01-05-1999 - Reapplication for Older Americans Act Funds. City of West Covina
Memorandum
TO: City Council
City Manager
FROM: Patricia Bommarito
Acting Community Services Director
AGENDA
ITEM NO. B-6b
DATE: January 5, 1999
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
SUBJECT: REAPPLICATION FOR OLDER AMERICANS ACT FUNDS
SUMMARY: The Los Angeles County Department of Community and Senior Citizens
Services has funds available for senior programming and services. The
Community Services Department is seeking authorization to reapply for
grant funds for the Senior Citizens Meals Program, however, under the
condition that certain aspects of the existing program be modified to
enhance service to the community.
BACKGROUND
Funding for nutrition services from the Older Americans Act is made available through
the County of Los Angeles Department of Community and Senior Services. Open bid
applications for such funding are facilitated on a four year cycle, with renewal
applications. conducted on a yearly basis. The City of West Covina has successfully
received a meal grant since 1995, and as such, has received a total of $75,000 in grant
funds annually. The grant is paid per diem at a rate of $1.82 per meal, plus .578 cents per
meal from USDA for persons over the age of 60. The program also includes a
"suggested donation" of $1.75 per meal to offset the cost of staffing and food.
As of November 1998, the program has served over 14,700 meals to persons over 60. At
least 1,500 of these individuals are unduplicated clients. The activity represents a I I%
increase from last fiscal year, or 1500 more meals than in November 1997. It also
represents the `value' of the program to our West Covina seniors.
Commensurate with participation levels, the program has received $28,944 in grant funds
and $35,056 in meal donations. These figures are expected to double by year end.
DISCUSSION/ PROPOSAL
Staff has just received notice of Request for Proposals for the 1999-2003 funding cycle.
Under Title III-Cl of the Older Americans Act, the City can solicit meal funds from this
competitive grant program. A bidder's conference is being conducted by the County on
Tuesday, January 19, 1999 to further explain eligibility and requirements. All proposals
for grant funds will be due by February 23, 1999.
The Community Services Department will utilize grant funds to offset the cost of the
existing Senior Meals Program. We are proposing, however, to enhance the program
through the contracting of senior meals. Currently, meals are prepared by City -employed
cooks and assistants: The proposed format would seek the services of a contractor to
come in and prepare the meals. According to sites researched (ie, El Monte Senior
Center and South El Monte Senior Center), the alternative still preserves the quality of
meals while eliminating supervision and management of meals staff
Representatives of the Support Group and the Senior Commission have visited the above
referenced sites to evaluate the quality and cost effectiveness of a contract meals
operation. At the December 131h meeting of the Senior Commission, they concurred with
staff s proposal to contract and recommended that staff pursue a contract with Huntington
Food Services to provide cooked on -site meals at the West Covina Senior Center.
FISCAL IMPACT
Although not solidified pending the bidder's conference, staff will be requesting $75,000
in grant funds. This amount could increase upon further review and determination of
projected participation rates.
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Meanwhile, staff is a requesting $25,000 through CommtAy Development Block
Grant funds. The apple ation for these funds are due January 2971999 to the Community
Services Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following Resolution authorizing the
Community Services Director to solicit senior meal grant funds from the Los Angeles
County Area Agency on Aging under Title III-C 1 of the Older Americans Act.
Acting Community Services Director
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