Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 03292011 - FHS Cte Agenda Pkt Agen 1. Int 2. Pu (sp DISC 3. Re ☺ The Com  Any of m 651  Pub For Ad da Items: troductions ublic comme peakers ma CUSSION eferral #10 Presente e Family and mmittee meetin y disclosable p members of the 1 Pine Street, 1 blic comment m dditional In S Items ent on any ay be limite 03 – SNAP r: John C Human Service ngs. Contact the public records r e Family and H 10th floor, durin may be submitte formation C Supervis Supervisor may be taken item under d to three m P (Supplem ottrell es Committee e staff person lis related to an op Human Service ng normal busin d via electronic Contact: sor Gayle B Federal D. n out of order r the jurisdic minutes). mental Foo will provide re sted below at lea pen session ite s Committee le ness hours. mail on agenda B. Uilkema, Glover, Di based on the ction of the od Assistan easonable acco ast 72 hours be em on a regular ess than 96 ho a items at least FA SERV 651 District II, C strict V, Vic e business of Committee nce Progra ommodations f efore the meetin r meeting agen ours prior to tha one full work da Phone AMILY VICES Pine Stree Chair ce Chair f the day and e and not o am) for persons wit ng. nda and distrib at meeting are ay prior to the p Dorothy e (925) 335- AND H S COMM Ma et, Room 1 preference of on this agen th disabilities p buted by the Co available for pu published meetin y Sansoe, Co -1009, Fax (9 dsans@ca HUMA MITTE arch 29, 20 10:30 P. 101, Martin f the Committ nda planning to atte ounty to a majo ublic inspection ing time. ommittee St 925) 646-13 ao.cccounty N E 11 M. ez tee end ority n at taff 353 .us 2 Glossary of Acronyms, Abbreviations, and other Terms (in alphabetical order): Contra Costa County has a policy of making limited use of acronyms, abbreviations, and industry-specific language in its Board of Supervisors meetings and written materials. Following is a list of commonly used language that may appear in oral presentations and written materials associated with Board meetings: AB Assembly Bill ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments ACA Assembly Constitutional Amendment ADA Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 AFSCME American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees AICP American Institute of Certified Planners AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ALUC Airport Land Use Commission AOD Alcohol and Other Drugs BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District BART Bay Area Rapid Transit District BCDC Bay Conservation & Development Commission BGO Better Government Ordinance BOS Board of Supervisors CALTRANS California Department of Transportation CalWIN California Works Information Network CalWORKS California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids CAER Community Awareness Emergency Response CAO County Administrative Officer or Office CCHP Contra Costa Health Plan CCTA Contra Costa Transportation Authority CDBG Community Development Block Grant CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CIO Chief Information Officer COLA Cost of living adjustment ConFire Contra Costa Consolidated Fire District CPA Certified Public Accountant CPI Consumer Price Index CSA County Service Area CSAC California State Association of Counties CTC California Transportation Commission dba doing business as EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utility District EIR Environmental Impact Report EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMCC Emergency Medical Care Committee EMS Emergency Medical Services EPSDT State Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and treatment Program (Mental Health) et al. et ali (and others) FAA Federal Aviation Administration FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency F&HS Family and Human Services Committee First 5 First Five Children and Families Commission (Proposition 10) FTE Full Time Equivalent FY Fiscal Year GHAD Geologic Hazard Abatement District GIS Geographic Information System HCD (State Dept of) Housing & Community Development HHS Department of Health and Human Services HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIV Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome HOV High Occupancy Vehicle HR Human Resources HUD United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Inc. Incorporated IOC Internal Operations Committee ISO Industrial Safety Ordinance JPA Joint (exercise of) Powers Authority or Agreement Lamorinda Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda Area LAFCo Local Agency Formation Commission LLC Limited Liability Company LLP Limited Liability Partnership Local 1 Public Employees Union Local 1 LVN Licensed Vocational Nurse MAC Municipal Advisory Council MBE Minority Business Enterprise M.D. Medical Doctor M.F.T. Marriage and Family Therapist MIS Management Information System MOE Maintenance of Effort MOU Memorandum of Understanding MTC Metropolitan Transportation Commission NACo National Association of Counties OB-GYN Obstetrics and Gynecology O.D. Doctor of Optometry OES-EOC Office of Emergency Services-Emergency Operations Center OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration Psy.D. Doctor of Psychology RDA Redevelopment Agency RFI Request For Information RFP Request For Proposal RFQ Request For Qualifications RN Registered Nurse SB Senate Bill SBE Small Business Enterprise SWAT Southwest Area Transportation Committee TRANSPAC Transportation Partnership & Cooperation (Central) TRANSPLAN Transportation Planning Committee (East County) TRE or TTE Trustee TWIC Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee VA Department of Veterans Affairs vs. versus (against) WAN Wide Area Network WBE Women Business Enterprise WCCTAC West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Schedule of Upcoming BOS Meetings To be determined FHS Packet 3/29/2011 2011 FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT FROM THE EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE CALFRESH RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAMS (Also known as SNAP - Formerly known as Food Stamps) Recommendation ACCEPT the report from the Department of Employment and Human Services and request the Department