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Nutrition and Physical Activity Self Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC)

 
The Nebraska Sponsor’s Consortium is working collaborative to promote and implement the NAP SACC program.  Each sponsoring organization has agreed to provide trainings to 300+ child care providers.  (NOTE:  a child care provider could be either a center employee or family child care provider.)
 
The NAP SACC program is a practice-based intervention project designed to enhance policies, practices and environments in child care by improving the:

• Nutritional quality of food served,
• Amount and quality of physical activity,
• Staff-child interactions, and
• Facility nutrition and physical activity policies and practices and related environmental characteristics.

Focusing on the NAP SACC goals, the Nebraska Sponsor’s Consortium, working with the Core Elements of the program, will provide:

• Organization Self-assessment.  Child care providers will assess the strengths and weaknesses of healthy eating practices and regular physical activity in their facility using the structured tool provided by DHHS.

The self-assessment will be given to each participant at the beginning of each workshop to assess their program on 14 key areas in nutrition and physical activity.  This assessment will be completed without the Consultant’s assistance.

• Continuing Education for Child Care Providers.  Conduct thirty (30) – four (4) hour workshops encompassing five (5) topics aimed at increasing child care providers’ knowledge of the relationship between nutrition, physical activity and the development of healthy weight in children, and guidelines and strategies for overcoming barriers to organizational change.

Delivery of the workshops will be tailored to meet the needs of the Consultant and facility to maximize provider participation.

• Goal Setting and Action Planning.  Each participating provider/center will set goals for organizational change and develop a plan for improving areas in greatest need and/or in areas where they are most ready and willing to make such changes.

Following the completion of the workshop, the Consultant will review the entire self-assessment instrument with the child care providers and talk about each key area.  Based on self-assessment answers, the provider will chose to improve at  least one (1) nutrition, and one (1) physical activity.  The Consultant will then assist in the development of a program specific plan with action steps to implement the specific policy, practice and environmental change they intend to address.  Providers will be challenged to make positive and sustainable improvements.

• Skill Building Activities.  The intervention will imbed skill-building activities in the workshop to allow providers to increase their confidence (self-efficacy) to make both personal lifestyle changes and program changes.

Activities outlined in the training will be utilized by the Consultant during each section of training.

• Technical Assistance and Consultation.  The Consultant will promote problem solving, link the child care providers to community resources, assist as needed, and support program change.

The Consultant will use the technical assistance materials which include:  1) the Consultant Technical Assistance Manual which provides tips for meeting best practice guidelines, potential strategies for overcoming barriers to change, guidance on the rationale for each “best practice” recommendation, and associated references and resources; 2) handouts for the child care program, and 3) handouts for parents.

• Follow-up and Reinforcement.  The Consultant will follow-up with providers by phone, email, or in-person to assess progress and document/reinforce positive changes and develop plans for continuous quality improvement. 

For a period of up to 5 weeks following the initial training, the Consultant will maintain regular contact with the training participants.  Depending upon the needs of the individuals, contacts will be made via e-mail, phone or in-person.  The Consultant will provide support and guidance in making their improvements.  If the Consultant feels that additional and/or specific materials are needed so the provider is able to make and sustain his/her improvements, the DHHS staff will be contacted so the materials could be mailed to the provider.
 

Midwest Child Care Association .
7701 Pacific Street . Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 551-2379 . (800) 876-1892

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, nation origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).  Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).   USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.