REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 16, 2020
FROM: MIGUEL ARIAS, Council President
Council District 3
SUBJECT
Title
Approve agreement with Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC) for the implementation of the DAWN Initiative (Development Across West Fresno Neighborhoods)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended the Council approve the agreement with the Fresno EOC for implementation of the DAWN Initiative (Development Across West Fresno Neighborhoods).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On April 28, 2020, Council approved Resolution 2020-089, to reallocate the funding previously allocated to the Darling relocation to efforts to combat COVID-19 and underlying health conditions in West Fresno through the Development Across West Fresno Neighborhoods Initiative (DAWN). The Fiscal Year 2021 Budget appropriates the Darling funding to the initiative. To implement the initiative, Council is now asked to enter into an agreement with Fresno EOC to serve as program administrator. Fresno EOC will work with community organizations to implement the goals of the DAWN Initiative.
BACKGROUND
Historic environmental conditions have disproportionately affected the West Fresno community, and specifically the African American community. This disparity continues to reveal itself, most recently with COVID-19, with the prevalence of high rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. As of April 2020, despite representing just 5.8% of the Fresno County population, African Americans account for 23.9% of COVID-19 Positive cases.
In the 93706 zip code, infant mortality rates and preterm birth rates are 11.4% and 13.3% respectively, compared to rates of 7.1% and 9.6% for Fresno County. Further, infant mortality rates have increased 87% among African American residents, where despite representing just 4.7% of the Fresno County population, they account for 8.3% of preterm births, and 14.3% of infant deaths.
The proposed goals of the DAWN Initiative are:
• Reduce African American health disparities in West Fresno over the life course, by creating a maternal child health workforce to provide culturally competent, respectful, quality care.
• Decrease infant mortality and preterm birth rates by 25-30%, by training professionals as doulas, community health workers and medical technicians, and recruiting and mentoring a cohort of prospective medical students.
• Reduce environmental risk factors in West Fresno by investing in neighborhood infrastructure to improve air quality, water quality, green space and tree canopy, and rerouting truck traffic.
These goals will be accomplished through job creation and workforce development, infrastructure improvements, urban planning and greening, and building acquisition and improvements for a women’s wellness clinic.
Prospective community partners include Fresno City College, UCSF-PTBI CA, Central California Asthma Collaborative, Inspiration Transportation, Fresno GROWS (Best Babies Zone initiative), and Healthy Air Fresno. Fresno EOC will be empowered to subcontract with these and potentially other community partners to advance the goals of the initiative.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
$1 million for the DAWN Initiative were appropriated in the FY 2021 budget from the General Fund Darling relocation and CARES Act funding where eligible.
Attachment: Agreement