Early Care and Education Physical Activity Initiative Application

Note: The Commission has not approved a new round of the Early Care and Education Physical Activity Initiative Application for FY 2020-2021.

First 5 Imperial is allocating at total of $100,000 for the purpose of offering Child Care/Preschool Sites within Imperial County the opportunity to request funding that would support an increase in physical fitness activities young children can participate in through outdoor play. Funding from the Early Care and Education Physical Activity Initiative will be made available to those sites that specifically target children 0-5 years of age and demonstrate a need for outdoor play equipment. The purpose ofthis application is to provide limited financial assistance intended to support the healthy development and increased physical activities of children by encouraging more outdoor play in supervised settings.

This application can be downloaded at the following link:

• Early Care and Education Physical Activity Application

In addition, the Commission recognizes the demand to support these types of activities particularly where such a contribution would cover the cost for expenses incurred by Child Care/Preschool sites for which there are limited funds and/or no other source of funding.  The First 5 Imperial recognizes the importance of providing financial assistance to early care and education settings designed to offer services that benefit the lives of young children, and values local efforts to support the community, facilitate education, inform families, offerdirect services to benefit children, and provide materials and resources in best-practice settings.

In order to be considered for an award under this application, the following criteria must be met:

• A complete Early Care and Education Physical Activity Application must be submitted in a timely manner;
• The request must be submitted by the Owner, Fiscal Agent, or Agency representing the early care and education setting;
• The need for outdoor play equipment must be articulated in a manner that specifically demonstrates how these funds will be used to support an increase in physical activities for children 0-5 years of age;
• Submit complete and appropriate budget details;
• Agree to submit an invoice to the Commission for the purchase of the approved outdoor play equipment identified in the application ;
• State the availability of any other funding available for the proposed need for outdoor play equipment, materials and/or training and guarantee of non-supplantation of funds (the Commission my require certification of non-supplantation by the third party source, such as a funder or property owner);
  and g) agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless First 5 Imperial and its agents, and maintain liability insurance coverage.