To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement with Food for People, Inc. to Assist with CalFresh Outreach and Support Activities
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with Food for People, Inc. to assist the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) increase utilization of CalFresh benefits by eligible households in an amount not to exceed $992,584.74; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to route the fully executed agreement to the DHHS-Contract Unit for forwarding to DHHS-Social Services Administration.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund 1160
DISCUSSION:
Food for People (FFP) is the designated food bank for Humboldt County and provides a range of hunger relief services, including an on-site Choice Pantry in Eureka, Backpacks for Kids, Summer Lunch, Mobile Produce Pantry, Senior Brown Bag and Homebound Delivery programs, Emergency Food and Disaster Program, Pantry Network hosting, and CalFresh Outreach. FFP currently reaches a minimum of 3,000 low-income individuals each month.
FFP plays a vital role in CalFresh outreach in Humboldt County. FFP provides food, training and support, as well as CalFresh pre-screening, application assistance and/or printed materials to its main site as well as 16 different remote pantry sites, Senior Brown Bag, Homebound Delivery, Backpacks for Kids, Mobile Produce Pantry, seasonal free produce distribution, and community outreach programs in Humboldt County. FFP also provides nonperishable food and outreach and referral assistance in partnership with DHHS mobile outreach programs. In addition to integrating CalFresh outreach into all FFP programs, FFP produces educational materials, partners with other agencies on related projects, hosts and manages the CalFresh Task Force, and maintains the CalFresh Task Force website, which includes outreach support materials for all partners.
With the execution of this agreement, FFP will continue to assist DHHS in increasing CalFresh utilization by eligible households thereby promoting a safe, healthy, economically vibrant community. Outreach and enrollment raises awareness of the nutrition benefits of the CalFresh program, promotes healthy food choices, reduces hunger in seniors and children, and helps to dispel program myths and misperceptions.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) administers all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds. Focusing on the important role SNAP plays in access to nutrition and the relation of nutrition to overall wellness, CDSS renamed and re-branded food stamps as CalFresh in California. CDSS also made significant program changes to increase CalFresh use by reducing enrollment and retention barriers. Many low-income individuals and families are not aware of and do not apply for CalFresh benefits, and many others are not aware of the program changes that could make it easier for them to receive and continue CalFresh benefits.
USDA and CDSS continue to encourage counties to work with community partners to help reach and inform community members who might be eligible for CalFresh benefits. Partnering with community-based organizations is not only consistent with DHHS’s general approach and strategic plan; it is key to DHHS’s goal of providing integrated, place-based, and holistic services.
DHHS recommends that the Board approves and authorizes the Chair to execute this agreement and directs the Clerk of the Board to return two executed originals of the agreement to the DHHS-Social Services Administration.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with this agreement have been budgeted in the approved fiscal year (FY) 2019-20 budget in fund 1160, budget unit 511 (CalFresh), in the amount of $744,438.55. The remainder of $248,146.19 will be included in the FY 2020-21 fiscal year county budget. CalFresh is funded through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - U.S. Department of Agriculture. There will be no impact to the county General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board can choose not to approve the agreement for the CalFresh Outreach and Support activities with FFP. This is not recommended as the Department of Health and Human Services asserts this funding is important to the goal of increasing CalFresh participation and thereby improving the health and economic stability of children, families and other individuals in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Agreement with Food for People to Assist with CalFresh Outreach and Support Activities
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-10; C-13; C-8; C-7; C-8; C-11; C-11
Meeting of: 3/20/2012; 11/12/2013; 9/16/2014; 10/13/2015; 9/6/2016; 10/17/2017; 9/25/2018
File No.: 19-1168