DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jennifer Herriott, MPH
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Authorizing an agreement with the Culinary Health Education for Families for the data analysis of the CHEF Bites curriculum in elementary schools
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes an agreement with the Culinary Health Education for Families, (“CHEF”) and authorizes the acceptance of compensation from CHEF in the amount of $6,500.00 for the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, and further provides two, one-year renewal options, for San Antonio Metropolitan Heath District’s (Metro Health’s) activities supporting the data analysis of the CHEF Bites curriculum in elementary schools.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In San Antonio, 25% of Latino kids are obese and many more are at risk for obesity later in life. Eating habits are one piece of the puzzle of combatting chronic disease and preventing type 2 diabetes and weight-related health conditions. The Culinary Health Education for Families (CHEF) program was started in 2014 to address these issues through nutrition education and culinary classes focused on creating healthy habits within the family unit. CHEF Bites is nutrition and culinary curriculum specifically to be taught within elementary schools throughout San Antonio. Each class is designed to encourage families to cook more at home, build confidence in the kitchen, and embrace whole foods as the body’s best medicine.
Metro Health supports the CHEF Bites program through the Mayor’s Fitness Council and Healthy Neighborhoods Program. Through an agreement with CHEF, Metro Health would provide epidemiological services related to data analysis of the CHEF Bites program. The work to be performed through the proposed agreement would benefit both entities as a way to evaluate program effectiveness and to modify the evaluation methods for continuous improvement of the CHEF Bites program.
ISSUE:
Type 2 diabetes and weight-related health conditions are major public health concerns in San Antonio and Bexar County and prevention must start at a young age to create healthy habits for life. Metro Health is requesting City Council authorization of an agreement with CHEF. Through the agreement with CHEF, Metro Health staff will provide services that include a detailed work plan, technical assistance related to survey design and data collection protocols, and data management
ALTERNATIVES:
Without the proposed agreement, Metro Health would not be able to serve as key personnel on this project and provide the required epidemiological support to the data analysis of the CHEF Bites curriculum in elementary schools.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes an agreement with the Culinary Health Education for Families, (“CHEF”) and authorizes the acceptance of compensation from CHEF in the amount of $6,500.00 for epidemiological services provided by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for the data analysis of the CHEF Bites curriculum in elementary schools, for a term beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2020, with options to renew for two, one-year terms for a total amount of compensation of up to $19,500.00 inclusive of renewals.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing the execution of an agreement with CHEF to provide epidemiological support and data analysis to evaluate the CHEF Bites curriculum effectiveness in improving knowledge and health behaviors in elementary students.