DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Janet A. Martin, Interim Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Grant Application and Acceptance of NRPA/Walmart Foundation 2016 Out-of School Time Programs Grant
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award in the amount of $35,000.00 from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in partnership with the Walmart Foundation. This ordinance also authorizes the establishment of a project budget in the amount of $35,000.00. This grant will provide nutrition programming for youth, host family orientation events and increase healthy eating promotion to be implemented at select sites during the Summer Youth Program and Summer Food Service Program offered by the Parks and Recreation Department for the period of June 13, 2016, through August 19, 2016.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks, recreation, and conservation. The objectives of this proposed grant are to increase the number of meals served through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), provide nutrition literacy to children and families, work toward standards that increase access to healthier foods and a healthy eating environment, and promote meal efficiencies that decrease food waste and improvement sustainability for feeding programs. If awarded, the grant will allow the Parks and Recreation Department (SAPAR) to hire six temporary instructors to teach nutrition literacy lessons, promote the Summer Food Service Programs, and host family nutrition events in conjunction with the Summer Youth Program 2016 at 24 sites.
SAPAR has provided recreational summer programs for youth for over 25 years. These programs provide supervised, structured recreational activities to children ages six (6) through fourteen (14) years. The program operates for eight weeks and serves over 5,700 children each summer, consisting of both Parks Department community centers and school sites. Since 1969, SAPAR has offered the Summer Food Service Program that provides nutritional meals to children age eighteen and below in our community during the summer months. The program will enable service to over 7,600 children, with maximum capacity to serve approximately 291,820 lunches and 273,190 snacks throughout the summer in conjunction with the SAPAR’s Summer Youth Programs and other city-wide non-profit organizations’ programs at over 71 sites. Parks and Recreation staff coordinates with Metro Health to ensure a Por Vida designated and reduced sodium healthy menu.
The proposed budget for the NRPA/Walmart Foundation 2016 Out-Of-School Time Programs grant is outlined in Attachment I. The positions will meet all applicable guidelines regarding temporary employees.
ISSUE:
The NRPA/Walmart Foundation 2016 Out-Of-School Time Programs grant application is consistent with City policy to apply for grants to enhance service delivery by supplementing local funds. Grant funds would be utilized to provide nutrition programming for youth, host family orientation events and increase healthy eating promotion consistent with the Adopted Parks and Recreation System Strategic Plan.
ALTERNATIVES:
NRPA grant funds are awarded on a limited basis and if the City chooses not to accept the grant, the City will lose the opportunity to provide this nutritional programming, host family orientation events and increase healthy eating promotion for the Summer Youth Program and Summer Food Service Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action has no general fund impact. No matching or other additional funding for this grant is required. This action will establish a project budget in the amount of $35,000.00 for nutrition programming.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award in the amount of $35,000.00 from the National Recreation and Park Association in partnership with the Walmart Foundation and the establishment of a project budget.