DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City wide
SUBJECT:
Submission and Acceptance of Grant Application for Senior Nutrition Programs
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the following related to the City’s Senior Services Program:
a) submission and acceptance of grant funding from the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) for the Senior Nutrition Program in the amount of $2,088,000.00 annually, totaling $6,264,000.00 for congregate meal services for Fiscal Year 2020 through Fiscal Year 2021;
b) a total annual program budget of $5,432,958 to include $2,088,000.00 of grant funds, a cash match of $3,344,958.00, of which funding is submitted annually as part of the General Fund budget process, and a personnel complement of 50 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.
e) approval for the Director of the Department of Human Services to execute grant contract amendments related to carry - over funds, line item budget revisions, modifications to performance measures, no cost extensions, supplemental grant funds in an amount up to 20% of the total amount awarded; reimbursement increases or decreases due to a change in the number of participants served; one-time equipment purchases or defined program services; and changes in regulations.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio Department of Human Services (DHS) provides congregate meals to seniors, 60 and over, living in San Antonio and Bexar County. This program, funded with General Funds and Federal grants, has been awarded to the City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services through AACOG since 1973.
The City’s Senior Nutrition Program serves approximately 2,300 meals daily, Monday through Friday, at 53 nutrition sites and comprehensive senior centers 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.
For Fiscal Year 2019, AACOG awarded grant funds in the amount of $2,088,000.00 for the Congregate Nutrition program. A 10% cash match is required for each grant award. In FY 2019, the City provided $3,344,958.00 in matching funds to support senior programming. Since at least 1983, the City has overmatched grant funds in order to ensure broad community access to nutrition services.
ISSUE:
In April 2019, AACOG is anticipated to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for qualified social service agencies with a grant closing date of 30 days from the announcement of the release of the RFP. Awards will be designated in the amount of $2,088,000.00 annually, totaling $6,264,000.00 for Fiscal Year 2020 through Fiscal Year 2021.
DHS recommends approval to apply and accept funds, if awarded to support the senior nutrition program. If awarded, these funds will be used for continued support of the daily congregate meal at the 53 nutrition and comprehensive senior center sites participating in the City of San Antonio’s congregate meal program. Accepting grant funds for senior programs is consistent with City Council’s direction to support initiatives that ensure seniors are healthy, engaged and independent.
Approval for the Director of the Department of Human Services to execute grant contract amendments related to carry - over funds, line item budget revisions, modifications to performance measures, no cost extensions, supplemental grant funds in an amount up to 20% of the total amount awarded; reimbursement increases or decreases due to a change in the number of participants served; one-time equipment purchases or defined program services; and changes in regulations.
ALTERNATIVES:
If approval to submit grant applications is not authorized, the City will not be eligible to be considered for funding and funds would be awarded to another community provider. Should the City wish to continue providing nutrition services at the current level, additional City funds would need to be identified.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the following: a) acceptance of grant funding from the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) for the Senior Nutrition Program in the amount of $2,088,000.00 annually, totaling $6,264,000.00 for congregate meal services for Fiscal Year 2020 through Fiscal Year 2021;
b) a total annual program budget of $5,432,958 to include $2,088,000.00 of grant funds, a cash match of $3,344,958.00, of which funding is submitted annually as part of the General Fund budget process, and a personnel complement of 50 positions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance to submit grant applications in response to the RFP issued by ACCOG and to accept the grant if awarded for Senior Nutrition Program.