CPRA–Jays Care Foundation Initiative
Jays Care Foundation’s vision is to create a level playing field for all children and youth across Canada. We know that community organizations across Canada are facing many challenges this year and many children in your communities are stepping up to the plate with two strikes already against them. We use the power of sport and play to create reliable programming for children and youth who are most often left out. Our programs cater to self-identified girls, individuals with disabilities, Indigenous youth, and youth living in poverty.
Applications are open now for local governments* to participate in the CPRA–Jays Care Foundation Initiative.
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Become a Jays Care Canadian Local Government Partner!
CPRA is proud to work with Jays Care Foundation to increase access to quality sport and physical activity through their award-winning Challenger Baseball and Girls At Bat programs.
Local governments* can apply to be a Jays Care Foundation partner and receive free virtual training and all the equipment needed to start up a Challenger Baseball or Girls At Bat program. These programs aim to use baseball or softball as a tool to enhance connection, belonging, and access to sport opportunities to kids most often sitting on the sidelines.
Your community can apply to receive free training and equipment to run either Girls At Bat or Challenger Baseball. Click here to access the online application.
Before you begin, read through the FAQ below. It will help you get all the information together for your online application. If you have questions, you can email [email protected].
*Local governments include municipalities, cities and towns, villages, regional districts, and Indigenous communities and governments. Other community groups are eligible to apply through the Community Partners stream.
Hamilton Scores Big with Inclusive Baseball Programs
Milton Hits a Home Run with Jays Care Program
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What is the typical timeframe for receiving approval notice after a Local Government submits their application?
You should hear from someone from Jays Care Foundation within 2 weeks after the application deadline.
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Is proof of insurance required for participation in the program?
The application form includes a confirmation checkbox where you can confirm that you have insurance to run recreation and sport programming.
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Can we adjust the program hours to align with our existing programs, exceeding a duration of 5 hours?
Certainly! If you have selected Integrated Program as your program option, you can adjust the hours to fit with their existing programs as long as they adhere to the minimum of 5 hours per athlete. For example, if you have an 8-week program, you can extend it beyond 5 hours per session. 5 hours represents the minimum required duration for the Integrated program.
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Can we extend the duration of the program beyond our initial proposal?
If you see your program is running successfully, you can extend it beyond the proposed timelines. We kindly ask that you inform a Michael Manansala at [email protected] the new proposed end date to ensure impact report survey can be sent to you accordingly.
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Is it mandatory to include the entire age range (6 – 18) in the program?
You are not required to include the 6-18 age group in your program. The age range is set based on what age group you are targeting.
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Can we implement both the Girls At Bat and Challenger Baseball programs simultaneously?
Absolutely, you can implement both programs concurrently. It is up to you to determine the launch and end dates of each program.
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Is access to a field/baseball diamond necessary to conduct the program?
A Jays Care program can be conducted anywhere, including gymnasiums, fields, paved areas, etc.
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What is the maximum number of children eligible to register for the program?
The maximum number of children eligible to register is determined by your local government policies regarding program capacity. Typically, program capacity aligns with the staff-to-child ratio.
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What is the staff-to-children ratio for the program?
The staff-to-child ratio is determined by your local government policies.
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Can we have male staff for our Girls at Bat program?
Absolutely! Male staff are welcome to lead a Girls At Bat program. The focus is to provide a space for self-identified female athletes to participate in a sports program.
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What should be done if a frontline staff member is unable to attend their scheduled training session?
Contact Michael Manansala at [email protected] for alternative dates. If none of the dates work, we will endeavor to make other accommodations.
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Are all staff members required to complete the Child Protection training provided by Jays Care?
While we encourage all staff members to attend the Jays Care Child Protection training to enhance their knowledge, it is not mandatory as per the partnership agreement.
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Must the partnership agreement be signed before staff can participate in training?
After signing the partnership agreement, an email will be sent out with Zoom links to register for training. There are accommodations available for staff to participate in training before the partnership agreement is signed.
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What are the distinctions between indoor and outdoor equipment?
The main distinctions between indoor and outdoor equipment lie in their suitability for different environments. Outdoor equipment is designed for use in open-air environments such as baseball diamonds and school fields, while indoor equipment is intended for enclosed spaces like school gyms or indoor recreation spaces.
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How can additional equipment be requested?
You can request additional equipment by sending an email to Michael Manansala at [email protected] with specific item and quantity. Please note, additional equipment may take up to 2-3 weeks, dependent on inventory.
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Do we have to return the equipment?
No, all equipment and items contained in the coach kit are yours to keep for continuing the program and/or for use in other programs.
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Does Jays Care provide session plans for frontline staff to utilize?
Yes, the Coach Manual includes 8 session plans for frontline staff to follow, along with templates and activities to help them develop their own session plans.
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Is there a French-language option available for program resources such as manuals and cards?
Yes, all program resources including manuals, posters, and cards have a French option available. To request French options, please contact Michael Manansala at [email protected].