The Georgia Department of Public Health, in partnership with the governor's SHAPE initiative, is awarding grants to public elementary, middle and high schools to expand and enhance their efforts to address the Georgia School Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Act and the USDA's Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HKFKA).

The grant program offers two options: Planning Grants for up to $3,000 in funding or Implementation Grants for up to $5,000 in funding.

Schools applying for planning grants are required to form or re-activate a health team or council (e.g., school wellness council); conduct an assessment using one of the two assessment tools described below; develop a physical activity and/or nutrition improvement plan that includes priorities based on the results of the assessment; participate in training and technical assistance sessions provided by this grant program; develop a strategy for implementing programs/activities that address the top three priorities identified in the plan; and conduct an evaluation of the planning process.

Schools applying for implementation grants are required to provide documentation that an established health team or council (e.g., school wellness council) is active and detail its membership; submit documentation that a health-related needs assessment has been completed; list the findings of the assessment; submit a copy of an existing physical activity and nutrition improvement plan, developed based on the results of the needs assessment; participate in training and technical assistance sessions provided by this grant program; implement programs/activities that address at least one of the top three priority areas identified in the plan; conduct an evaluation; and share successes and best practices. 

Application Due Date: 11:59 p.m., September 28, 2012
Anticipated Award Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Performance Period: October 2012 to August 2013

For more details and to apply, visit http://www.georgiashape.org/grants. Questions should be sent to Reginald Tooley II at retooley@dhr.state.ga.us.

-Story by DPH Communications