City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of Grant Award Acceptance from the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) Center for Economic Well-Being (CEW) to the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) to increase older adults’ participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
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ISSUE: Consideration of grant acceptance of the Department of Community and Human Services grant award for the Center for Economic Support (CES) to conduct outreach, assist older adults with completion of applications, and increase overall participation of older adults in the SNAP program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Authorize the retroactive acceptance of a $100,000 grant to DCHS for NCOA’s Senior SNAP Initiative. This 18-month grant, which requires no matching funds, will support outreach, application assistance, and enrollment of 1,500 older adults (age 60+) in the SNAP program.
2. Authorize the employment of temporary staff, supervised by the Food Security Coordinator to implement the grant; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The National Council on Aging (NCOA) Center for Economic Well-Being (CEW), with funding from the Walmart Foundation, announced a funding opportunity for the 2024-2026 Senior SNAP Enrollment Initiative. This initiative aims to increase food security among older adults (age 60+) by establishing a network of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Enrollment Centers (SECs) across 20 states. Each selected organization receives a grant ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, along with technical assistance, to help a combined nationwide total of 20,000 older adults enroll in SNAP over an 18-month period, from November 1, 2024, to April 30, 2026. According to NCOA data, Virginia’s participation rate in the SNAP program for older adults is 37.4% with an estimated 109,536 eligible older adults not participating in the program. Alexandria’s participation rate for seniors is 26.9%, indicating a need to address access to the SNAP program for older adults.
DCHS submitted the application on August 30, 2024. On October 10, 2024, DCHS was informed of its selection as one of 20 grantees. The award amount is $100,000 to serve as a SNAP Enrollment Center and assist older adults with SNAP enrollment and application assistance. The NCOA will officially launch the initiative and begin the grant period with a kickoff meeting on November 19, 2024, and a public announcement on November 25th.
DISCUSSION: DCHS’ proposal for the Senior SNAP Enrollment Initiative grant highlighted extensive experience and capacity to assist older adults with SNAP applications. The grant will be managed by the Food Security Coordinator and will focus on expanding outreach and enrollment efforts to address food insecurity among adults aged 60+ in the community. The $100,000 award will be used to enhance existing initiatives to enroll 1,500 older adults in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the 18-month period.
Scope of Work:
1. Outreach and Partnerships: Collaborative work with local senior centers, healthcare providers, community organizations, and faith-based groups to conduct targeted outreach. Monthly enrollment events will be held at these community hubs, with additional on-site sessions in underserved areas, including senior apartment complexes. The strategy will also leverage direct mail, phone calls, and social media campaigns, supported by the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS). Senior ambassadors from Senior Services of Alexandria, a group of 150 senior peers, will promote SNAP benefits, using their trusted voices to reach their neighborhoods and communities.
2. Enhanced Enrollment Support: To simplify the application process, temporary staff will conduct one-on-one assistance, including home visits for homebound or mobility-challenged individuals. Collaboration with DAAS will enable a streamlined intake process, where SNAP eligibility screenings will be integrated for older adults enrolling in their programs. This will ensure potential SNAP-eligible older adults are identified early and assisted with their applications.
3. Technological Solutions and Education: The grant will fund technological advancements to improve the enrollment and retention of SNAP benefits. The implementation plan includes acquiring an automated reminder system to alert older adults about SNAP renewal deadlines, minimizing lapsed benefits. Additionally, instructional videos and digital content will guide older adults through the SNAP application and renewal processes, which will be available online and during workshops. In-person workshops will also be conducted to help applicants with limited technology skills, ensuring they can navigate the online application independently.
4. Expansion of Staffing and Resources: Additional temporary staff will be hired to focus on outreach and enrollment of older adults. They will provide personalized support to address the unique needs of the older population, ensuring that applications are completed accurately and efficiently. Culturally appropriate materials will be created in multiple languages and formats to make outreach more inclusive and effective.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation: DCHS will monitor key performance metrics, including the number of SNAP screenings, number of SNAP applications submitted and approved, outreach effectiveness, and retention rates. Feedback from a client self-assessment survey, administered three months post-application, will also help refine strategies This data-driven approach will enable adjustments as needed, creating opportunities to maximize impact throughout the grant period.
By implementing this comprehensive plan, a significant improvement in access to SNAP benefits for older adults is anticipated in the community, ensuring critical nutritional support to those most in need.
This grant application is consistent with two out of the five City Council Priorities including Community Connection and Eliminating Community Disparities.
FISCAL IMPACT: The budget for this grant is $100,000 including funding temporary outreach staff, targeted communications, technological advancement, supplies/materials, and other indirect administrative cost. The grant period is November 1, 2024, to April 30, 2026, with no required matching funds. DCHS will be the administering agency, overseeing financial management and reporting. Existing operational and administrative staff will provide these functions.
ATTACHMENTS: None
STAFF:
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
Lesa Gilbert, Director, Center for Economic Support (CES), Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)
Raphael Obenwa, Director of Finance, Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)