DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Senior Nutrition Program and Memoranda of Agreement
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the following related to the City’s Senior Services Program:
a) acceptance of grant funding from the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) in the amount of $1,876,000.00 for the Senior Nutrition Program and $37,500.00 for the Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities for the period of October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018;
b) a total FY 2018 program budget of $5,390,611.00 to include the grant funds, a cash match of $3,437,111.00 from the FY 2018 General Fund ($3,399,611.00 for the Senior Nutrition Program and $37,500.00 for the Mobility of seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grants) appropriated in the FY 2018 Adopted General Fund Budget, an estimated $40,000.00 in client donations, and a personnel complement of 50 grant funded positions;
c) Memoranda of Agreements (MOAs) with educational and community-based organizations to utilize volunteers such as students, staff, or services in support of the Senior Services Program at City facilities at no cost to the City or City’s clients; and
d) approval for the Director of Human Services to execute any and all documents related to acceptance of this grant, to include acceptance of additional grant funds, if awarded and matching funds are available in the City’s budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City’s Senior Services Program provides services to 33,000 seniors age 60 and above annually. Services include a midday meal in a congregate setting, as well as health and wellness, exercise, arts, computer instruction, nutritional education, case management and social activities. The program serves approximately 2,980 meals to seniors daily, Monday through Friday, at the City’s Senior Centers and Nutrition Sites located throughout the community. The program provides seniors transportation to all City-operated Senior Centers living within a five-mile radius of the center. On average, 99,060 one way trips are provided to 1,333 seniors to the City operated Senior Centers.
The City operates 10 comprehensive senior centers, 8 Senior Nutrition Sites and will continue to partner with community agencies to provide senior nutrition programs at 38 sites. These partnerships provide optimal access to senior nutrition services by utilizing vendor and volunteer contracts.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) operates the program using City General Fund and federal grant funds from the Health and Human Services Commission, awarded through AACOG. The City has received federal funds through AACOG since 1973. For FY 2018, AACOG indicated that grant funds in the amount of $1,876,000.00 are available to the City which represents the same amount awarded in FY 2017. This award amount provides level grant funding for FY 2018.
On April 21 2017, AACOG notified DHS of available Federal Transit Administration Program for Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (FTA) funding in the amount of $37,500. These funds will support 2,486 trips for seniors to the Senior Centers for congregate meals and City sponsored events.
The City partners with educational and community-based organizations that provide health, wellness, or educational services within DHS facilities at no cost to the City or City’s clients. This will authorize MOAs with organizations to provide such services.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of grant funding from AACOG in the amount of $1,876,000.00 for the Senior Nutrition Program and $37,500.00 for the Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities. This action authorizes a total Senior Nutrition Program budget of $5,390,611.00 which includes the grant funds and a cash match of $3,437,111.00 from the FY 2018 General Fund ($3,399,611.00 for the Senior Nutrition Program and $37,500.00 for the Mobility of seniors with Disabilities grants) appropriated in the FY 2018 Adopted General Fund Budget, and an estimated $40,000.00 in client donations to support the provision of congregate meal and transportation services for senior in San Antonio and Bexar County. This council item also recommends a Personnel Complement of 50 positions.
DHS, as required by Older Americans Act (OAA) grant regulations, provides participants the opportunity to voluntarily contribute to the cost of services. DHS currently suggests a donation rate of $.50 per meal and anticipates receiving $40,000.00 in program donations to be used to support the meal program.
This item also approves Memoranda of Agreement with educational and community-based organizations to enhance programs and services at no cost to the City or senior participants.
ALTERNATIVES:
If awarded funds are not accepted, AACOG would need to identify another grantee to receive the funds. The process of identifying a new grantee to implement services would take a minimum of three months and may delay the provision of services to the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of grant funding from the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) in the amount of $1,876,000.00 for the Senior Nutrition Program and $37,500 for the Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, for a total program budget of $5,390,611.00, to include a cash match of $3,437,111.00 ($3,399,611.00 for the Senior Nutrition Program and $37,500.00 for the Mobility of seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grants) appropriated in the FY 2018 Adopted General Fund Budget, and an estimated $40,000.00 in client donations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing acceptance of Senior Nutrition Program and Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities grants from AACOG, the total program budget, a personnel complement of 50 positions, and MOAs with educational and community based organizations in support of the Senior Nutrition Program, and authorization to accept supplemental funds, if awarded.