HKHF TAP Resources

Discover a collection of practical, ready‑to‑use tools developed through the Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Technical Assistance Program. Designed for state and local agency staff, these resources support your efforts to plan, promote, and evaluate healthy eating and physical activity initiatives across early care and education (ECE) systems. Explore what’s available to strengthen your work—and if you have any questions or need help getting started, we’re here to support you. Contact us at hkhftap@nemours.org.

• Action Planning Template– Action planning is the fundamental process needed to implement change. Use the action planning template to set goals and identify steps, materials, and partnerships needed to achieve those goals. Action plans are living documents that should be updated regularly to document progress or shifting priorities.
• Action Planning Example– This action plan includes two example activities that focus on Professional Development.
• Benchmarks Workbook– A workbook, based on the CDC’s Spectrum of Opportunities, to assist state agencies and organizations to document and collect data on their progress toward integrating nutrition and physical activity standards in ECE systems.
• ECE 101 Video: An Introduction to Early Care and Education– A 7 minute overview to orient viewers to the ECE sector. This video can support community and state leaders developing strategies for systems change to improve nutrition and physical activity in ECE.
• ECE 101 Video: Pre-service and Professional Development– A 10 minute video to support community and state leaders developing strategies for systems change to improve nutrition and physical activity in ECE. The strategies shared in this course focus on the CDC’s Spectrum of Opportunity framework area of Pre-service training and Professional Development
• Head Start Farm to ECE Overview and Resource Guide– This guide was created in collaboration with the Association for State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) to support Head Start (HS) staff interested in Farm to ECE programming. Listed resources can help HS staff find Farm to ECE ideas, gather inspiration, or accelerate efforts to improve young children’s health and wellness.
• Healthy Eating Guide from Nemours Children’s Health– This guide provides ECE programs with practical, evidence-based strategies to promote healthy eating habits in young children through nutrition recommendations, portion guidance, family engagement tools, and supportive policies. Also available in Spanish.
• Partner Mapping Template– Adapted from the CDC’s Spectrum of Opportunities Quick Start Action Guide, this activity helps you identify current and potential stakeholders and their roles and priorities. This can inform strategic collaboration and support healthy eating and physical activity in ECE systems and settings.
• Systems Integration Plan Template– Adapted from the CDC’s Spectrum of Opportunities Quick Start Action Guide, this activity identifies opportunities in your state or community to integrate nutrition and physical activity best practices into the different areas of the CDC’s Spectrum of Opportunities.
• Wellness Workbook– A web-based self-assessment tool to support ECE professionals to promote best practices for healthy eating and physical activity in their ECE programs. Once registered, you can access tools to understand how your ECE program is already fostering healthy habits and where you can improve.