Capacity building

The process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive.

Coordination and continuity of care

Providing coordinated and collaborative health education, prevention and specialty services to meet patient needs in an efficient manner. Generally coordination of care reduces duplication of service and effort for providers and enhances service to patients. Examples include but are not limited to: creation of or participation in community collaborations focusing on shared services and developing or utilizing shared medical records or organized delivery systems.

Environmental or policy change

Change in the physical environment (such as addition of a walking trail) or organizational practices (such as a church food policy that prohibits serving or selling fried foods). For our purposes, these changes should support healthy, active living or improve access to medical care.

Evidence-based

Previous experience or scientific evidence that your proposed strategy or activities will produce the desired result. For our purposes, evidence-based practice includes “promising practices.” Evidence-based and promising practices integrate the best available research, practical experience and knowledge of patient or client populations to determine the best approach to achieve a specific result with an individual or population.

What this means for the grantee – you do not need scientific research to support your strategy or project proposal (but if you have it, include it). Foundation program managers use their subject matter expertise or consult with other experts to evaluate programs for evidence-based components. While not all proposed programs will necessarily be based on previous work, the Foundation strongly encourages applicants to consider existing successful programs when developing their proposal. This helps ensure that the “dose” of activity you are providing is strong enough and will be administered long enough to create behavioral change.

For example, one recommended (and evidence-based) strategy for achieving increased physical activity is Active Living by Design’s 5P Model. The model integrates 5 P's: Preparation, Promotion, Programs, Policy Influence and Physical Projects, as a way to comprehensively promote active living in communities. Active Living by Design is a national project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Health care safety-net organizations

Organizations that have as their central goal providing medical care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Examples include, but are not limited to, community and migrant health centers, rural health centers, local health departments, free clinics, hospitals, Community Care programs, health outreach workers, and school-based or school-linked health centers.

Healthy food

Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, low fat dairy products, and snacks with reduced amounts or no refined sugars, hydrogenated fats, and sodium. Healthy food also refers to food preparation methods such as baking or steaming (vs. frying) and to balanced meal choices designed to achieve the My Pyramid daily intake suggestions see www.mypyramid.gov.

Measurable results

Measurable results are specific and quantifiable outcomes of your proposed program. Generally, but not always, these can be measured by changes in participants’ or patients’ health. In each of our focus areas, we are seeking specific results which are outlined in the detailed focus area description.

Medically underserved

Individuals who do not have access to sufficient health resources (manpower and/or facilities) to meet their medical needs.

Preventive health care guidelines

Exams, screenings and interventions recommended to identify or prevent the onset of chronic or acute health conditions. Commonly recommended medical care relevant to specific populations includes education, exams, screenings, and prevention measures.

Promising practice

Activities that have been effective when implemented in the field but are not proven effective or tested by research. Promising practices should be based on past successful programs addressing a similar setting and population.

Rural communities

Located in counties defined as rural by the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center. See maps by county. 

School day

The time immediately before, during or immediately after school hours; and can also include programs that serve children during “track-out” period for year-round schools. Programs to increase physical activity and access to healthy food during the school day do not have to take place on school property (e.g., YMCAs, recreation centers, Boys and Girls Clubs sites, etc.).

Signature programs

Special programs or initiatives supported or implemented by the Foundation on an ongoing basis. These programs range from a physical activity and nutrition curriculum for preschool children to community capacity building workshops. Our signature programs are freestanding, ongoing and separate from our grant making.

Vulnerable populations

Low-income, uninsured or medically underserved individuals at high risk for chronic or acute health conditions.