APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
Instructions:
Please read all the instructions before completing the application. If you’d like to ask a question, contact Ellen Smith via email or by phone at (512) 776-2140.
The following steps will guide you through the application process:
STEP 1 – Selecting the Correct Application
STEP 2 – Understanding the Minimum Submission Requirements
STEP 3 – Completing the Application
STEP 4 – A Word About Supporting Documentation
STEP 5 – Deadline to Apply and How To Submit Your Application
STEP 6 – Helpful Checklist
STEP 1 – Selecting the Correct Application - If applicable, you may apply for more than one.
- The REACHING FOR EXCELLENCE AWARD APPLICATION should be completed for schools or districts that would like to BEGIN A NEW PROGRAM or initiative using the funds provided from this award to address the health needs of students, staff or the school community .
- The DISCOVERY AWARD APPLICATION should be completed for schools or districts with initiatives CURRENTLY IN PLACE that address the health needs of students, staff or the school community and the program has not won this award in the past..
NOTE: If the program you are submitting for the Discovery Award is targeted to middle or high school students, you will automatically be considered for the AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT.
- The VANGUARD AWARD APPLICATION is available for schools and districts whose program is currently in place, is a PREVIOUS WINNER of an Award for Excellence and address the health needs of students, staff or the school community .
NOTE: If the program you are submitting for the Vanguard Award is targeted to middle or high school students, you will automatically be considered for the AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT.
- The AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT is only available to those applying for the Discovery or Vanguard awards. If your program or initiative is targeted to middle or high school students, and you have school or district-level programs or initiatives currently in place that have been successful in reducing obesity by promoting nutrition and physical activity to adolescents, you are eligible. There is not a separate application for this award. You are automatically registered as an applicant if you meet the requirements stated above.
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STEP 2 - Understanding the Minimum Submission Requirements
- Requirements for Reaching for Excellence Award applicants only - Your application will be considered for an award only if you meet the following requirements:
- The program or initiative you describe in your application must be
- one that does not yet exist; or,
- is less than a complete school year old and without final results; or,
- an expansion of an existing, current program or initiative
- The program or initiative must
- meet the description in your application
- reflect one or more organizaed activities or projects taking place in your school or district that addresses the health needs of students and/or staff, and/or the school community.
- Evidence of your district’s School Health Advisory Council’s approval of the new program or initiative must be presented.
- Requirements for DISCOVERY Award applicants - Your application will be considered for an award only if you meet the following requirements:
- You must have a currently active school or district health program that has been in place for at least the current school year.
- The program currently in place, must meet the description in your application.
- The program must reflect one or more organized initiatives, activities or projects taking place in your school or district that address the health needs of students and/or staff, and/or the school community.
- Requirements for VANGUARD Award applicants - Your application will be considered for an award only if you meet the following requirements:
- The program submitted for consideration should be an extension of the program for which you won your previous Award for Excellence.
- The program submitted must be active and in place for at least the current school year
- The program currently in place, must meet the description in your application.
- The program must reflect one or more organized initiatives, activities or projects taking place in your school or district that addresses the health needs of students and/or staff, and/or the school community.
- Each section of the application should show the improvements you have made in terms of the expansion and/or improvements and/or enhancements of your program in one or more of the following areas:
- Improved support or commitment of resources.
- Integration of program activities in terms of Coordinated School Health (CSH).
- Expansion of efforts to institutionalize, broaden or replicate program; internally and/or externally into the community or other campuses.
- Development of evaluation tools for the refinement of program objectives and implementation.
- Improvement of techniques/processes and/or, effect of collaboration within the district and/or the community.
- Effective use of your Award for Excellence money should be specifically noted in appropriate application sections in terms of development, enhancement or improvements to your award winning program.
- Additionally – Those completing a Discovery or Vanguard award application will be automatically considered for an AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT if the following requirement is applicable. This requirement is in addition to the requirements already outlined on the Discovery and Vanguard applications as previously described.
- The program submitted for consideration must be a school or district-level program or initiative currently in place that has been successful in reducing obesity in adolescents through innovative and effective school programs that promote good nutrition and physical activity.
The next topic will give you the general instructions for completing the application.
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STEP 3 - Completing the Application
- Read all of the questions before writing responses.
- Be sure your responses address the questions for each section.
- Do not refer the reader to another question or outside source for an answer. Each answer should be complete within itself.
- Be concise and use bullets when appropriate.
- General Instructions for Completing the Application:
- Select the appropriate application type for your program. Refer to Step 1 to determine which of the applications would apply.
- Provide all of the contact information requested.
- The application must be completed electronically. You can fax or mail your application only if email is not an option.
- Before completing electronically, download the application on your personal computer. This is a Word document. Keep it in Word. Do not change it to a PDF.
- The space provided for your responses is only a guide. It may be expanded to a reasonable size to allow you to provide an adequate response.
- DO NOT RE-TYPE! Use the format and text provided to formulate your responses.
NOTE: If the format changes as a result of the boxes expanding because the amount of information exceeded the space allowed, THAT’S OK.
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STEP 4- A Word About Supporting Documentation
- Supporting documentation refers to items such as letters of support, press releases, photos, sample curricula, flyers, brochures, CDs, supporting research etc. related to the program described in your application.
- Supporting documentation should not be a replacement for answers to questions on the application and will not be accepted as such.
- With the exception of the letter from the School Health Advisory Council required for Reaching for Excellence applicants, supporting documentation is entirely optional and does not count towards your score.
- You may, however, submit supporting documentation if
- you feel it will help the judges to better understand your program; or
- your video, CD or workbook, etc. IS the program.
- If you mail supporting documentation you may either:
- mail your application with it instead of emailing it, or
- reference your application if you sent it or are sending it electronically so staff will know to which application the supporting documentation belongs.
The next topic tells you how to submit your application.
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STEP 5 - Deadline To Apply and How To Submit Your Application
- Deadline: The deadline for submitting 2011 applications is Friday, October 7, 2011.
- Applications submitted electronically:
- Under the email subject heading; type the following: 2011 Awards for Excellence Application.
- Attach your application and any supporting documents you may wish to send that can be emailed,
- Email your application to Ellen Smith at ellen.smith@dshs.state.tx.us.
- Applications submitted electronically must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, Friday, October 7, 2011. Applications received electronically after that time/date will not be accepted.
- You will receive a reply within the week we received your e-mail to confirm we received your application in good order.
- Documents submitted by fax or mail:
- An application can be faxed or mailed only if email is not an option.
- Fax your application to Ellen Smith at 512-776-7555.
- Applications and/or supporting documentation submitted by mail must be stamped as received by the Department of State Health Services mailroom no later than 5:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, Friday, October 7, 2011. Applications marked received after that time/date will not be considered.
Applications:
Click on an application type below to open up the application that best fits your program (See Step 1). Copy the application to your personal computer before completing. Do not change or retype the application.
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STEP 6: Helpful Checklist:
- You are using the correct application
- You have provided all information requested on the contact information section on the first page of the application.
- You have responded to all the questions on the application.
- You will be transmitting your application within the deadline and via email.
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