Frequently Asked Questions for Early Childhood Education Programs

Childcare centers, licensed childcare homes, and registered childcare homes licensed to operate by the Child Care Regulation program of Texas Health and Human Services are all eligible to participate in the Texas Healthy Building Blocks program. Before and after school programs, as well as school-age programs are not the key audience for Go NAPSACC, and therefore are not eligible for Texas Healthy Building Blocks recognition at this time.

Texas Healthy Building Blocks (THBB) recognizes early childhood education (ECE) programs for their work and adoption of evidence-based obesity prevention practices. Recognition is a reward system for ECEs who go above and beyond minimum regulations to promote children’s health. 

ECEs are only eligible for recognition if they work with an Approved THBB TA Consultant.  As of July 2023, ECEs do not receive access to Go NAPSACC unless an Approved THBB TA Consultant works with them directly.  There are 7 focus areas of Texas Healthy Building Blocks that align with the modules in the Go NAPSACC online tool.  They include Child nutrition, screen time, physical activity, outdoor play and learning, infant and breast feeding, farm to ECE and oral health. An ECE will assess their operation, set goals and take action accordingly by utilizing the available resources and training, then apply for recognition.  

There are three cumulative tiers of recognition an ECE needs to achieve a minimum percentage of best practices in to be recognized in each tier. For example, to achieve second-tier recognition an ECE needs to meet the criteria for the first tier and the second tier. To achieve the highest tier of recognition, an ECE needs to meet the minimum percentage of best practices for every module within each tier.

There are many benefits to participating beyond the immediate and long-term health benefits to the children in your care.  Here are some specific benefits for your program:

• One-on-one technical assistance and support
• Training and support using the Go NAPSACC online tool to conduct self-assessments and establish a plan of action
• A series of seven online courses for early childhood teachers and directors
• A dedicated web portal where you can apply to become recognized
• Promotional tools to communicate progress and success to currently enrolled families, prospective families, and the community at large
• Public Recognition through online promotion, community promotion and specialized incentives

The Go NAPSACC modules are organized in the 3 tiers for THBB recognition program.  ECEs take an online pre and post self-assessment for the modules within the tier they are targeting. Self-Assessments are analyzed by Go NAPSACC based on the responses related to a best practice score. A percentage of best practices need to be met within each module within the tier in order to be considered “complete” and eligible for recognition for that tier, between 20-40% depending on the module. The expectation is that ECE applicants will meet the best practice threshold for each module within the tier for which they are applying AND for all lower Tiers. For example, an ECE applicant applying for Tier 2 recognition would need to meet 40% of the best practices in the Child Nutrition module, 40% of the best practices in the Screen Time module, 40% of the best practices in the Physical Activity module, 40% of the best practices in the Outdoor Learning module, and 40% of the best practices in the Breastfeeding module to be recognized.  Tier 3 is the highest-level tier an ECE can apply for. 

There is no set deadline for the recognition application; applications are accepted as an ECE meets the requirements for the tier they are applying for.

Once an ECE is awarded recognition in a specific tier, the recognition period begins on the date awarded.  Every 3 years from the date of the award, an ECE must reapply for the same tier to continue to maintain the current level of recognition.  Once an ECE has met the best practices threshold criteria for additional tiers, the ECE is eligible to apply for the Second Tier 2 and Top Tier 3 and does not have to wait.  If an ECE advanced recognition to Tier 2 or Tier 3, the recognition period will begin on the date of the recognition award.

For example, if an ECE is awarded Tier 1 on January 1, 2022, they must reapply for Tier 1 on January 1, 2025.  If they meet the best practices threshold for Tier 2 on August 1, 2023, they can apply for Tier 2 recognition on August 1, 2023. Let’s say the ECE was then awarded the recognition for Tier 1 and 2 on August 15, 2023, then the new recognition award date will begin on August 15, 2023 and the ECE will need to reapply for Tier 1 and 2 on August 15, 2026.

Answer coming soon!

Answer coming soon!

You will receive technical assistance from a trained TA Consultant tailored to your goals and needs. This may include continuous engagement with your TA Consultant Training that accommodates both schedules, assistance with setting up and learning the online Go NAPSACC tool, training opportunities through your TA Consultant, online through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and from the Go NAPSACC website.  All of these training options can be counted toward your annual training requirements.

The success of the Texas Healthy Building Blocks model relies on the relationship between the TA Consultant and the early childhood education program to ensure you have a source of high-quality, science-based information and resources as you work to adopt new practices. Early childhood programs are required to partner with an approved TA Consultant to participate and achieve recognition. You can find a Community Partner in your area and connect with an active TA Consultants here on our website. If you need additional information or need assistance, please fill out the contact form.

It depends. If you are participating in Texas Healthy Building Blocks under the sponsorship of a Community Partner, such as your local health department, you are probably receiving TA Consultant services at no cost to your early childhood facility.

With the support of your Technical Assistance Consultant, you will complete the application for the tier for which they are seeking recognition in.  Once the application is submitted, submission of supporting documentation within 15 days of submission will need to follow using the instructions outlined on the confirmation correspondence.

Supporting documentation will depend on the tier, and the modules with the tier, the ECE is applying for.  Some examples of supporting documentation may include:

• Menus
• Policies
• Lesson plans for each age group
• Activity schedules for each age group
• Professional development certificates
• Educational materials for families
• Pictures
• Other documents may be requested if needed.

The program who applied will receive 1 reminder email and if the program does not comply, then the application will be void. The program will have to reapply.

When an application is received, the THBB leadership team:

1. reviews the Go NAPSACC assessment tool reports for the modules in the applicable tiers to ensure the best practice threshold was met,
2. reviews the supporting documentation submitted, and
3. determines if recognition will be awarded based on guidance from the THBB Recognition Application Review Checklist.

The contact person for the ECE program, and the TA Consultant, will be notified in writing within 30 days of submission if they are awarded recognition or if additional information is required. 

You can either find a Community Partner in your area by visiting the link here or use the Contact feature on the website and a state leadership team member will contact you and assist you with the next steps.