M-DCPS Accepts $2.9 Million Health Grant Promoting Well-Being Of Students, Community

M-DCPS ACCEPTS $2.9 MILLION HEALTH GRANT PROMOTING
WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS, COMMUNITY

MIAMI – Miami-Dade County School Board accepted a grant by entering into a new contract with the Miami-Dade County Health Department, in the approximate amount of $2,917,805, for the Communities Putting Prevention to Work Program for a period of two years. The Health Department submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a Cooperative Agreement under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Earlier this year, the Board approved a resolution proposed by Vice Chair Perla Tabares Hantman recognizing the efforts of the 22 community health partners that collaborated with the District on this grant.

The Communities Putting Prevention to Work Program incorporates the following components:

an extra period, elective course of physical education under adult education offered at all high schools
the expansion of the Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) Program, a research-based curriculum aimed at increasing the quantity and quality of daily physical activity, as well as improving nutrition, at all elementary schools
an employee wellness center
a Farm-to-School Program aimed at increasing the availability of local foods in the cafeteria menus at all K-12 school sites and
reimbursable vending machines stocking fresh and healthy complete meals will be provided on all high school campuses.

For further information, please contact Iraida R. Mendez-Cartaya, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Grants Administration, and Community Services, at 305-995-2532.