[33 Pa.B. 4791]
[Continued from previous Web Page] Assurance 676(b)(6)
The State will ensure coordination between anti-poverty programs in each community in the State, and ensure, where appropriate, that emergency energy crisis intervention programs under title XXVI (relating to low-income home energy assistance) are conducted in such communities.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(6)
Some CAAs receive LIHEAP funds directly from the DPW to provide energy crisis intervention services. In addition, the OCS receives 15% of non-emergency LIHEAP funds that are coordinated with Weatherization funds to provide Weatherization services. Any emergency funding received by the Department is allocated to CAAs that are weatherization providers to address either heating or cooling emergencies. Twenty-three (23) of the 42 weatherization providers are CAAs.
(7) Assurance 676(b)(9)
The State and eligible entities in the State will, to the maximum extent possible, coordinate programs with and form partnerships with other organizations serving low-income residents of the communities and members of the groups served by the State, including religious organizations, charitable groups, and community organizations.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(9)
In the year-end CSBG Report, eligible entities are required to report the number of partnerships their agency has established with other organizations serving low-income residents in their service area. All of the State's eligible entities have established these partnerships within their service areas. Currently, over 3,200 partnerships have been documented with various social service organizations, other state, federal and local government agencies, and faith-based organizations.
(H) Fiscal Controls and Monitoring
(1) State Program Monitoring
(a) During FY 2004-2005, at least fifteen (15) of the State's eligible entities will receive a full on-site review. The entities projected to be monitored are:
1. Allegheny County Department of Human Services
2. Berks Community Action Program, Inc.
3. Bucks County Opportunity Council
4. Carbon County Action Committee for Human Services
5. Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County
6. Community Action, Inc.
7. Community Action Program of Lancaster County
8. Community Progress Council, Inc.
9. Community Services Program of Beaver County
10. Greater Erie Community Action Committee
11. Keystone Community Action Program
12. Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission (CADCOM)
13. Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center
14. Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc.
15. Tableland Services
A minimum of an additional fifteen (15) agencies will receive an on-site review during FY 2005-2006 and the planned entities to be monitored are:
1. Butler County Community Action and Development
2. Cambria County Community Action Council, Inc.
3. Community Action Association of Pennsylvania
4. Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley
5. County of Chester Department of Community Development
6. Fayette County Community Action Agency
7. Indiana County Community Action Agency
8. Lebanon County Human Services
9. Mayor's Office of Community Services
10. Northern Tier Community Action Corporation
11. Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency
12. South Central Community Action Programs, Inc.
13. Union Snyder Office of Community Services
14. Venango/Crawford Counties Office of Economic Opportunity
15. Westmoreland Human Opportunities
Monitoring procedures shall include an on-site monitoring visit conducted for the following purposes:
--to ensure programmatic and contractual compliance through the review of agency records and interviews with agency personnel, board members and clients;
--to clarify discrepancies that cannot be resolved from the program report review;
--to follow-up on program and personnel complaints, made directly or indirectly; and
--to comply with an agency's request for an on-site visit.
Following the on-site visit, a report of the monitoring review may be given to the agency during the exit interview and will be mailed to the grantee. It shall identify strengths and weaknesses of the program and any required remedial actions.
The agency may request a conference with DCED's Office of Community Services to discuss the report and/or the Office may request a conference with the agency to discuss the report and provide technical assistance.
(b) The Department has no newly designated agencies. However, we do anticipate designating a new CAA in Northumberland, Columbia and Montour counties, which will replace the public CAA presently serving the tri-county area. We are currently working through the CAA designation process, and will, in accordance with the Act, conduct a full review of the newly designated CAA after completion of its first year in operation.
(c) If, after receiving technical assistance and implementing corrective action procedures, any agency that continues to fail to meet the standards and requirements as determined during an on-site monitoring visit will receive an on-site follow-up review.
(d) The Department will review any entities that have other federal, state or local grants (other than CSBG) terminated for cause.
(e) The following are the dates of the last audit conducted and the period covered by the audit for each eligible entity.
