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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Accept funding from the California Department of Aging and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement CF-1920-29 in the amount of $32,606 for the provision of CalFresh expansion services for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020;
2) Authorize the HHSA Director to execute any additional documents or amendments related to Agreement CF-1920-29 contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
4) Authorize the HHSA Director or Chief Fiscal Officer to administer any subsequent administrative documents relating to said funding, including required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: Federal and State Funding: 50% State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; 50% California Department of Aging.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The CalFresh Program is a federally funded program that helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) were previously not eligible to receive CalFresh assistance, however, as of June 1, 2019; CalFresh was expanded to allow SSI/SSP recipients to receive the benefit.
Under this Agreement, the California Department of Aging (CDA) will provide funds to assist with outreach and application assistance for those affected. The expansion activities covered under this Agreement will only apply to County of El Dorado (County) residents 60 years of age or older and disabled adults who are potentially eligible or currently receiving SSI/SSP.
The performance service goal outlined in this Agreement is for 133 older adults in the County to receive application assistance by the County’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA), the County agency responsible for the administration of older adult programs. AAA develops and implements the Area Plan for Older Adult Services in the County.
Upon approval of the CalFresh benefit, those receiving SSI/SSP will also receive monthly CalFresh benefits that will help stretch their food dollars to purchase nutritious foods for better overall health. These individuals will be able to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase food at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts the EBT card.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to accept funding for CalFresh outreach services, which would limit the Area Agency on Aging’s ability to inform and assist County SSI/SSP recipients in obtaining the expanded CalFresh benefit.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. Services to be provided under the Board's acceptance of the California Department of Aging Funding Agreement CF-1920-29. Suffucient appropriations exist within the Department's FY 2019-20 Budget, and no budget amendment is necessary.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain the signature of Chair on four (4) original Funding Agreements CF-1920-CF.
2) Clerk of the Board to obtain the signature of Chair on two (2) Information Integrity and Security Statement Certifications.
3) Clerk of the Board to obtain the signature of Chair on two (2) California Civil Rights Law Certifications.
4) Clerk of the Board to return eight (8) fully executed documents to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan: Goal #5 - “Healthy Communities: Improved health, well-being and self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents and visitors.”
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director