To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Social Services
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Professional Services Agreement with the Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation Regarding the Provision of Community Outreach and Support Services Related to the CalFresh Program
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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 the Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation regarding the provision of community outreach and support services related to the CalFresh program in an amount not to exceed $85,709 for the period of Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021;
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with the Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one fully executed original copy of the attached professional services agreement with the Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Social Services Fund - Fund 1610
DISCUSSION:
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 continue to lack awareness of the program and do not apply for CalFresh benefits. Many others are not aware of program changes that can make it easier for them to receive CalFresh benefits.
USDA and CDSS have encouraged counties to work with community partners to help reach and inform community members who might be eligible for CalFresh benefits. Continuing work through outreach partnerships with community-based organizations has led to a significant increase in CalFresh enrollment within Humboldt County and throughout the state.
Food insecurity is a demonstrated concern at Humboldt State University (HSU). During the fall of 2015, 53% of HSU students who completed food security surveys reported low or very low food security. As a result, the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation established the Oh SNAP student food program. The primary aim of the Oh SNAP program is to increase CalFresh enrollment of eligible HSU students through application assistance and enrollment support. The Oh SNAP program currently serves about 20% of the HSU campus population, which includes an estimated 1,600 students. Approximately 900 HSU students apply for CalFresh benefits through the Oh SNAP program.
In addition to CalFresh application assistance and enrollment support, the Oh SNAP program seeks to reduce misconceptions and stigma associated with CalFresh eligibility for college students by promoting healthy eating. The Oh SNAP program aims to increase healthy food and meal distribution through 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. Such efforts help bring a positive message about CalFresh utilization and also allows student assistants to address how nutrition, access to food and food choices are linked to chronic diseases as well as how eating nutritious food is associated with many positive outcomes.
The HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation has partnered with the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Social Services (DHHS - Social Services) regarding the provision of CalFresh community outreach and support services over the past 7 years. The attached professional services agreement will allow the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation to continue providing community outreach and support services that are designed to increase CalFresh utilization by eligible HSU students, raise awareness of the nutrition benefits of the CalFresh program, promote healthy food choices and help to dispel program myths and misperceptions.
Accordingly, DHHS - Social Services recommends that the Board approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute, the attached professional services agreement with the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation regarding the provision of community outreach and support services related to the CalFresh program for the period of Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021. Staff also recommends that the Board authorize the DHHS - Social Services Director, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to the attached professional services agreement with the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the provision of needed community outreach and support services.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached professional services agreement with the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation has a maximum amount payable of $85,709 for the period of Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021. However, in the event local, state or federal funding is reduced or eliminated, the County of Humboldt may reduce the above-referenced maximum amount payable or terminate the attached professional services agreement with the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation in its entirety.
Expenditure appropriations related to the attached professional services agreement with the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation have been included in the approved fiscal year 2020-2021 budget for DHHS - Social Services budget unit 1160-511. Funding for the attached professional services agreement with the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation is available through CalFresh revenues received by DHHS - Social Services. As a result, approval of the attached professional services agreement with the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for improved safety and health, providing community-appropriate levels of service and facilitating public/private partnerships to solve problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
HSU, USDA, CDSS
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached professional services agreement with the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation regarding the provision of community outreach and support services related to the CalFresh program. However, this alternative is not recommended since it will limit DHHS - Social Services’ ability to increase CalFresh participation and thereby improve the health and economic stability of children, families and other individuals in Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Professional Services Agreement with the Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation Regarding the Provision of Community Outreach and Support Services Related to the CalFresh Program
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: H-1; C-15; C-18; C-8
Meeting of: 8/16/2016; 10/17/2017; 10/2/2018; 8/27/2019;
File No.: 16-1245; 16-2952; 16-4840; 16-7385; 17-2466; 18-1202; 19-1169; 20-1140