DEPARTMENT: Department of Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Senior Nutrition Program
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the following budgetary actions related to the City's FY 2015 Senior Nutrition Program: acceptance of a continuation grant from the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) in the amount of $1,967,590.00; a cash match of $3,517,616.00 included in the FY 2015 Adopted General Fund Budget; an adjustment in cash match of $80,895.00 from the Supportive Services for the Elderly Program (SSEP) to the Senior Nutrition Program; a total program budget of $5,631,101.00, which includes an estimated $65,000.00 in client contributions, for the period of October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015; a personnel complement of 52 grant funded positions in the Department of Human Services (DHS) to manage the Senior Nutrition Program; and authorizes DHS to enter into agreements with local higher education institutions to provide internships within the City's Senior Centers for students working toward a degree in Social Services or Public Health.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City's Senior Nutrition Program provides seniors 60 and over with a meal and nutritional information in a congregate setting. The program serves approximately 2,700 meals daily, Monday through Friday, at the City's Senior Center sites located throughout the community. The City operates 7 comprehensive senior centers and 10 senior nutrition sites and partners with community agencies to provide senior nutrition programs at 46 sites. These partnerships provide optimal access to senior nutrition services by utilizing vendor and volunteer contracts, which were approved in the FY 2015 Adopted Budget.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) operates the program using City General Fund and federal grant funds awarded by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services through AACOG. The City has received Federal Funds from AACOG since 1973. For FY 2015, AACOG has indicated that grant funds in the amount of $1,967,590.00 are available to the City. This award amount is an increase from the $1,939,022.00 received in FY 2014, including $312,764.00 in supplemental funds received in August 2014.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a continuation grant from AACOG of $1,967,590.00 and a total Senior Nutrition Program budget of $5,631,101.00 to support the provision of congregate meal service to seniors in San Antonio and Bexar County. The total Senior Services budget including general funds and grant funds is $12.71 million.
DHS is proposing a Nutrition Program Personnel Complement of 52; however, a total of 101 full and part-time authorized positions deliver all Senior Center programming as summarized in the table below:
Program |
Nutrition Program Grant |
General Fund |
Total |
Senior Transportation |
14 |
11 |
25 |
Nutrition and Center Operations* |
38 |
38 |
76 |
Total |
52 |
49 |
101 |
*This figure includes staff support for administration, Multi-Service Senior Centers (D2, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8 and D10), and Community Centers (Frank Garrett West End Center and Claude Black Center).
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 $65,000.00 in program donations to be used to support the meal program. The suggested donation rate has been the same for over 15 years. DHS is in the process of reviewing the donation rate, researching best practices, and holding focus groups with seniors to determine if the current rate is appropriate. Anticipate briefing recommendation to the Quality of Life Committee in February 2015.
DHS is also seeking to enter into agreements with local higher education institutions to provide internships within the City's Senior Centers for students working toward a degree in Social Services or Public Health. Currently many local education institutions are looking for placement of students in these areas of study for practical experience. The placement of these students benefits both the education institution allowing students field experience and the Senior Centers in providing seniors with exposure to health and wellness events and activities.
Accepting grant funds for the Senior Nutrition Program is consistent with City Council's direction to provide access to senior nutrition services throughout the community.
ALTERNATIVES:
If awarded funds are not accepted, AACOG would need to identify another contractor to receive the funds. The process of identifying a new contractor to implement services would take a minimum of three months and delay provision of services to the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of a continuation grant from AACOG of $1,967,590.00 for a total Senior Nutrition Program budget of $5,631,101.00 to support the provision of congregate meal service to seniors in San Antonio and Bexar County. This includes the realignment of $80,895.00 match funds from SSEP, a total complement of 52 positions for the provision of senior nutrition services and authorization to enter into agreements with local higher education institutions to provide internships within the City's Senior Centers. There is no additional fiscal impact related to this action.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing acceptance of the Senior Nutrition Program Grant from AACOG; the total program budget; a personnel complement of 52 positions for the support of senior nutrition services; authorization to enter into agreements with local higher education institutions to provide internships within the City's Senior Centers.