Family Healthy Weight Program (FHWP) Implementation – Diabetes Prevention Initiative

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Office of Adult Health, is seeking qualified organizations to implement a CDC-recognized Family Healthy Weight Program (FHWP) to support Type 2 diabetes prevention. This initiative will deliver family-centered, evidence-based interventions in prioritized counties, including Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Washington, Sunflower, Leflore, Coahoma, Bolivar, Holmes, Noxubee, Wilkinson, Adams, Sharkey, Issaquena, Tunica, Claiborne, Humphreys, Jefferson Davis, Pike, and Clay counties. MSDH anticipates awarding up to three contracts to implement structured programs that enroll children and families, deliver at least 26 contact hours, and demonstrate measurable outcomes.

MSDH anticipates funding up to three (3) organizations to implement the Smart Moves Family Healthy Weight Program. Selected organizations will be required to conduct a minimum of two (2) complete 12-week cohorts annually, enroll 10-15 families per cohort, and make reasonable efforts to achieve an annual enrollment of 20-30 families. Subrecipients will be responsible for participant recruitment and retention, community outreach, referral development, program implementation, data collection, reporting, and participation in required technical assistance and monitoring activities.

This procurement emphasizes implementation readiness, measurable outcomes, and alignment with federal performance expectations to ensure effective program delivery and long-term sustainability.

Background

Background

Childhood obesity remains a significant public health challenge in Mississippi and is a major contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic health conditions. Mississippi consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of obesity, and many families face barriers to healthy living, including limited access to nutritious foods, safe opportunities for physical activity, health education, and supportive community resources.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Office of Adult Health, through its Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and CDC-funded DP23-0020 cooperative agreement, is implementing Strategy 8: Evidence-Based, Family-Centered Childhood Obesity Interventions. The goal of this initiative is to increase access to evidence-based Family Healthy Weight Programs (FHWPs) that support children and families in adopting healthier nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and behavioral practices that reduce obesity risk and improve overall health outcomes.

To support this effort, MSDH has selected the Smart Moves Family Healthy Weight Program as the evidence-based intervention to be implemented in priority communities. Smart Moves is a family-centered program that combines nutrition education, physical activity, behavior modification, and caregiver engagement to support sustainable healthy lifestyle changes. MSDH will procure and provide the Smart Moves curriculum, training, implementation support, and technical assistance to selected organizations.

This investment is intended to strengthen community-based prevention infrastructure and expand access to evidence-based obesity prevention services in communities experiencing disproportionate burdens of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Through this initiative, MSDH seeks to build local capacity, strengthen referral networks, and create sustainable systems that support healthy children, healthy families, and healthier communities.

Successful applicants will demonstrate strong community partnerships, the ability to recruit and retain families, experience serving underserved populations, and the capacity to deliver high-quality programming with fidelity to the Smart Moves model. Organizations that leverage trusted community relationships, address social determinants of health, establish strong referral pathways, and develop sustainable implementation strategies will be best positioned for success.

The ultimate goal of this initiative is to create a scalable and sustainable model that improves health outcomes for Mississippi children and families, reduces the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and strengthens community capacity to support healthy lifestyles for future generations.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 2026-RFA-155
• Department: Office of Preventive Health
• Department Head: Tonya Ragillio (Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-07-10T05:00:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• Organizational Capacity and Experience (20 pts) —

  Applicants will receive higher scores if they demonstrate a strong organizational structure, experienced leadership, qualified personnel, and a history of successfully implementing programs that serve children, adolescents, parents, caregivers, and families. Particular consideration will be given to organizations with experience implementing health promotion, obesity prevention, chronic disease prevention, family-centered interventions, or other community-based public health initiatives. Applicants should clearly demonstrate their experience managing grant-funded programs, maintaining compliance with reporting and fiscal requirements, and achieving measurable outcomes. Preference may be given to organizations with five (5) or more years of successful experience serving children and families in Mississippi, particularly within underserved, rural, medically underserved, or socially vulnerable communities.

• Community Partnerships and Referral Infrastructure (20 pts) —

  Applicants will receive higher scores if they demonstrate established partnerships and referral networks capable of supporting participant recruitment, enrollment, retention, and successful program implementation. Strong applications will provide evidence of collaboration with healthcare providers, hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, schools, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, local governments, and other stakeholders serving children and families. MSDH will consider the quality of partnership documentation, letters of support, referral agreements, and evidence of community trust and engagement. Preference may be given to applicants that demonstrate existing referral pathways and strong relationships within the communities they propose to serve.

