Massachusetts Children at Play (MCAP) is part of a broad-based, statewide initiative to reduce childhood obesity and prevent its complications in childhood and, later, in adulthood. MCAP provides guidance for child care providers to create healthier child care environments across the state.

HRiA provided technical assistance to help MCAP engage stakeholders and promote the program, with a goal of ensuring the sustainability of this and other programs that promote healthy eating, exercise, and physical activity for children. HRiA held planning meetings, and facilitated two stakeholder engagement forums with representatives from early childhood education, higher education, childcare providers, Head Start, WIC/Nutrition, preschool programs, YMCA, MA Department of Public Health, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and MCAP mentors and program sites. HRiA provided technical assistance and facilitation to enable this expanded group to network and align their goals and objectives for early childhood priorities.