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Contract Amendment - WIC Program Nutritionist
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephanie Starr, Human Services Agency - Community Support and Outreach, Division Director, 704-296-4302
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorize the County Manager to 1) negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item, 2) exercise any renewal or extension term options set forth in the Agreement, and 3) terminate the Agreement if deemed in the best interest of the County, each in the County Manager's discretion.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
1) July 17, 2023, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item # 23-444 - Contract Amendment - WIC Program Nutritionist Services.
2) June 17, 2024, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item # 24-400 - Contract Amendment - WIC Program Nutritionist Services.
3) July 15, 2024, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item # 24-484 - Budget Amendment - WIC Program Nutritionist Services.
BACKGROUND:
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is part of the Union County Human Services Agency’s Community Support and Outreach Division. WIC serves to safeguard the health of low-to-moderate income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age five (5) who are at nutritional risk. The WIC program provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, referrals to health care and education on healthy eating from specially trained WIC nutritionists. As a result of COVID-19 and other current events, many families have been faced with economic hardships, leading to a significant sustained increase in the need for WIC services. In FY2020, our clinic served an average caseload of 2,909 clients per month. Year-to-date in FY2025, our monthly average increased to 4,260 clients, representing a growth of over 46%. To ensure that clients and new applicants are served in accordance with Federal regulations, we have contracted with Nutrition Plus, who provides us with one FTE of a WIC Nutritionist. Our original contract with Nutrition Plus, Contract #7982, was executed on December 1, 2022 with a not to exceed amount of $25,000; an amendment was approved on April 13, 2023 adding $24,500 to the not to exceed amount of $25,000, for a total of $49,500. Neither of these required board action. On July 17, 2023, the BOCC approved a contract amendment, which increased the not to exceed amount on the contract from $49,500 to $107,500 and extended the contract end date to June 30, 2024. An amendment was approved on January 25, 2024 adding $31,040, which did not require board action and increased the not to exceed amount to $138,540. On June 17, 2024, the BOCC approved a contract amendment, which increased the not to exceed amount on the contract from $138,540 to $163,540 and extended the term through September 30, 2024. To address the sustained high need, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) has continually adjusted the allocation of funds to WIC clinics that serve more than 100% of the caseload assigned by the state. Consequently, Union County WIC received an overall funding boost for FY2025. As a result, we utilized $17,349 from the initial AA increase to increase the not to exceed on the Nutrition Plus of Greenville, Inc. contract from $163,540 to $180,889 and extended the contract expiration date with Nutrition Plus from September 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025. This did not require board action. An additional WIC AA increase of $47,250 was announced on September 30, 2024 and we are requesting to increase the not to exceed amount from $180,889 to $228,139.
The Human Services Agency Community Support and Outreach Division has utilized the contractual services of Nutrition Plus for WIC Program Nutritionist since December 2022. Nutrition Plus of Greenville, Inc has been effective and efficient in meeting our service needs.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The anticipated annual cost for this service is $47,250 and is budgeted accordingly for FY2025.