Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or his designee to sign Agreement #13-20348 with the California Department of Public Health in the amount of $321,208, for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015, to develop, implement and evaluate small-scale, low-cost educational interventions to promote safety with underserved schools in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District ; and
b. Authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer to approve three future amendments up to ten percent (10%) of the annual amount, which does not significantly alter the scope of services or result in an increase to general fund contribution.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or his designee to sign Agreement #13-20348 with the California Department of Public Health in the amount of $321,208, for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015, to develop, implement and evaluate small-scale, low-cost educational interventions to promote safety with underserved schools in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District ; and
b. Authorize the Contracts/Purchasing Officer to approve three future amendments up to ten percent (10%) of the annual amount, which does not significantly alter the scope of services or result in an increase to general fund contribution.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
This is a subvention contract pursuant to Welfare and Institution Code Section 18285 to address child health and safety concerns via local assistance funds. The Monterey County Health Department's Injury Prevention Program (MCHD) will develop, implement, and evaluate small-scale, low-cost educational interventions with underserved schools in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. These interventions will build community and local agency support for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. With recent cuts to federal SRTS funding, implementation of low-cost and effective educational programs is critical to engaging more communities in SRTS to improve the safety of California's children. The goal of the project is to build school interest and capacity to conduct year-round interventions to improve safety for walking and bicycling surrounding school campuses. Interventions will focus on improving safety rather than simply encouraging walking and bicycling.
The SRTS program is not new to the County of Monterey. MCHD performed similar services for local schools in past years, with funding streamed from the California Department of Transportation through the County's Public Works Department. MCHD applied for and received this award from the CDPH through its Chronic Disease and Injury Control Section, whose funding for SRTS is generated from the sale of California specialty vehicle license plates that contain a choice of an embossed heart, hand, star, or plus sign. Revenue from the sale of "Kids' Plate" is deposited into the Child Health and Safety Fund and is appropriated to support significant child safety issues in California, including unintentional childhood injury prevention by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
MCHD will specifically work in the Seaside and Marina elementary schools (Martin Luther King Jr., Ord Terrace, Del Rey Woods, Highland, and Marina Vista) with principals and key staff to implement the curriculum materials and strategize for best outcomes. Each school will conduct a "Safe Routes to School" event to publicize the start of this educational program; the teaching of safety in walking and bicycling and to increase these activities within the community. MCHD will partner with Safe Moves, a subcontractor that uses a mock town for hands on practice on school property and can loan bicycles to students who need them, will conduct interactive pedestrian and bicycle safety assemblies and/or age-appropriate classroom presentation and hand-on pedestrian/bike rodeos at each of the intervention schools for grades K-5.
In addition to working with the schools and Safe Moves, MCHD will contract with the Seaside and Marina Police Departments to conduct intensive traffic safety and neighborhood safety patrols during school hours and scheduled school days in order to insure the safety of the students and to educate drivers about traffic safety. Other community partners will include the Boys and Girls Club to train peer educators who will be capable of giving presentations to elementary students in after school programs to reinforce traffic safety knowledge of students. Utilizing a strong component to the success of this program, MCHD will engage the Parents and Teachers Association of the schools to conduct Parent Patrols and /or Neighborhood Watch activities.
There will be many events/activities conducted in the Seaside and Marina communities to ensure the success of this grant's intent, only some of which are mentioned above. MCHD is committed to the safety and welfare of Monterey County's children.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Risk Management and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form, liability and fiscal provisions respectively. A copy of Agreement is on file with the Clerk to the Board.
FINANCING:
This award is fully funded by California Department of Public Health. There are sufficient appropriations included in the Health Department's (HEA003-8124) Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14.
Prepared by: Kathy Robinson, Management Analyst II, 1286
Approved by: Ray Bullick, Director of Health, 4526
Attachments:
This Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board