To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Agreement with Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation to Assist with CalFresh Outreach and Support Services
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 Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation to assist the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) increase utilization of CalFresh benefits by eligible households in an amount not to exceed $101,031.00; 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.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund 1160
DISCUSSION:
Food insecurity is a demonstrated concern at HSU. During the fall of 2015, 53% of Humboldt State University (HSU) students who completed food security surveys reported low or very low food security. The efforts of the Department of Social Work, Health Education, the Altruistic Personality and Prosocial Behavior Institute, and many other campus units, in partnership with DHHS and other agencies, have led to Oh SNAP! Student Food Programs, a cluster of comprehensive campus food security programs. Oh SNAP! serves about 20% of the HSU campus population, which includes an estimated 1,600 students. 900 students apply for CalFresh through the Oh SNAP! program’s assistance. Many HSU students run out of money long before the semester is over because of the high cost of food, housing, tuition, and books. This is often months prior to the next financial aid distribution on a campus where federal work study jobs are limited, and in a community where it is difficult to find employment that accommodates course schedules.
The primary aim of HSU’s Oh SNAP! project is to increase CalFresh enrollment of eligible HSU students through application outreach assistance, intake, and enrollment support. HSU’s Oh SNAP! Campus Food Program has received national attention as a pioneer in addressing college campus hunger and as a model for other college campuses across the state and the nation.
In addition to CalFresh application assistance, HSU’s Oh SNAP! project seeks to reduce misconceptions and stigma associated with CalFresh eligibility for college students by promoting healthy eating. The Oh SNAP! project will increase healthy food and meal distribution at cooking demonstrations, educational workshops, and targeted outreach events for many students who tend to purchase “cheap and prepared foods” because they do not know how to grow, shop, cook, or budget for affordable and healthy foods. This helps bring a positive message about CalFresh utilization, allowing student assistants to address how nutrition, access to food, and food choices are linked to chronic diseases and how eating nutritious food is associated with many positive outcomes.
With the execution of this agreement, the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation will assist DHHS in increasing CalFresh utilization by eligible households and thereby promote 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. Beyond the name and image changes, 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. Recent attention on student food insecurity by the state has increased CDSS attention on helping this population access CalFresh benefits and encouraging Social Service offices to be engaged and committed to helping campus programs enroll students in this valuable food program. Our continued partnership with Oh SNAP! is key to our county’s success in following this recommendation.
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 $75,773.25 and the remainder of $25,257.75 will be included in the FY 2020-21 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 protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board can choose not to approve the agreement for CalFresh outreach and support activities with HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation. However DHHS does not recommend this alternative because 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. Professional Services Agreement with HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation to Assist with CalFresh Outreach and Support Services
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: H-1; C-15; C-18
Meeting of: 8/16/2016; 10/17/2017; 10/2/2018
File No.: 19-1169