Technical Assistance

Go napsacc technical assistance

Go NAPSACC is an evidence-based program free for all child care programs in Florida and is designed to help child care providers make improvements in their environments and policies to further promote healthy habits among children. Go NAPSACC’s provider tools guide child care providers through the five-step improvement process for improving child care environments: (1) Assess, (2) Plan, (3) Take Action, (4) Learn More, and (5) Keep it Up. Through this process, child care providers can complete self-assessments in any of Go NAPSACC’s seven focus areas: 

  • Child Nutrition
  • Breastfeeding & Infant Feeding
  • Farm to ECE
  • Oral Health
  • Infant & Child Physical Activity
  • Outdoor Play & Learning
  • Screen Time

ECE providers play a vital role in the development of our state’s children. The goal is for Early Care and Education (ECE) providers to take proactive, voluntary steps to improve their program’s practices and policies related to encouraging healthy behaviors among the children and families they serve. Implementation of best practices in the ECE setting will pave the way for healthy lifestyle choices in youth, continuing into adulthood. Join ECE providers across Florida in the movement to integrate best practices focused on physical activity and nutrition into their programs.

Let's be heros technical assistance

If you are a child care program director or provider in Florida, we want to support you on your journey towards providing a healthier environment for the children and families you serve. We work with stakeholders across the state to provide free technical assistance and trainings that will prepare your program to apply for the recognition. Let’s Be HEROs technical assistance is optional and can be accessed by submitting an interest form using the link below. Once your interest form is submitted, you will be connected with one of the technical assistance consultants listed below. During the Let’s Be HEROs program, child care providers will attend an orientation meeting or call to set up their Go NAPSACC account, engage in monthly meetings (either one-on-one or as a group) with their local technical assistance consultant, and will have unlimited access to self-assessment and goal setting tools, on-demand professional development training, and an extensive resource library. 

Opportunities for CEUs

Goal Setting

Resource Library

The Let’s Be HEROs Technical Assistance Program encourages child care providers to engage with their local technical assistance consultant through calls or in-person visits and to use Go NAPSACC to create goals related to best practices in seven different focus areas: child nutrition, breast feeding and infant feeding, infant and child physical activity, outdoor play and learning, oral health, screen time, and farm to early care and education (ECE). 

Child care programs participating in the program receive free access to Go NAPSACC and the library of family engagement resources, professional development training videos, and self-assessment quizzes. There is no licensing or program size requirements to participate in the Let’s Be HEROs Technical Assistance Program.

Congratulations to the following child care programs who have completed steps in Go NAPSACC
to achieve the Let's Be HEROs Technical Assistance Program Award!

Let's Be HEROs Awardees

2023

Program

ABC Preschool and Daycare

Ark Angels Christian Preschool

Beautiful Beginnings Child Care Center, Inc.

Building Blocks to Learning

Capstone Academy Milton Child Care

Dawn’s Home Preschool

Duck, Duck Kids

Gardenia Children, LLC

Gertrude Walden Child Care Center

Gingerbread House

It’s a Small World Academy II

It’s a Small World Learning Center II, Inc.

It’s a Small World Learning Center VII

Kathy’s Home Daycare

Kid City USA Edgewater

Kid City USA Port Orange

KinderCare Beville Rd.

KinderCare Ormond Beach

Le Jardin Community Center 1

Le Jardin Community Center 5A

Lil Kings & Queens Academy

Lincoln Marti 450

Little Angels Home Daycare, Inc.

