title
Approve a contract with Innovative Health Solutions for $360,000 to provide nutrition education classes and events from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022; and Authorize the County Administrator to execute the contract
body
Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services recommends that the Board approve a contract with Innovative Health Solutions for $360,000 to provide nutrition education classes and events from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022; and authorize the County Administrator to execute the contract.
SUMMARY:
The California Department of Public Health’s Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention (NEOP) Program is part of the Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health Division, Nutrition Services Bureau. NEOP provides nutrition education and obesity prevention activities in the community. Through the recommended contract, Innovative Health Solutions will offer nutrition education classes and events for students and parents and will allow for enhanced, targeted and well-placed nutrition activities at several school sites within the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.
FINANCIal impact:
Funding for this contract is provided through a grant with the California Department of Public Health. The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Vallejo City Unified School District requested to end an existing contract with the Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) for nutrition education and obesity prevention activities. Nutrition Services Bureau requests the Board’s approval to engage Innovative Health Solutions (IHS) in a contract to provide nutrition education and obesity prevention services to the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD). The contract with IHS will provide needed nutrition education and complementary activities to schools with a majority of their students in households eligible for Free or Reduced Priced Meals.
FSUSD has a long-standing working relationship with H&SS to improve health outcomes for Solano County residents, including local students. The Division of Public Health has worked with FSUSD to perform nutrition promotion activities within their schools. Additionally, Public Health Division has a contract with IHS to provide nutrition interventions for low-income senior residents of Solano County. IHS currently contracts with FSUSD to provided nutrition classes. This additional funding will increase the effectiveness of the nutrition interventions. This contract, if approved, will provide health education focused on enhanced and enriched nutrition education, cooking demonstrations and gardening classes, specifically focusing on schools with a majority of students from low-income families.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to approve the contract with IHS. This is not recommended because it would prevent the FSUSD from providing evidence-based nutritional education to students and parents.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS worked with FSUSD to develop this contract with IHS.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION