or fees for a consultant) Consultation with food retailers, farmers, food distributors, and farmers market managers on increasing access to and promotion of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy (e.g. mileage, printing materials, renting space for a community meeting, or fees for a consultant) From SNAP-Ed Guidance, pp

Allowable Expenses Community forums or meetings with SNAP-Ed recipients or service providers on healthy eating and active living Point-of-purchase or point-of-decision signage and other behavioral cues to action that promote healthy eating or physical activity choices Resource kits with strategies for adopting, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating policy, systems, and environmental changes The purchase of seeds, plants, and small gardening tools and supplies, such as fertilizer and potting soil, to assist in developing school and community food gardening projects Educational supplies, curricula, and staff salaries to teach food gardening concepts that reinforce the beneficial nutrition and physical activity aspects of food gardening From SNAP-Ed Guidance, pp

Unallowable Expenses Childcare or transportation services provided for SNAP-Ed recipients in conjunction with SNAP-Ed activities Paying individuals to participate in SNAP-Ed, including money, vouchers, or passes to offset personal costs incurred so that they may attend nutrition education and obesity prevention classes Ongoing snack or food service Meal sized portions or complete meal service Cost of food provided as groceries or supplemental food Costs associated with the establishment and maintenance of environmental or policy changes outside of the scope of SNAP-Ed, such as infrastructure, equipment, space, land, or construction Costs associated with capital improvements to retail stores, sidewalks, trails, bicycle paths, or dining facilities From SNAP-Ed Guidance, pp

Unallowable Expenses Financial incentives to community partners or retailers to support environmental or policy changes, including purchasing food for food shelves Costs for the rental or purchase of garden equipment (tractors, etc.) or the purchase or rental of land for garden plots Purchase, production, or dissemination of written or visual nutrition education and obesity prevention messages, that are not consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate Salaries for retail store staff, farmers market managers, or food service workers for service operations License or permit fees for farmers markets or food retailers From SNAP-Ed Guidance, pp

Unallowable Expenses Organized efforts to influence elected officials and lobbying for legislative/policy changes Purchase or production of written or visual material for purposes of lobbying or influencing Federal, State, or local officials to pass or sign legislation or to influence the outcomes of an election, referendum, or initiative Expenditures for equipment that exceeds prior approval thresholds, i.e., $5,000 per unit, unless prior approval is received from FNS (unlikely) From SNAP-Ed Guidance, pp

Proposals Full proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on August 24, Send proposals to Jackie Billhymer, The proposal document must be no more than 10 pages excluding attachments. The full proposal must be presented in one PDF document, with consecutively numbered pages. Text must be no smaller than 11-point font. Please review pages 7–10 of the RFP for instructions on how to complete the proposal.

Review Process Committee members will request additional information, as needed, and make recommendations for funding. A committee composed of staff from: University of Minnesota Extension Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Department of Human Services Three stages for final approval: University of Minnesota Extension Minnesota Department of Human Services USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Proposal Criteria Meet the requirements of the RFP, including use of relevant data as evidence for the need and feasibility of the proposed idea, and adherence to federal SNAP-Ed Guidance. Time frame, budget, and staffing plan are feasible relative to the idea being proposed. Demonstrate that the proposed idea is part of a larger, longer-term plan for sustainable change. Include a collaboration plan that demonstrates knowledge of the community, ability to work with relevant partners, and connection with Extension SNAP-Ed staff. Demonstrate that the applicant has the capacity to manage the contract and implement the proposed plan.

Conditions of Community Partners Participate in a November 2015 meeting (travel costs paid under the contract), monthly online check-in meetings, and an April 2016 workshop (travel costs paid under the contract). Provide brief quarterly reports of activities and progress and an end-of- project report. Work in collaboration with SNAP-Ed staff. Participate in evaluation by Extension staff. Meet the requirements of the SNAP-Ed Guidance, including assurance that activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable federal laws, rules, and regulations, including Office for Civil Rights rules and the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Grant Guidance (previously the OMB circulars).

Cost-Reimbursement Contracts Costs to be reimbursed under this contract may be incurred only after a contract has been approved. Payment of invoices for reimbursement can begin only upon full execution of a contract with University of Minnesota. Reimbursement will take place on a quarterly basis.

Letters of Support Encouraged by not required. Extension Health and Nutrition staff can not provide letters of support. This includes: –SNAP-Ed Educators –SNAP-Ed Regional Coordinators –Extension Educators –Health and Nutrition Leadership Since the funding opportunity is coming from the Extension Health and Nutrition Program, there is a conflict of interest in our staff writing letters of support for certain proposals. It’s ok to ask Extension or University staff outside of Health and Nutrition.

Timeline August 24, 5 p.m. — Full Proposals Due September 11 — Projects selected October — Target for contracts to begin November 17 — Kick-off Meeting for organizations and SNAP-Ed staff April 7–8, 2016 — Workshop for organizations and SNAP-Ed staff September 30, 2016 — Contracts end

Resources Available at Request for Proposals Project Examples Regional Food Access Profiles SNAP-Ed Guidance Spectrum of Prevention information PSE 101 webinar Minnesota Food Charter information

Questions Ryan Johnson / Jackie Billhymer /

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