Little House Next Door

Nature Coast Preschool & Therapy Center

Noel Family Childcare Educational Place

Ohana Learning Home Day Care

Plato’s Playgrounds 1

Plato’s Playgrounds 2

Royal Club Academy

Small Steps Institute

Smart Horizon’s Learning Center

Springview Academy of Hialeah

Sunshine Christian Academy

The Gingerbread House Child Care Center 

Trinity Christian Academy Preschool

 

County

Volusia

Citrus

Volusia

Pinellas

Santa Rosa

Pinellas

Santa Rosa

Palm Beach

Martin

Osceola

Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade

Pinellas

Volusia

Volusia

Volusia

Volusia

Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade

Palm Beach

Miami-Dade

Palm Beach

Volusia

Citrus

Volusia

Volusia

Volusia

Volusia

Santa Rosa

Alachua

Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade

Manatee

Santa Rosa

Volusia

If you are interested in learning more about award requirements and how to receive $600 in Kaplan Early Learning Company credits redeemable online, please submit an interest form to be connected with your local technical assistance consultant or read the program information packet below.

Certified Go NAPSACC Technical Assistance Consultants

County Name Email Organization
Alachua Breton K Homewood [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Kourtney Oliver [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Alachua County 
Baker ( R ) Melody Coggin [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Baker
Bay Beth Tucker [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Bay County
Patricia (Tricia) Pearce [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Bay County
Bradford ( R ) Tracy Toms [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Union County
Brevard Kiarabet Quintana [email protected] Florida Department of Health in  Brevard County
Broward Peace Nwagbo [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Nickey Lewin [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Broward County
Calhoun ( R ) Tiffany R Sapp [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Calhoun and Liberty
Charlotte Grace Hernandez [email protected]
Florida Department of Health in Charlotte
Kaci Brooks-Lynch [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Charlotte
James Bolger Hemingway Jr [email protected]  Florida Department of Health in Charlotte
Kathleen Morales Perez [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Citrus Carmen M Hernandez [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Citrus County 
Kathryn DeFranco [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Citrus County 
Clay Ekiuwa Daniels [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Clay County
Collier      
Columbia ( R ) Wendy Bragdon [email protected] Florida Department of Health – Central Office, FL
DeSoto ( R ) Heather Smith [email protected] Florida Department of Health in DeSoto
Dixie ( R ) Breton K Homewood [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Duval Alia Rodgers [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Escambia      
Flagler Alia Rodgers [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Micky Beuregard [email protected] Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties
Mary Kauffman [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Flagler County
Franklin ( R ) Chelsea Marshall-Hirvela [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Gadsden ( R ) Esther Rowan [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County  
Kellon Banks [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County  
Gilchrist ( R ) Breton K Homewood [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Glades ( R ) Andrea May [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades County
Gulf ( R ) Chelsea Marshall-Hirvela [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Hamilton ( R ) Wendy Bragdon [email protected] Florida Department of Health – Central Office, FL
Hardee ( R )      
Hendry ( R ) Andrea May [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades County
Hernando Ashley Thomas [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Hernando County
Alexis Fedrick [email protected]  Florida Department of Health in Hernando County
Highlands ( R ) Pam Crain [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Highlands County
Hillsborough Jennifer N Waskovich [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County
Joanna Morillo [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County 
Joshua Tait [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County
Mandy Chan [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County
Holmes ( R ) Olivia Brock [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Washington/Holmes
Indian River Mary Catherine ‘Molly’ Steinwald [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Indian River County
Jackson ( R ) Katrice Davis [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Jackson County
Jefferson ( R ) Chelsey McCoy [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Jefferson and Madison Counties
Lafayette ( R ) Breton K Homewood [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Beverley Fountain [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Lafayette/Suwannee
Lake      
Lee Kathleen Morales Perez [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Amanda Evans [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Health Lee County
Leon Chelsea Marshall-Hirvela [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Leigh Miles [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Leon County 
Levy ( R ) Breton K Homewood [email protected] University of Florida, IFAS Family Nutrition Program
Liberty ( R ) Tiffany R Sapp [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Calhoun and Liberty
Madison ( R ) Breton K Homewood [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Chelsey McCoy [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Jefferson and Madison Counties
Manatee Anastasia Peele [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Manatee County
Hillary Miller [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Marion Melissa Marino [email protected] Florida Department of Health Marion County
Martin Patsy Lindo-Wood [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Health Martin County
Miami-Dade Solina Rulfs [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Monroe ( R ) Jennifer Lefelar [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Monroe County
Nassau Leslie Roberts [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Nassau County
Kenice Taylor [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Nassau
Alia Rodgers [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Okaloosa Jasmine Selph [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County 
Petra Maddens [email protected] Florida Department of Health
Jennifer Wilhelm [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County 
Okeechobee ( R )      
Orange Patrick Zayas [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Osceola Patrick Zayas [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Zuleyka Trinidad [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Osceola County
Palm Beach Marie Estime [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County 
Pasco Tatiyana Badal [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Pasco
Hillary Miller [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Pinellas Hillary Miller [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Samantha Staley [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Polk Jessica Napoleon [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Polk County
Putnam Carol Kazounis [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Putnam County 
Eleanor Hoffman [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Putnam County
Santa Rosa Chelsea Marshall-Hirvela [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Sarasota Kathleen Morales Perez [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Seminole Ethel Smith [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Seminole County
St. Johns Kristian Emamdie [email protected] Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County
Anna McDaniel [email protected] Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County
St. Lucie Jason Barela [email protected] Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County
Sumter Chloe Castrodad [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Sumter County
Suwanee ( R ) Breton K Homewood [email protected] University of Florida, IFAS Family Nutrition Program
Beverley Fountain [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Lafayette/Suwannee
Taylor ( R ) Chelsea Marshall-Hirvela [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Martine Young [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Taylor County
Union ( R ) Tracy Toms [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Union County
Volusia Patrick Zayas [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Jill Taufer [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Volusia County
Micky Beuregard [email protected] Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties
Wakulla ( R ) Chelsea Marshall-Hirvela [email protected] University of Florida IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Cristina Martin [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Wakulla County
Walton ( R ) Brandi Gill [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Walton
Washington ( R ) Olivia Brock [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Washington/Holmes
Haylee Sapp [email protected] Florida Department of Health in Washington