to return to the Committee with an update later in the calendar year after 1) the impacts of the State and Federal budgets on the Department have been determined, and 2) the outcome of Senate Bill 471 has been determined by the State Legislature. Background The Family and Human Services Committee was asked by the Board of Supervisors to review the possibility of including new elements within the services currently provided under the CalFresh Program formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. This program is also referred to as the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The CalFresh program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs. CalFresh is the new name for the Food Stamp Program in California. CalFresh and SNAP are not new programs. The name change had no effect on benefits provided. CalFresh benefits can be used to buy any food or food product that is produced for human consumption. The exception to this is hot foods or lunch courter items prepared or heated in the store. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, vitamins or medicines, and pet food are also excluded. Seeds and plants for use in home gardens to produce food can also be purchased with CalFresh benefits. The CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program is a federally funded program within the broader SNAP program which has been available at the discretion of each county since 2004. This program allows participants to use CalFresh benefits at specified restuarants. Very few counties are currently participating in this portion of the program. Contra Costa County is not currently participating. Senate Bill 471 is currently pending in the Senate Human Services Committee. It will be heard by the Committee on April 12, 2001. This bill would expand the list of items that are NOT allowed to be purchased with CalFresh benefits. In addition, the bill would require the State Department of Social Services to prohibit the use of CalFresh benefits at restaurants, including fast-food restaurants. 1 EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONTRA COSTA COUNTY _________________________________________________________________ DATE: March 14, 2011 TO: Family and Human Services Committee FROM: John Cottrell, Aging and Adult Services Director SUBJECT: CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program ______________________________________________________________________________ The CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program is a federally funded program that allows CalFresh recipients who are elderly (60 and over), disabled, or homeless to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase restaurant prepared meals. There are currently 4,850 households in Contra Costa County who are potentially eligible for this program at this time. The restaurant meals program has been available since 2004. However, very few counties are participating. Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) staff have contacted these counties in an effort to learn more about the details of administering a restaurant meals program. The costs associated with implementing this program are primarily staffing and administrative. There are several components involved in this process which include: (1) Certifying homeless, elderly and disabled recipients of CalFresh as eligible to purchase low cost healthy meals with CalFresh benefits in restaurant which have entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the county for this purpose, (2) Identifying households entitled to participate in the program for the use of CalFresh benefits at authorized restaurants and (3) Informing those recipients of the names and addresses of participating restaurants. The MOU must contain a requirement that the restaurant provide low cost or discount meals during regular hours to eligible homeless, elderly or disabled persons. Low cost meals are defined as meals that cost less than what would be charged to customers not using CalFresh benefits. Discounted meals are defined as meals already offered to certain consumers or advertised special or sale priced meals offered to all consumers. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) must approve the EHSD draft MOU, and EHSD must execute an MOU with each restaurant. In addition, each restaurant must agree to abide by all the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for CalFresh acceptance and redemption. Any restaurant that wishes to enter into a contract with EHSD must submit to USDA a “Meal Service Application” FORM FNS-252-2, with the accompanying verifications. The restaurant must also notify EHSD when it receives authorization of its application. EHSD must also submit to CDSS all draft outreach information that will advertise the restaurant meals program to the restaurant community and to the eligible recipient community including information on standards and availability. 2 Restaurant Participation Participation in the restaurant meals program is open to businesses that offer “hot” prepared meals for purchase. Interested restaurants who want to participate in this program must: ƒ Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Contra Costa County EHSD. ƒ Apply for certification as a Communal Dining Facility with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Completion of FORM FNS-252-2 with required attachments. ƒ Provide an option of low cost meals to CalFresh households. ƒ Not charge service gratuity, sales tax or allow CalFresh benefits to purchase alcohol. EHSD Responsibilities ƒ Identify households entitled to participate in the program for the use of CalFresh benefits at authorized restaurants. ƒ Inform recipients of the names and addresses of participating restaurants. ƒ Develop MOU and publicity sheets for eligible participants and restaurants to submit to CDSS for approval. Publicity sheets are needed to notify restaurants about the requirements of a restaurant meals program and to inform current homeless, elderly and disabled recipients about the requirements and availability of restaurant meals. ƒ Meet with interested parties to discuss MOU, program and USDA requirements and obtain signatures from approved restaurants. ƒ Maintain listing