City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: JAMES SPENGLER, DIRECTOR, RPCA
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Grant Renewal to the United States Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Food Program for At-Risk After School Snack Program for the FY 2024 School Year Snack Program Sponsored by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
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ISSUE: Consideration of grant renewal to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Food Program for At-Risk After School Snack Program for the FY 2024 (2023 to 2024) school year snack program sponsored by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to submit an At-Risk After School grant renewal application to the United States Department of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2024; and
2. Execute all documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities has administered the At-Risk After School Snack Program since FY 2004. The City receives funding from the USDA to provide after school snacks to the City’s after school recreation programs. The Department contracts with the Alexandria City Public Schools Nutrition Service to provide the snacks for the program locations.
DISCUSSION: Alexandria will receive FY 2024 renewal funding for its At-Risk After School Snack Program. The level of funding for FY 2024 is $300,000 in ORG titled USDA After School Snack 2024 Program, which is reimbursed to the City by the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). A renewal application is required and submitted to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) which is the administering agency. These funds will continue to provide nutritious after school snacks and suppers to participants in the RPCA Power-On Program at Charles Barrett, Charles Houston, Leonard Armstrong, Mt. Vernon, Patrick Henry, and William Ramsay Recreation Centers; LINK Club programs at Ferdinand T. Day, Hammond and George Washington Middle Schools; the school-based Power-On Programs at Douglas MacArthur and John Adams; and, the Youth Achieving Greatness and Therapeutic Recreation Programs at Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center during the 2023 to 2024 school year.
The renewal grant period covers October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. The previous grant cycle (for the 2022 to 2023) school year covered from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT: The meals must be served free of charge in order to receive reimbursement from USDA. There is no requirement for the City to provide either cash or an in-kind match for this program. However, the City is responsible for the normal administrative costs associated with this grant. These costs include financial and reporting oversight provided by the administering agency (Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities), as well as by the Office of Management and Budget and by the Finance Department.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager
Laura Durham, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Randy Little, Division Chief/Recreation Services
Faye Maslaki-Morgan, Division Chief/Finance