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Any licensed early care and education center or family child care home program can apply for recognition.

Child care programs must complete all sections of the application to be eligible for an award. If the application requirement does not relate to their center, centers should indicate this by selecting the age groups they serve in the program information section of the application. Programs will not be scored based on sections that are not applicable to their site. For example, the breastfeeding benchmarks do not apply to programs that do not serve infants younger than age one.

The recognition is valid for two years. After two years, your program can re-apply to receive the full award* amount again. 

However, your program can submit additional documentation within two years to help you reach a higher award. You will receive an additional award amount of the difference between your initial award and your new award level. Please speak to your local technical assistance consultant for more information or email [email protected].

*All awards are based on funding availability.

The requirements for the FL HEROs recognition program are updated regularly to stay up-to-date with current industry best practices and guidance from the FL HEROs Stakeholder Committee. Therefore, recognition criteria may be revised prior to recertification.  To recertify, please submit the most up-to-date FL HEROs Application with supporting documentation from the past 12 months and associated staff training certificates.

There are a number of benefits to becoming recognized.

  • Implementing best practices helps create a healthier environment for the children your facility serves.
  • All centers that apply for the recognition program have access to free trainings that provide continuing education units for staff.
  • Recognized ECE programs are eligible for Kaplan Early Learning Company monetary incentives.
  • Recognized centers receive marketing materials to display at their center.
  • Recognized ECE programs are featured on the ECEs4HealthyKids.org statewide website.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. All  applications are reviewed 3-4 weeks after initial submission. 

COVID-19 Modifications

The in-person UF/IFAS Healthy Kids Healthy Future Workshop is currently being offered virtually, Go NAPSACC offers on-demand trainings for each best practice, and the ABCs of a Healthy Me Training is a self-paced online training.

