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Memorandum of Agreement between The Public Health Authority of Cabarrus County d.b.a. Cabarrus Health Alliance and Union County Health Department
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephanie Starr, Human Services Agency - Community Support and Outreach, Director, 704-296-4302; Dennis Joyner, Human Services Agency - Public Health, Director, 704-296-4801
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Authorize the County Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item, 2) recognize, receive, and appropriate $126,618 in funding from the Cabarrus Health Alliance to the Community Support and Outreach Division’s FY2024 Budget, and 3) approve Budget Amendment #15.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Union County Human Services Agency, along with Catawba County, Gaston County, Mecklenburg County, and Rowan County, were approached in January 2023 by Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA) regarding our interest in participating in a regional grant initiative in which they were applying. CHA will provide leadership and maintain fiduciary responsibilities associated with the Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program’s grant funding, which has been in place since 1999 through the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The purpose of the 5-year REACH program is to improve health, prevent chronic disease (i.e., hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity), and reduce health disparities in local communities. The grant strategies include:
• Food and nutrition security through the promotion of food service and nutrition guidelines and the expansion of existing fruit and vegetable vouchers incentive.
• Safe and accessible physical activity.
• Tobacco prevention and control policies.
• Increase access to Adult Immunizations to support the prevention of infectious diseases such as flu and pneumonia.
Since these are shared goals of our Human Services Agency and consistent with our current work efforts in Union County, it is advantageous for us to be a partner county in the regional initiative and gain the benefit of the available funding. Year one funding, which is eligible for expenses from 10/1/23- 9/30/24, will go towards funding current staff time conducting activities, training and education efforts, marketing and communication, and operational expenses such as meetings and outreach events.
Following are a few examples of how we will use these funds:
• Nutrition: Enhance accessibility to the Farmer's Market for WIC and Senior Nutrition program participants w/ coupons for fresh, locally grown fruits & vegetables and create a communication campaign to promote this. In addition, assist our community partners with creating on-site food pantries and emergency management plans.
• Tobacco Prevention: Enhance Tobacco Prevention and Intervention via media campaigns, policy implementation around point of sales (geared toward youth), and workplace cessation. Continue education & work in local schools to prevent vaping and e-cigarette consumption.
• Physical Activity: Conduct data collection through focus groups & walkability assessments; replace signs where needed (with NCDOT) that highlight trails, parks, greenways, bicycle paths, sidewalks, etc. Work with local Parks and Recreation & Planning departments to promote & increase outside physical activity & activity-friendly routes in priority communities.
• Adult Immunizations: Increase awareness and access for flu, pneumonia, and other routinely recommended adult vaccines. Cannot use funding to purchase vaccines.
The CHA submitted the grant application in early April 2023 and the grant was awarded in September 2023. The CHA will receive $1,021,899 annually for five years.
As a partner County in this regional effort, Union County will receive a subaward totaling $633,090, which equates to $126,618 annually for each of the 5 years of the grant period.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Union County will receive $126,618 per year for 5 years from the Cabarrus Health Alliance. No County funding is required or requested.