• Programmatic Readiness and Implementation Plan (Workplan) (20 pts) —

  Applicants will receive higher scores if the proposed work plan clearly aligns with the objectives of this RFA, CDC Strategy 8, and the Smart Moves Family Healthy Weight Program. Strong applications will demonstrate a thorough understanding of program requirements and present a realistic approach for implementation, participant recruitment, enrollment, retention, and program delivery. Applicants should describe how they will conduct a minimum of two (2) Smart Moves cohorts annually, enroll 10-15 families per cohort, address barriers to participation, engage parents and caregivers, and achieve expected program outcomes. Applications should also demonstrate readiness to begin implementation, including staffing plans, facility availability, partnership support, and project management capacity.

• Social Determinants of Health and Family Support Strategy (10 pts) —

  Applicants will receive higher scores if they demonstrate a clear approach to identifying and addressing barriers that may affect participation in the Smart Moves Family Healthy Weight Program, including transportation, childcare, food access, health literacy, and other social determinants of health.

  Applicants should describe how they will connect families to community resources and support services and must provide a list of community partners that will support participant recruitment, referrals, family engagement, resource navigation, and barrier reduction efforts. Applicants should also describe the role each partner will play in supporting program implementation and participant success.

  Applications that demonstrate strong community partnerships and practical strategies to reduce barriers and improve participation will receive higher scores.

• Data Collection, Reporting, and Performance Outcomes (10 pts) —

  Applicants will receive higher scores if they demonstrate the ability to collect, manage, analyze, and report program data in accordance with MSDH requirements. Strong applications will describe systems for tracking participant enrollment, attendance, retention, completion, referrals, outreach activities, and other required performance measures. Applicants should identify staff responsible for reporting activities and describe how records will be maintained to support programmatic and fiscal accountability. Applicants with prior grant-funded experience should demonstrate successful performance outcomes, timely reporting, and compliance with funding requirements. Applicants seeking continuation funding may be evaluated based on prior performance, including achievement of enrollment targets, completion rates, reporting timeliness, and overall program effectiveness.

• Sustainability and Long-Term Impact (10 pts) —

  Applicants will receive higher scores if they demonstrate a realistic and achievable plan for sustaining Family Healthy Weight Program activities beyond the period of MSDH funding. Strong applications will describe strategies for maintaining community partnerships, referral networks, trained staff, participant engagement, and program delivery after the grant period. Applicants should explain how Smart Moves will be integrated into existing organizational services, community initiatives, healthcare partnerships, school-based programs, or other ongoing activities. Additional consideration will be given to applicants that identify opportunities to leverage future funding, in-kind support, community resources, volunteer engagement, or other sustainability strategies that support long-term program success and continued access to family healthy weight programming.

• Budget, Cost Effectiveness, and Quality of Application (10 pts) —

  Applicants will receive higher scores if the proposed budget is reasonable, cost-effective, and clearly aligned with the proposed work plan and project activities. The budget should accurately reflect the costs necessary to implement the Smart Moves Family Healthy Weight Program and achieve the objectives outlined in this RFA. Applications should demonstrate efficient use of resources, adherence to allowable cost requirements, and an understanding of federal and state fiscal requirements. MSDH will also evaluate the overall quality of the application, including completeness, organization, responsiveness to the RFA, clarity of information presented, accuracy of calculations, and inclusion of all required documentation. Applications that are well-written, free of significant grammatical or mathematical errors, and clearly demonstrate the applicant's ability to successfully man

Submission Requirements

• Applicant Organization Information
• Applicant Organization Name (required) —

  Please provide the full legal name of the Applicant Organization that should be listed on an agreement or contract. Be sure to include any other "doing business as" names, or any previous names the organization used.

  NOTE: Name must match the UEI Number

• Applicant Organization UEI Number (required) —

  Please enter the full EUI Number of the Applicant Organization here.

• UEI Number Upload (required) —

  Please upload a copy or printout of your registration from SAM.gov.

• Applicant Organization Address (required) —

  What is the full physical/mailing address of the Application Organization?

  Please be sure to include the full street name and address (including floor or room number if applicable), City, State, and Zip Code.

• Applicant Contact Information - Name (required) —

  Please provide the full name of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.

• Applicant Contact Information - Title (required) —

  Please provide the full title of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.

• Applicant Contact Information - Telephone Number (required) —

  Please provide the full telephone number (including area code) of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.

• Applicant Contact Information - Email Address (required) —

  Please provide the full email address of the Applicant's Point of Contact for this Application.

• Eligible Entity (required) —

  Party submitting this application certifies that Applicant Organization is an eligible entity as defined by this RFA.

• Debarment or Suspension Confirmation (required) —

  Party submitting this application certifies that Applicant Organization is not presently debarred or suspended.

• W9 (required) —

  Upload a copy of your current W9 here.

• Applicant's Organizational Overview —

  The Applicant’s Organization Overview section shall contain the following information about the Applicant. If the Application is a cooperative or joint venture between two or more entities, all information required in this section shall be provided for all entities, even if a new legal entity has been created or is planned to be created for the purposes of the Subgrant.

