City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: DR. DAVID C. ROSE, DIRECTOR, ALEXANDRIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Support a Grant Application to the United States Conference of Mayors Healthy and Sustainable Communities Grant
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the United States Conference of Mayors to support the scale-up of the Alexandria Health Department’s (AHD) program addressing health literacy.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Approve the attached Resolution directing the City Manager to authorize the application of a grant from the United States Conference of Mayors for $198,694.80, with a second option of $48,780.80; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The United States Conference of Mayors is awarding a total of $1,000,000 in funding to nine cities across three population categories. AHD will apply for the Medium City grant (for populations of 75,000-250,000). Each applying city must provide a budget narrative for both the 1st prize ($200,000) and 3rd prize ($50,000). All member cities of The United States Conference of Mayors are eligible to receive this award, which aims to support programs that engage community members and promote or stimulate behavior change around healthy and sustainable communities. This grant may support programming that increases access to healthy foods, improves skill building around nutrition and exercise, and empowers community members to take ownership over their health decision making. As part of this grant application, the Mayor must submit a letter of support and clarify her engagement in the work.
DISCUSSION: The 2025 Community Health Assessment highlighted ongoing health challenges in certain population groups and neighborhoods. Low health literacy plays a key role in these poorer outcomes by limiting residents’ ability to make informed health decisions. Research shows that health literacy programs help communities better understand health information, make healthier choices, and improve overall well-being.
AHD has successfully implemented an “off the shelf” health literacy program in the community, however, this program doesn’t meet the unique needs of different populations in Alexandria and only focuses on individuals.
If awarded this grant, AHD will develop an in-house health literacy initiative, Me and My Health, with two tailored tracks: one designed for culturally diverse residents with relevant health modules, and another for community organizations to support lasting systemic change. This approach empowers individuals and families to better manage their health while helping organizations create supportive environments and policies that help their clients. AHD would work collaboratively with residents and organizations to develop each track of the program. This co-design model has been used successfully by AHD to create the current ALX Breathes initiative and ensures that the new program will appropriately serve its intended audience. Funding would extend existing contract staff, cover meeting costs, printing and graphic design needs, and support interpretation and translation as appropriate.
FISCAL IMPACT: This grant, if awarded, will provide up to $200,000 to support improvement of health outcomes through tailored health literacy programming. There is no required match from the City.
ATTACHMENT: 1. Resolution
STAFF:
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
Natalie Talis, Population Health Manager
Andrea DeSantis, Community Engagement Manager
Kieu Ngyuen, Business Manager