DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City wide
SUBJECT:
Submission of Grant Application for Senior Programs
SUMMARY:
This ordinance approves submission of grant applications to Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) for the Senior Nutrition Program in an amount up to $1,400,000.00 and the Transportation Program in an amount up to $300,000.00 for services for FY 2015 through FY 2016.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio Department of Human Services provides congregate meals and transportation services to seniors 60 and over living in San Antonio and Bexar County. These programs are funded with General Funds and Federal grants, awarded since 1973, by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services through AACOG.
The City's Senior Nutrition Program serves approximately 2,800 meals daily, Monday through Friday, at the City's Senior Center sites located throughout the community. The City partners with various community agencies to augment City operated senior center locations to provide greater access to senior nutrition services. The Transportation program provides essential door-to-door services to and from the City's Senior Centers. The program provides approximately 72,000 one-way trips annually.
For FY 2014, AACOG awarded grant funds in the amount of $1,626,258.00 for Congregate Nutrition and $138,500.00 for Supportive Services (senior transportation). A ten percent cash match is required for each grant award. FY 2014, the City provided $3,598,511.00 in matching funds to support senior programming. Since at least 1983, the City has overmatched grant funds in order to ensure community access to nutrition services.
ISSUE:
On April 28, 2014, AACOG released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for qualified social service agencies with a closing date of June 9, 2014. The RFP indicates there is a total available funding pool of $1.4 million for Congregate Nutrition and $475,800 for Supportive Services (transportation), which represents a total funding reduction of $557,332 from the prior year.
|
FY 2014 Available Funding |
FY 2015 & 2016 Available Funding |
Congregate Nutrition |
$2,088,132 |
$1,400,000.00 |
Supportive Services |
$345,000 |
$ 475,800.00 |
The Department of Human Services is currently preparing proposal submissions for both the Congregate Nutrition and Supportive Services categories. Since the total available funding for the Congregate category is reduced, DHS will apply for increased funding through the Supportive Services category to support center-based transportation, which currently is funded through Congregate Nutrition. If awarded, Supportive Services funding will assist in offsetting anticipated reductions in Congregate Nutrition and complete the shift from medical transportation services to center-based transportation.
The Department of Human Services recommends approval to apply for funds to support senior programs. If awarded, these funds will be used for continued support of the daily congregate meal at the City's participating sites and center-based transportation to City-operated sites. Accepting grant funds for senior programs is consistent with City Council's direction to provide access to senior services throughout the community.
ALTERNATIVES:
If approval to submit grant applications is not granted, the City will not be eligible to participate in the RFP process or be considered for funding and funds would be awarded to another community provider. Should the City wish to continue providing nutrition and transportation services at the current level, additional City funds would need to be identified.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance approves submission of grant applications to AACOG for the Senior Nutrition and Transportation Programs in amounts up to $1,400,000.00 and $300,000.00, respectively for the provision of senior services. This grant application provides funding for services over a two year period from FY 2015 through FY 2016.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to submit grant applications in response to the RFP issued by ACCOG for Senior Nutrition and Transportation Programs.