City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE 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 the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Center for Economic Support (CES) Grant Application to the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, Mayors Action Fund.
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ISSUE: City Council to authorize the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) to retroactively approve the application and accept the grant, if awarded, from the Mayors Alliance Action Fund to End Child Hunger Mayors Action Fund to advance local initiatives addressing childhood hunger. The proposed grant activities will serve to expand and strengthen efforts to connect food and nutrition assistance programs for children and families by improving food access for residents experiencing food insecurity.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
1. Retroactively approve DCHS to apply for the Mayors Alliance Action Fund to End Child Hunger Mayors Action Fund grant.
2. Authorize the City Manager, if awarded, the acceptance of the grant award in the amount of up to $25,000 for the duration of 12 months with no match required, to design and launch the Care Connector initiative.
3. Retroactively approve the City Manager to accept an additional $10,000 grant on behalf of the City.
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: On June 9, 2025, the Mayor’s Alliance to End Childhood Hunger extended an invitation to submit a grant inquiry for the Mayor’s Action Fund. This fund supports mayors’ efforts to advance local initiatives that address child hunger in their communities. In addition to the $25,000 grant, technical assistance is provided to strengthen and amplify strategies aimed at expanding access to nutrition and economic resilience programs.
On July 11, 2025, in collaboration with DCHS Center for Economic Support, the Mayor’s Office submitted a grant inquiry expressing interest in this opportunity. On August 11, 2025, the Mayor was notified that the inquiry had advanced to the application stage. The grant application opened on September 2, 2025, with proposals due by October 24, 2025. The recent Food Security Landscape Study identified households with children as a priority population for the City’s upcoming Food Security Strategic Plan. Because of this, the Mayor’s Action Fund grant presents a timely and well-aligned opportunity to reduce childhood hunger and strengthen family well-being in our community.
DISCUSSION: The proposal will focus on the design and implementation of the Care Connector initiative, which will facilitate two-way communication, outreach, and application support for families who may be unaware of critical child nutrition and benefits programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The grant will also strengthen cross-agency collaboration by engaging DCHS CES and the Alexandria Health Department’s WIC and Population Health teams. Together, these partners will cross-promote programs and services, increase and sustain enrollment and participation, and identify barriers that may prevent families from accessing the benefits for which they are eligible.
Through the Care Connector, approximately 30 to 40 individuals and families will be supported each month. Services will be delivered through mobile pop-ups in neighborhoods located within U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development designated Qualified Census Tracts, as well as at nonprofit service providers, faith-based organizations, grocery stores, and apartment complexes. The initiative will leverage the Workforce Development Center’s Work-Based Learner program by employing a city resident who has strong connections within the community. This approach ensures authentic engagement while also providing the Work-Based Learner with valuable “earn-and-learn” opportunities to build skills and strengthen their career pathway.
This grant proposal directly advances two of the City Council’s five priorities, Eliminating Community Disparities and Building Economic Strength, while creating a practical, community-centered approach to reducing childhood hunger and promoting family well-being.
FISCAL IMPACT: The budget for this grant is $25,000 and will not require any additional FTEs. The grant requires no matching funds. The grant will support the Work-Based Learner position at 15-20 hours per week, with the role concluding upon the expiration of grant funding. The City is responsible for the normal administrative costs associated with this grant. These costs include financial and reporting oversight provided by DCHS, the administering agency. Existing administrative staff will provide these functions. The $10,000 will be used to support efforts focused on addressing childhood hunger.
Grant funding will be used for personnel, outreach services, and supplies/materials.
ATTACHMENTS: None
STAFF:
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
Federico Gutierrez, Assistant Director, Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)
Lesa Gilbert, Director, Center for Economic Support, DCHS
Dr. David Rose, Director of Alexandria Health Department (AHD)