We understand that things have changed or been adapted due to COVID, so we are committed to making this process as convenient as possible for ECEs during this time. Since the recognition is good for 2-years, it will be best to use pre-COVID practices. However, if it is not an additional burden, it would be beneficial if ECE providers can highlight which best practices have been adapted or put on hold due to COVID-19 by making an addendum to their policy or sharing how this update was shared with a parent.

  • For example, during a recent virtual conference, other states shared how ECE providers have shifted to individual self-serve options to promote motor skills development and maintain some of the familystyle dining elements.

A live, virtual workshop or class for parents on a particular topic,  with flyers, event announcements, or handouts that display the topic and credentials/title of the presenter. Flyers, newsletters, emails, or handouts to parents with information or resources about any of the five best practices from credible topic experts at government agencies, educational institutes, or health foundations. 

  • This benchmark has not been modified due to COVID-19. The FL HEROs Benchmarks were developed based on the Preventing Childhood Obesity in ECE Program  3rd Edition Guidelines, which is a component of the Caring for Our Children National Guidelines. These national guidelines state that child care centers should limit educational screen time to 30 minutes per week of commercial-free programming, teachers should supervise this screen time, and teachers should always talk with students about what they are seeing during screen time. If this is typically the case we ask that a policy addendum be attached that reflects the typical policy and how it had been changed due to COVID-19.
  • We also understand from our calls with ECE programs that some preschoolers may be getting closer to 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes per day of screen time due to testing and literacy requirements and that some are offering Pre-K virtually. We will discuss this with our stakeholder committee to see if modifications or exceptions are needed. 

Training Requirements

ECE providers can participate in the six-session ABCs of a Healthy Me Training or connect with a certified Go NAPSACC Consultant to access a library of FREE on-demand trainings, which both qualify for the pre-requisite training requirements.

Yes, as long as centers are licensed once they apply for the recognition.

The “director position” at each site is the person that oversees the operation of the child care program and providers staff trainings. Please contact [email protected] if your program structure would require someone else to take the training in place of the director.  A lead teacher is considered the main teacher the plans lessons for a class and directs classroom activities of each classroom. If your program’s structure does not have a lead teacher the training requirement applies to all classroom staff.

The in-person UF/IFAS Healthy Kids Healthy Future Workshop is currently being offered virtually, Go NAPSACC offers on-demand, virtual trainings for each best practice area, and the ABCs of a Healthy Me Training is a self-paced, online training.

ABCs of a Healthy Me training reports are reviewed on a monthly basis. If you completed the last quiz of each session you will be emailed a certificate of completion for the sessions you completed. Once you have completed all SIX sessions, your information will be sent to Palm Beach State College’s Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education and you will be awarded one free corporate & continuing education unit certificate. You will be mailed a physical CEU certificate to the mailing address you reported on the last question of each training video. If you have any questions, concerns, or need to update your mailing address please contact [email protected].

  • Note: In 2020 we had a glitch and a few of our training reports were being sent to our training developer and were not captured in our records. Therefore anyone who completed the training in 2020 but did not receive an email, please contact us. 

Multi-Site Applications

If you are applying as a center that has multiple locations, only one application that lists all locations is required. All site locations must meet the criteria you are applying for, and supporting documentation must be submitted for each site.

Documentation that is used across all sites such as policies, curriculum, monthly menus, parent handbooks, and parent handouts can be included once. Site-specific photos or parent engagement workshop flyers and sign-in sheets must be included for each site.

Yes each site will be eligible for a recognition certificate, Kaplan credits and will be listed on the FL HEROs website

Best Practice & Supporting DOcs

Early care and education centers must complete all sections of the application. If the application requirement does not relate to their center, centers should indicate this on the application.

ECEs programs can use resources and information about any of the five best practices from credible topic experts at government agencies, educational institutes, or health foundations. 

Requirements are prorated for programs that are part-time (less than 8 Hours) programs. Both the full-time and part-time program should meet best practice requirements.