• Federal Grants Experience (required) —

  Upload a description of Applicant’s previous experience with receiving federal funds. This shall include, but not be limited to, experience receiving federal funds as a direct recipient or a subgrantee. Applicant should describe and demonstrate knowledge of the Uniform Grant Guidance / HHS Grants Guidance (as applicable), as well as any specific experience with the particular federal program and funding source that funds this RFA.

• Programmatic Experience (required) —

  Upload a description of Applicant’s experience with the type of programming or work contained in the Project Description, or other relevant work.

• Program Management and Organizational Experience (required) —

  Please provide a description of Applicant’s experience with the type of programming or work contained in the Project Description, or other relevant work.

• Agreements Terminated or Costs Disallowed (required) —

  Applicant must provide a summary of any agreements executed within the last five (5) years with federal awarding agencies or pass-through entities (either as grant agreements, cooperative agreements, subawards, or contracts) that:

  • Were terminated for cause; or
  • Where Specific Conditions were placed on Applicant (see 2 CFR § 200.208 or 45 CFR § 75.207).
• Applicant's Work Plan
• Work Plan (required) —

  The Applicant’s Work Plan must respond in detail to the Project Description. It must contain a description of the work activities the Applicant is proposing to complete under the RFA. It should contain an understanding of the requirements for the project under the applicable federal or state funding sources (or both), and, as applicable, descriptions of timelines, outcome/process measures, reporting requirements, and program evaluation activities.

• Applicant's Budget
• Budget Information (required) —

  The Applicant Budget should contain only allowable direct costs and indirect costs under the applicable federal statutes, regulations, terms and conditions of this RFA. The Applicant must include an accurate and detailed budget and budget justification that correlates to the work plan, noting line-item expenses with specific detail for understanding per-item costs. The direct costs in the Applicant’s budget must be broken down into the required direct cost categories.

  1. 1. Personnel. The Personnel budget category includes costs of compensation for officers and employees of the Applicant and is based on the percentage of time dedicated to the subgrant. The Personnel budget category must contain the following information a line-item or listing of each position authorized and the salary amount to be paid to each full-time employee and/or the hourly rate authorized, and number of hours authorized for each part-time employee charged to the subgrant.
     2. Fringe Benefits. The Fringe Benefits budget category consists of the subgrantee’s share of applicable fringe benefits, such as social security (F.I.C.A. and Medicare), employee health/life/disability insurance premiums, worker’s compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and pension plan costs. The types and percentages of fringe benefits claimed must be documented in the budget.
     3. Travel. The Travel budget category includes costs for transportation, lodging, and related costs to employees, officers, and volunteers who are in travel status on official business. Mileage and per diem rates should not be greater than the rates approved by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration on the date travel was performed.
     4. Commodities. The Commodities budget category includes costs of materials and supplies consumed by the Applicant for the program. Items required on the inventory of fixed assets must not be included in the Commodities budget category.
     5. Contractual. The Contractual budget category includes costs of services rendered by persons other than employees of the Applicant under contractual agreements.
     6. Equipment. The Equipment budget category includes costs for the purchase of equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures, and any items which are required to be reported on the fixed asset inventory regardless of cost.
     7. Subsidies, Loans, and Grants. The Subsidies, Loans, and Grants budget category includes costs associated with direct assistance to clients or participants and/or lower-tier subgrantees.
     8. Other. The Other budget category includes other direct costs that do not fit into the above classifications.

  The indirect cost rate must be specified in the budget. MSDH allows a de minimis, or flat rate, of 15 percent for indirect costs if the subgrantee does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate. The negotiated indirect cost rate cannot be used if it is prohibited by the prime funder.

  Applicants will not be allowed to change their budgets once submitted to MSDH, unless the POC specifically requests, in writing, budget changes. Budgets may be modified as required by MSDH or in agreement between MSDH and the Applicant after the Intent to Subaward is announced.

  Applicants should not rely on budget changes or modifications in submitting their proposed budget, but should be able to perform the program activities consistent with their budget.

• Conflicts of Interest
• Other Current MSDH Contracts (required) —

  List all other current agreements/contracts with MSDH, including the dollar amount associated with the agreement/contract and the beginning and ending dates. If no other funds are received, please mark N/A.

  Please provide each entry in the following format:

  MSDH Program or Agreement/Contract Name #1

  • Dollar Amount
  • Contract Beginning Date
  • Contract Ending Date
• Organization Governing Body (required) —

  Please list the name of each member of your organization’s Board of Directors or other governing body (i.e., trustee, alderman, partner, owner).

• Governing Body or Project Staff Affiliations (required) —

  Are any members of the governing body or project staff also MSDH employees, MSDH Board Members, or spouses, parents, or children of MSDH employees?

