• Activated Childcare Challenge Assessment

    2026 Activated Childcare Challenge is now open through September 28, 2026.

  • The Activated Child Care Challenge works with child care providers in order to make their environments healthier by adopting guidelines that promote health and wellness. This challenge is powered by a collaboration between Mercy Health and Activate Allen County.

    The challenge begins in the assessment phase. This application is your assessment. Once completed, you may receive technical assistance from AAC staff to create an action plan on the applicable areas to create improvements to your facility in the areas of physical, nutritional, mental and/or behavioral health. Sustainable improvement is a required component of funded action plans. Approved projects will be funded from $500 to up to $1,000 to implement their plan.

    If you desire to participate in this potential funding opportunity, please proceed in submitting this assessment form. Please fill it out to the best of your ability. At the end, you will have the opportunity to share how you would like to use this funding to improve an aspect of your enviroment. This assessment should take about 30 minutes to complete. The information you provide will be kept confidential. Your name will never be associated with any answer you provide. If you have questions about this assessment, please contact:

    Kayla Monfort- kmonfort@activateallencounty.com

    2026 Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until September 28, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

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  • Breastfeeding

    These and the following sections questions are evidenced based and based on Go NAPSACC guidelines. Go NAPSACC is based on a set of best practices that stem from the latest research and guidelines in the field. After completing this assessment, you will be able to see your program’s strengths and areas for improvement, and use this information to plan healthy changes. 

  • 1. Does your program have a quiet and comfortable space* set aside for mothers to breastfeed or express breast milk (other than a bathroom)?*
  • 2. How often can your program provide enough refrigerator and/or freezer space for all breastfeeding mothers to store expressed breast milk?*
  • 3. In your building, where are posters, brochures, children’s books, and other materials that promote breastfeeding displayed?*
  • 4. Do you believe every effort is made to support mothers who provide breast milk for their infants?*
  • 5. How often do teachers and staff receive professional development* on promoting and supporting breastfeeding?*

  • Child Nutrition

  • 1. Is food provided by your center for meals and snacks? If no, skip to question 4.*
  • 3. Do you ever have issues with providing all necessary healthy options to meet nutritional standards?
  • 4. How often is water available to children?*
  • 5. How often are sugary drinks offered? (Sugary drinks include Kool-Aid, fruit drinks, sweet tea, sports drinks, and soda*
  • 6. Are new foods introduced to children and encouraged to be consumed?*

  • PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

  • 1. Which of the following does your program offer in the indoor play space? Check all that apply.*
  • 2. Does your center offer an outdoor play space for age appropriate children?*
  • 3. Which of the following topics have been included in professional development for current staff on children’s physical activity? Check all that apply.*

  • 4. Which of the following topics are included in your written policy* on physical activity?*

  • 5. What is the role that teachers take during children's physically active playtime?*
  • 6. Which of the following portable play equipment* does your program have available and in good condition for children to use indoors?*

  • MENTAL/EMOTIONAL HEALTH
  • 3. What strategies do you use to create a positive environment for children? (check all that apply)*
  • 4. What measures do you take to provide mental health awareness among staff? (check all that apply)*

  • SCREEN TIME/ORAL HEALTH

  • 1. Where are screens used by children located?*

  • 2. Do you have a written policy concerning screen time use for your center?*
  • 4. Does your center provide time for tooth brushing?*

  • 5. Does your childcare center provide provider or family education regarding proper oral health and hygiene and the potential health concerns that potentially occur from lack of proper oral health?*

  • Activated Childcare Challenge Awards range from $500-$1000 based on number of applications, individual budgets and criteria met. The final item needed for submission is your action plan and budget. Activate staff will email these documents to all who apply with 48 business hours of this submission. Without a final action plan and budget, your application IS NOT considered final.

     

  • Your Survey is Complete! Thank you!!

    Please click the Submit Button to send your response to us.

    Next steps include:

    1. Team will review your responses.

    2. Activate staff will send over an action plan and budget document to you. This will need emailed to Kayla Monfort- kmonfort@activateallencounty.com as the final part of your application.

    3. Team will contact you to set up a meeting or phone conversation to answer any questions you have and discuss your ideas for the use of the funds. We will work together to determine where improvements can be made based on your resources and interests and assist you as needed to create your action plan/budget.

    3. Septmeber 28, 2026- ALL materials are due (this includes the budget document) and final grant decisions and notifications will be made within the following 2 weeks.

    4. For those selected for funding- more details will be provided about check delivery and award promotion.

    We look forward to meeting you and working with you soon!

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