Grant Funding for WIC Program Improvement

General Infrastructure Training Presented by: Tabitha Johnson, Finance Manager Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity

Grant awarded by USDA to improve the WIC Program Two year grant For the purpose of WIC Projects that: Strength program integrity Improve facilities Improve WIC Services Child retention Breastfeeding rates Access to services or food

DISCLOSURE May not be used for maintenance of program services Very competitive Limited to three GI submissions per year Regional Office evaluate and rank against all submissions within the region Other funding is available If project was not selected, the State does have additional funding that may be used

PROCESS Local agency director submit Intent to Submit Proposal Template and Budget Worksheet is provided by the State No more than 5 pages total Due around February 15th each year Within 30 days, local agency selected will be notified by State WIC Director Additional guidance and forms to complete the application will be provided by the State Local agency director will complete application State WIC Director will consolidate all applications and submit

AWARDED Can only be used for period of performance Oct 1, 2017 through Sept 30, 2019 Cost Reimbursement Quarterly CERs Detailed quarterly progress and final reports Tasks completed and problems that incurred Detail must match expenditures and timeline

EXAMPLES OF PRIOR AWARDS Coconino County Established a separate nutrition education room Maricopa County Moved to a safer and better facility Pinal County Upgraded telephone system to meet volume needs and added voicemail access to clients seeking help

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Determine the Absence of Other Options Is it part of the rental/lease agreement that the Landlord will not renovate or repair the building ? Is there evidence that there is insufficient monies available to fund the cost of the project? Was at least three estimates obtained in the process of determining the projected cost of the proposed project? Was the availability and cost of alternative sites that do not require renovation in the preparation of its request to renovate or repair a site obtained? How does the projected cost of this project compare to the cost of alternative rental space in the proposed area?

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Determination of the Acceptability of a Site Is the site centrally located in the area that it is intended to serve? Is the site located in proximity to a hospital and/or local health agency? To public transportation? Is the site large enough to house adequate staff and equipment to accommodate the number of participants it anticipates to serve? Does the site provide easy access to pregnant women, children, and persons with disabilities? How have you assessed that the site can handle the program s automation needs? Are the costs of such upgrades included in the renovation costs?

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Determination of the Acceptability of a Site Has a recent Management Evaluation identified the inadequacy of the site being proposed for replacement, renovation, or repair? Is the proposed renovation or repair to address unsafe clinic conditions?

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Determination WIC s Share of Costs What programs or offices will be located in the area of the building to be renovated or repaired? How many staff? What methodology is being used to calculate each party s fair share of the projected costs? Does the methodology assign to WIC a portion of the cost reasonably commensurate with the benefit WIC receives from use of the space?

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Other Conditions What are the plans for on-going maintenance and repairs? How will they be funded? For publically owned property: In the event that WIC vacates the building, is there an agreement in place that the Federal Government will be reimbursed for the non- depreciated value of its investment in the property? For privately owned property: Has the landlord agreed to extend the lease until the WIC Program has received full benefit from the renovations OR a refund will be given for the dollar amount representing the portion of the renovation cost from which no benefit has been received?