HSBS announces RFP to Head Start centers nationwide

Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) today announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to Head Start centers nationwide. Approximately $2 million is available through the HSBS Play Space Grant Awards to improve Head Start centers' outdoor play spaces with an emphasis on creating an environment that helps to increase physical play. Grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to Head Start centers nationwide.  Proposals are due on or before April 30, 2011, and recipients will be notified of their award status by June 1, 2011.

To provide guidance to Head Start centers, and to maximize the impact of the grants, HSBS has developed the 2011 HSBS Preferred Vendor Catalog (PVC), which provides vendors that offer discounts or value-added packages on safe and developmentally appropriate products for grant award recipients. The PVC will be posted on the HSBS website as a valuable resource for Head Start Play Space Grant award winners who are selecting equipment and materials for their outdoor play space.

Funds will be paired with targeted training and technical assistance from HSBS including on-site consultation from a physical activity expert and access to on-line trainings.

Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) is a project of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR), which are associations of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).  Funding for HSBS is provided by the Office of Head Start/Administration for Children and Families/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The purpose of HSBS is to increase physical activity, outdoor play, a connection to nature, and healthy eating among Head Start and Early Head Start children, families and staff.  HSBS will assist Head Start programs in creating healthy learning environments, both in and outside the classroom, through structured and unstructured physical activity that leads to the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of young children and reduces obesity and its associated costs.