The Minding Our Bodies project is seeking expressions of interest — from community mental health agencies, consumer/survivor initiatives and other organizations in Ontario serving people with serious mental illness — for seed funding of up to $5,000 to start a healthy eating and/or physical activity program.

» Request for Expressions of Interest (DOC)

» Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

The Minding Our Bodies project will be pleased to accept applications in French. Please note, however, that the toolkit and training resources are currently available in English only.

» Appel à des Manifestations d’intérêt

DUE DATE: 4:00 pm, Friday, December 2, 2011
See below for submission details and contact information.

What Kind of Programs Will Be Funded?

The Minding Our Bodies (MOB) project will fund programs that (a) promote physical activity and/or healthy eating for people with serious mental illness and (b) meet the eligibility requirements described below.

MOB is particularly interested in programs that:

• are planned and delivered in partnership with other organizations
• improve access to existing resources in the local community
• engage participants in the program planning process
• create opportunities for peer support and peer leadership development
• promote social inclusion
• reach targeted populations (e.g., rural/remote communities, ethno-cultural groups, youth at risk, women, homeless, etc.)
• are new initiatives
• are innovative
• are sustainable

Programs may include (but are not limited to):

• educational sessions
• individual or group activities
• any type of physical activity (walking, swimming, yoga, etc.)
• any type of healthy eating activity (community kitchens, cooking classes, food security initiatives, etc.)

Not sure what kind of program you want to run?

• See descriptions of existing programs in the Minding Our Bodies Program Directory
• Use the Minding Our Bodies Toolkit to start planning your program

Programs that receive seed funding from the Minding Our Bodies project are expected to run during the six-month period from April to September 2012.

To ask questions or discuss your program ideas before submitting your Expression of Interest, please contact us (see contact information below).

What Support Will Be Provided?

The goal of Minding Our Bodies is to build capacity within the community mental health system in Ontario to promote active living and healthy eating for people with serious mental illness. During the pilot phase (2008-2011), Minding Our Bodies conducted an environmental scan of existing initiatives and resources, created an online planning toolkit and directory of programs, delivered training workshops and sponsored 12 mental health service providers to pilot new programs in collaboration with community partners. In phase three (2011-2013), the Minding Our Bodies project will be rolled out province-wide.

In addition to seed funding (up to $5,000) for new programs, MOB will be offering:

• a series of full-day knowledge exchange forums in locations around the province
• training and support for program planning and evaluation
• a community of practice for program leaders

Staff and/or volunteers who will be participating in the program are expected to attend three educational teleconferences between January and March 2012 (dates TBA). In addition to providing an online Toolkit, Minding Our Bodies staff will be available to offer guidance and advice to organizations that receive seed funding to help them develop a full program proposal, including a detailed budget.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Lead organizations applying for Minding Our Bodies seed funding must meet all of the eligibility requirements of the Healthy Communities Fund (HCF), including the following:

• Must have a minimum of $2 million in liability insurance
• Must not have a currently active HCF grant
• Must have a risk management plan in place for the prevention of abuse

For complete details, see the 2011-2012 HCF Guidelines published by the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport.

Additionally, lead applicants must meet the following prerequisites:

• Must be a non-profit community mental health organization (including CSIs) incorporated in Ontario
• Must serve people with serious mental illness
• Must have Internet access

Proposed healthy eating and/or physical activity initiatives must:

• Make a new program or new services available for individuals with lived experience of mental illness
• Be developed in collaboration with one or more community partners
• Create opportunities for peer support and peer leadership development

Funding Restrictions

Seed funding from Minding Our Bodies cannot be used to cover the following expenses:

• Permanent staff salaries, overhead administration or management costs (these can be considered as in-kind contributions but must be directly related to the delivery of the project);
• Legal/audit fees, annual general meetings, budget deficits, membership fees, fundraising activities, committee and political meetings;
• Costs funded by other grant programs;
• One-time events or tournaments;
• Capital expenses, furniture, fixtures or other non-portable equipment; and
• Refundable Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

Obligations

Each funded organization must:

• Designate a primary contact person and keep CMHA Ontario informed of any changes affecting the program
• Attend three educational teleconferences between January and March 2012
• Prepare and submit a detailed program plan, including budget, prior to the program start in April 2012
• Provide healthy eating and/or physical activity programming for at least 15 people with serious mental illness over the six-month period (April–September 2012)
• Plan and implement a program evaluation (with support from Minding Our Bodies)
• Participate in the evaluation of the provincial Minding Our Bodies project (through interviews or focus groups)
• Maintain and submit all financial records related to the program
• Submit a post-project report by November 30, 2011
• Provide public acknowledgement of support from Minding Our Bodies and the Government of Ontario according to Healthy Communities Fund guidelines
• Allow CMHA Ontario to use the organization's name and program description in publicity materials for Minding Our Bodies, as well as, our program directory.

How to Apply

To indicate your interest in this opportunity, please submit the following information by 4:00 pm on Friday, December 2, 2011:

• Completed "Expression of Interest" form
• Letter of support signed by the CEO, Executive Director or a Board Member of your organization (one signing officer)
• Proof of liability insurance

The Minding Our Bodies project will be pleased to accept applications in French. Please note, however, that the toolkit and training resources are currently available in English only.

Expressions of Interest should be sent to:

Robyn Barbetta
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 2301
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8
Fax 416-977-2813
rbarbetta [at] ontario [dot] cmha [dot] ca

Successful applicants will be announced in late December 2011.