REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
February 8, 2018
FROM: PARVIN J. NELOMS, Jr. PARCS Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: SHAUN SCHAEFER, PARCS Community Services Manager
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between Hands-On Central California Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the City of Fresno PARCS Department to provide volunteer staffing for the Senior Hot Meal Program at Neighborhood Parks and Recreation Centers.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
PARCS staff recommends the City Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hands-On Central California Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the City of Fresno PARCS Department and authorize the PARCS Department to execute the agreement on behalf of the city.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The MOU between Hands-On Central California RSVP and PARCS provides an opportunity for retired mature adults to volunteer for the Senior Hot Meals (SHM) Program at six neighborhood parks and recreation sites including: Lafayette Neighborhood Park, Mary Ella Brown Community Center, Mosqueda Community Center, Pinedale Community Center, Senior Citizens Village and the Ted C. Wills Community Center. SHM RSVP volunteers perform functions such as: recording and monitoring attendance, table setting and meal serving layout, serve the meal, collection and verification of meal donations, kitchen/dining room cleanup and completion of site based programmatic paperwork. SHM RSVP volunteers also assist with therapeutic activities at the program site designed to help mature adults prolong their independence and improve their quality of life. SHM RSVP volunteers are at their service site Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m.
BACKGROUND
SHM RSVP volunteers have contributed to the efficacy and excellence of the hot meals program for well over a decade at various PARCS locations. However, the congregate meal program owes its existence in Fresno County since 1974 to the legacy of Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. Congregate Nutrition Services provide meals in a group setting. Services also include nutrition and health promotion education, and opportunities for socialization.
People eligible for Title III C-1 nutrition services are 60 years of age or older, individuals with a handicap or disability who meet specific criteria, spouses of eligible participants regardless of age, and volunteers who provide needed services during meal hours. Project facilities and operations conform to health and safety standards and provide safe, wholesome and nutritious meal services to our older clients.
The Older Americans Act Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) operates through the local Area Agencies on Aging and their service providers. The ENP helps older adults remain independent and in their communities. Meals must meet nutritional standards by incorporating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and providing a minimum of one-third of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Meals must also meet the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) requirements. The Congregate Nutrition Program (Title IIIC-1) addresses dietary inadequacy and social isolation among individuals aged 60 and older. The Program provides nutrition education, nutrition risk screening and, in some service areas, nutrition counseling. The program targets older individuals with the greatest economic or social need, with particular attention given to low-income minority older individuals and older individuals living in rural areas. The program encourages the use of volunteers and gives meal attendees an option to contribute to the meal cost. Meal donations are encouraged but no mature adult over the age of 60 years is ever turned away for lack of payment.
A SHM RSVP volunteer is an individual who is over 55 years of age and who is willing to serve others by virtue of their employment experience, education, or a particular skill or training. It is usually a combination of all these factors that contribute to the participant’s altruism. The SHM RSVP volunteers work under the direction of the program coordinator, and because of their support, the site can accommodate a large number of attendees. In addition, because SHM RSVP volunteers supplement the work of the paid staff, PARCS staff is able to offer activities and services addressing the social/emotional needs of hot meals participants Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Site program coordinators offer socialization opportunities such as Prom Night (a dance for mature adults), bingo (good for eye/hand dexterity and mental recollection), story-telling (a means for passing on one’s traditions and history to the next generation) and family engagement. Families are encouraged to attend lunch at a minimal cost with their family members.
RSVP recruits, interviews, selects and refers RSVP volunteers to the PARCS Department who then make placement assignments. PARCS provides orientation and in-service instruction to SHM RSVP volunteers. At their orientation, all RSVP volunteers sign the Department Volunteer Release, Waiver and Indemnity agreement for service as a volunteer in a City of Fresno service program; it is standard practice for all volunteer programming. Additionally, Hands-On Central California RSVP provides secondary, supplemental personal accident, public liability and supplemental automobile insurance required by RSVP policy. This insurance coverage is provided at no cost to the volunteer or to the PARCS Department. RSVP volunteers are recognized annually at a community-wide event hosted by the Fresno Madera Agency on Aging (FMAAA) and Hands-On Central California.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEAQ) pursuant to Guideline Section 15378, the acceptance of funded senior work experience participants does not qualify as a project as defined by CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable to this item because this item does not include the award of a construction or consultant contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
Attachment:
Memorandum of Understanding between Hands-On Central California RSVP and the City of Fresno PARCS Department.