of all active restaurants participating and post in local offices and or county website. Staff will update as needed. ƒ Require participating restaurants to post signage informing patrons of the ability to utilize CalFresh benefits at their location. ƒ Require that participating restaurants submit a menu that is in compliance with federal regualtions which requires low costs meals to be provided to eligible participants. ƒ Contact USDA/ FNS on routine basis to review listing of certified restaurants to ensure compliance. ƒ Develop marketing material for restaurants to participate. This will include a program placard or sign for participating restaurants to inform the public. In addition, outreach information that advertises the restaurant meals program to the restaurant community and to eligible participants. ƒ Enroll and monitor restaurants. ƒ Address any questions or issues from participating restaurants. ƒ Visit restaurants for compliance with low cost menus items as needed. ƒ Identity program outcomes and EBT usage report. ƒ Work with Computer Information Systems and CalWIN units to develop reports that identify all individuals that qualify under the Restaurant meals program. ƒ Develop and maintain program FAQs and list of participating restaurants for Eligibility staff. ƒ Develop and maintain program information on CalFresh web pages on County Website. ƒ Communicate with program staff the eligibility and system requirements. ƒ Identify and incorporate training for eligibility staff on how to update CalWIN’s “Maintain Card Request Window” to allow client to use the EBT card at restaurants. 3 ƒ Identify the ability to update CalWINs “Maintain Card Request Window” to change EBT Restaurant Meals indicator to “yes” which will switch targeted population at one time. This will avoid the need to identify each individual case. Contra Costa County currently has over 62,000 persons receiving CalFresh who access these benefits at local area approved stores and farmers markets. Approximately 9% of these individuals are homeless, elderly or disabled. While CalFresh participation has increased there remains a segment of the population that struggle to acquire “hot” or prepared meals due to lack of residence, proper cooking facilities, and disabilities that limit their ability to prepare food. Other California counties that operate a restaurant meals program have indicated that while it is labor intensive to implement, it has been successful for both recipients and the local economy. Memorandum of Understanding Between Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department And Summary of Services: The Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) has developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with eligible Restaurants for participation in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals program. I. THE RESTAURANT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING: A. Provide a low cost meal for breakfast, lunch and / or dinner during regular business hours to eligible homeless, elderly and/or disabled persons. Low cost meals should meet a minimum of one of the following criteria: ƒ Meals that cost less than what would be charged to customers not using CalFresh benefits. ƒ Discounted meals already offered to certain consumers, advertised special or sale priced meals offered to consumers. B. Shall verify patrons’ participation wishing to purchases meals with CalFresh benefits. Participation in the restaurant meals program will be limited to those with valid Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Establishment shall swipe the EBT card to verify patron is valid participant prior to processing transaction. C. Provide some indoor seating for patrons. D. Post a sign, in a manner and place prescribed by the COUNTY informing the general public of the RESTAURANT’s participation in this program. E. Ensure that participants are not charged the following: ƒ Gratuities ƒ Sales tax F. Ensure that CalFresh benefits are not used to purchase of alcoholic beverages. G. Install EBT equipment, and / or software from an EBT certified presser, if not already installed and be available to service restaurant meal program participants within 60 calendar days of notification from the COUNTY acknowledging United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) certification. H. Must abide by all rules and regulations of the USDA regarding CalFresh acceptance and redemption. I. Be certified by the USDA / FNS prior to participation in the restaurant meals program and shall notify the COUNTY when authorization is received. If restaurant meals program certification expires or is suspended or revoked for any reason, RESTAURANT must notify the COUNTY immediately. J. Provide the COUNTY with a copy of the authorization document upon receipt of same. K. Allow COUNTY staff to conduct onsite visit as needed to review signage and observe client participation. L. Agree to maintain a current public health operating permit issued either by Contra Costa County Health Services Department or by a municipal health department. M. Meet with COUNTY staff as needed to monitor services, exchange pertinent information, resolve problems and work together to coordinate services. II. COUNTY SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING: A. Verify that the RESTAURANT is interested for certification by USDA / FNS in order to enter into agreement with COUNTY. B. Certify homeless, disabled and elderly CalFresh households to use CalFresh benefits to purchase meals at participating establishments. C. Issue each restaurant meal program eligible household an EBT card, if needed. D. Inform eligible recipients of the name and address of participating restaurants and of the ability of the recipient to purchase low cost meals with CalFresh benefits from these RESTAURANTs. E. Create and distribute publicity sheets (i.e. posters, flyers) to provide restaurants and participants information pertaining the Restaurant Meals program. F. Meet with RESTAURANT staff as needed to monitor services, exchange pertinent information, resolve problems and work together to coordinate services. G. Conduct on site visit as needed to review signage and observe client participation.