• Governing Body or Staff Affiliations - Explanation (required) —

  You have indicated that one or more members of your governing body or project staff are also MSDH employees, MSDH Board Members, or spouses, parents, or children of MSDH employees.

  Please provide the following for all such individuals:

  • Name of Individual
  • Indicate if individual is an MSDH Employee, MSDH Board Member, or relative type of MSDH employee.
  • Applicable position held with MSDH
• Income From Business (required) —

  Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative receive more than $2,500.00 per year in income from the business?

• Ownership Status - Percentage (required) —

  Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative own ten (10%) percent or more of the fair market value in the business, either directly or indirectly through another business?

• Ownership Status - Amount —

  Does the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative have ownership interest in the business, in which the fair market value exceeds $5,000.00?

• Position Within Business (required) —

  Is the MSDH Board Member, Employee, or Relative a director, officer, or employee of the business?

• Conflict of Interest Certification (required) —

  I hereby certify that the information set forth above is true and complete to the best of my knowledge and that no MSDH employee, spouse, parent, or child of an MSDH employee, serves as a member of the governing body, project staff, or has an ownership or pecuniary interest in the agreement/contract or organization. I agree to notify MSDH within thirty (30) days if any of these conditions change during the agreement/contract.

• Other
• Debarment, Suspension, and Eligibility (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared ineligible for award of federal or state contracts.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Charges From A Government Agency (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Conviction or Acknowledgment of Fault (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last five (5) years, been the subject of a federal or state criminal proceeding resulting in a conviction or other acknowledgment of fault, been the subject of a federal or state civil or administrative proceeding resulting in a finding of fault with a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, and/or damages greater than $5,000 or other acknowledgment of fault;  convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (federal, state or local) contract or subcontract; violation of Federal or State antitrust statues relating to the submission of offers; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements or receiving stolen property.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Contract Termination By Default (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last five (5) years preceding this offer, had one or more contracts terminated for default by any federal agency.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Felony Criminal Violations (required) —

  The applicant certifies that they or any of its principals _____ within the last five (5) years, been convicted of a felony criminal violation under federal or state law.

  Select the answer which best fills in the blank for the applicant.

• Financial Records (required) —

  Does the applicant have a financial management system that provides records that can identify the source and award-supported activities and provides control and accountability of project funds, property, and other assets?

• Audit Status / Fiscal Responsibility (required) —

  Does the applicant receive an annual audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance §200.514 (formerly A-133)?

• Most Recent Audit (required) —

  What is the most recent fiscal year for which this audit was completed?

• Report Findings (required) —

  Were there any audit findings in the most recent report?

  If "Yes", please be sure to provide an explanation in the applicable upcoming question. Failure to provide an explanation may cause your submittal to be deemed non-responsive.

• Recent Audit Report —

  Please upload a copy of your most recent Uniform Guidance §200.514 (formerly A-133) Audit Report.

• Explanation or Other Information (required) —

  Please provide any additional information around your Audit Status that you feel is necessary here. This includes an explanation regarding any audit findings in your most recent audit.

  If you have nothing to add here, please state that you have no additional information to provide.

• No Annual Audit (required) —

  You have stated that the applicant does not receive an annual audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance §200.514 (formerly A-133).

  Please select the option which best fits the reason why.

• No Annual Audit - Other (required) —

  If you selected "Other" in the previous question regarding why you do not receive an annual audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance §200.514 (formerly A-133) please specify here.

  If your answer to the previous question was not "Other", please respond here with "N/A".

• Supplemental Information (2 Letters of Support) —

  Applicant will provide any required supplemental information as outlined in this Request to be submitted with the Application. 

• Please acknowledge that any work performed prior to execution is done at the vendor’s own risk and may not be eligible for payment. MSDH reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine on a case-by-case basis whether payment is allowable based on the particular circumstances. (required)
• Competition/Joint Efforts Verbiage (required) —

  Should the language for Competition/Joint Efforts be used in this RFA?

• Statement of Need (required) —

  Is there a Statement of Need required with submittals for this RFA?

• Estimated Dollar Amount (required) —

  What is the estimated dollar amount budgeted for this request?

• Funding Information —

  Be sure that the following three financial info pieces add up to 100% or this will not be approved.

• Internal Order (required) —

  Please specify the internal order information. Be sure to include the % of each internal order. If there are multiple internal orders, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.

  EXAMPLE 1
  30000035771  100%

• Functional Area (required) —

  Please specify the functional area information. Be sure to include the % of each functional area. If there are multiple functional areas, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.

  EXAMPLE 1
  13010101000000DV  100%

• Cost Center (required) —

  Please specify the cost center information. Be sure to include the % of each cost center. If there are multiple cost centers, please separate each with a comma and be sure they add up to 100% or your posting will not be approved.

  EXAMPLE 1
  1301010707  100%