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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Accept anticipated funding allocation in the estimated amount of approximately $489,000 from the California Department of Social Services for the provision of planning and implementing SNAP-Ed (GetFresh), in accordance with the intent of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 and the “SNAP: Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program,” for a term to begin October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2017;
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 086-2015 authorizing the HHSA Director to sign all necessary documents required to secure the revenue from said agency, contingent upon approval by County Counsel, and Risk Management if needed;
3) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 087-2015 for the addition of 1.0 FTE Health Program Specialist allocation, limited term, to provide the necessary staffing to successfully fulfill the funding requirements; and
4) Approve and authorize the HHSA Director or Chief Fiscal Officer to execute any required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: State and Federal Funding, Public Health Realignment dollars.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending that the Board accept this anticipated funding allocation from the California Department of Social Services and delegate authority via resolution to the HHSA Director to execute, on behalf of the County, all necessary documents to secure this funding.
In addition, HHSA recommends the Board approve one personnel allocation resolution adding a limited term 1.0 FTE Health Program Specialist in accordance with the needs of the funding. Lastly, HHSA recommends that the Board approve one HHSA staff member to attend the 8th Annual Childhood Obesity Conference in keeping with the activities of the SNAP-Ed funding agreement.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
For 50 years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has served as the foundation of America’s safety net. SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger and provides a powerful tool to improve nutrition among low-income people. SNAP is effective in its mission to mitigate the effects of poverty on food insecurity.
SNAP-Ed is overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, in accordance with the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. SNAP-Ed is an intervention program designed to be delivered through educational and promotional activities, multilevel interventions, and community and public health approaches including policy, systems, and environmental change efforts. It also provides nutrition assistance to people with low income.
On April 7, 2015, HHSA received an email notice from California Department of Social Services that the County of El Dorado had been selected to be part of the California SNAP-Ed Get Fresh Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2016-17, which included the estimated allocation amount, and with the program starting October 1, 2015. In an effort to ensure the program is ready to begin prompty upon the commencement of the funding period, HHSA is requesting the Board approve this request prior to receipt of the funding.
To help develop the promotional activities, interventions, and partnerships, one HHSA staff member will attend the 8th Annual Childhood Obesity Conference in San Diego, California. The focus of the conference is to share and discuss emerging research, best practices, community-based efforts and effective policy strategies that promote and sustain healthy eating and physical activity practices for children, adolescents and their families. In addition, it will highlight how collective impact principles coupled with evidence and practice based strategies can be used to effectively and efficiently combat the socioecological factors that contribute to overweight/obesity in children and adolescents.
A limited term Health Program Specialist position has been requested to assist in fulfilling the funding requirements. Since the SNAP-Ed funding is only for a limited amount of time, this addition is necessary to ensure existing staff continue to fulfill requirements of established revenue agreements.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may decide to decline the opportunity for this funding and SNAP-Ed program.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Concurrence by County Counsel and Human Resources.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item if it would like to expedite the process in which HHSA can start this program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this revenue. Sufficient appropriations will be included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-16 Budget. Further funding will be included in future FY Budget Requests for the term of the funding.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1. Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) originals of each Resolution.
2. Clerk of the Board to return one (1) certified Minute Order and one original of each Resolution to HHSA at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Project 2.4.3 - Efficiency in Funding - Develop a Grant Application and Funding Utilization process within HHSA.
CONTACT
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director