Time Period Date Completed
Agency Covered (Received)
ALLEGHENY COUNTY 1/1/2000 12/31/2000 6/3/2002 ARMSTRONG COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 9/24/2002 BEAVER COUNTY 1/1/2001 12/31/2001 12/31/2003 BERKS COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM 1/1/2001 12/31/2001 10/28/2002 BLAIR CO COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 3/21/2003 BUCKS CO OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 8/27/2002 BUTLER COUNTY 1/1/2001 12/31/2001 4/23/2003 CAMBRIA CO COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 7/16/2002 CARBON CO ACTION COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN SVS 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 4/11/2002 CENTRAL PA COMMUNITY ACTION 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/12/2003 CHESTER COUNTY 1/1/2001 12/31/2001 3/12/2003 COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OF LUZERNE 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/5/2003 COMMUNITY ACTION 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/12/2003 COMMUNITY ACTION ASSOCIATION 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/27/2003 COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 1/23/2003 COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE OF LEHIGH VALLEY 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 3/3/2003 COMMUNITY ACTION SOUTHWEST 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/16/2003 COMMUNITY PROGRESS COUNCIL 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 1/31/2003 DELAWARE CO COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/5/2003 ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CABINET OF SCHUYLKILL CO 7/1/1999 6/30/2000 4/17/2001 FAYETTE CO COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/12/2003 GREATER ERIE COMMUNITY ACTION COMMITTEE 10/1/2000 9/30/2001 9/24/2002 HUNTINGDON COUNTY 1/1/2001 12/31/2001 1/29/2003 INDIANA CO COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 4/23/2003 LANCASTER CO COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 7/30/2002 LAWRENCE CO SOCIAL SERVICES 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 5/29/2002 LEBANON COUNTY 1/1/2001 12/31/2001 4/10/2003 LYCOMING CLINTON COMMISSION FOR COMMUNITY ACTION 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 8/16/2002 MERCER CO COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/12/2003 MONROE COUNTY 1/1/2000 12/31/2000 9/11/2002 MONTGOMERY CO COMMUNITY ACTION DEVT COMMISSION 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 5/7/2002 NORTHERN TIER COMMUNITY ACTION CORP 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 8/15/2002 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY 1/1/2000 12/31/2000 9/18/2002 PHILADELPHIA CITY 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 2/25/2003 PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY SERVICES 1/1/2002 12/31/2002 5/23/2003 RURAL OPPORTUNITIES 10/1/2000 9/30/2001 5/29/2003 SCRANTON LACKAWANNA HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 6/2/2003 SOUTH CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 2/27/2002 TABLELAND SERVICES 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 5/1/2003 TREHAB CENTER 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 10/1/2002 UNION SNYDER OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES 7/1/2000 6/30/2001 5/20/2002 VENANGO COUNTY 1/1/2001 12/31/2001 5/7/2003 WARREN FOREST CO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 2/10/2003 WESTMORELAND HUMAN OPPORTUNITIES 7/1/2001 6/30/2002 2/10/2003
(2) Corrective Action, Termination and Reduction of Funding
In the case of violations or discrepancies of Federal and State laws governing CSBG programs discovered through the Department's monitoring and auditing activities, the agency shall be notified of the violation or discrepancy immediately. The agency shall respond in writing to the notice of violation or discrepancy, usually within two weeks of receipt of such notice. If necessary, a follow-up monitoring visit will be conducted to ensure that corrective action has been taken.
Agency Noncompliance--Noncompliance may result in probation until compliance is attained. Probationary status may include intensified monitoring, increased reporting requirements, provision of technical assistance by the Department or its designee and/or temporary suspension of grant payments.
Agency Violation--A violation with willful disregard of Federal and State laws governing CSBG programs may result in suspension of grant payments for a designated period of time. The agency will be required to rectify the violation and re-establish itself as competent to carry out the responsibilities governing CSBG programs, as determined by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Termination for cause: ''Termination for cause'' shall result when the Commonwealth determines that the agency has failed to comply with the conditions of the contract and/or federal and state laws governing CSBG programs.
When the Department proposes to terminate a CSBG program, it will notify the agency, in writing, of the action(s) to be taken, the reasons for such action(s), and the appeals procedure, including an opportunity for a hearing on the record. This notice shall be forwarded to the agency by certified mail.
Appeal Procedure--If the agency wishes to appeal the determination, it must submit a written request by certified mail to the Secretary of DCED addressing the reasons for the proposed termination, and any corrective action(s) that has been or will be taken.
This request must be made within 30 calendar days of receipt of the termination notice.
The appeal may also include a request by the agency that the Secretary, or his/her designee, hold a public hearing before making a decision, in which case such a public hearing shall be held.
The Secretary shall make one of the following decisions on the agency's appeal, and shall notify the agency of the decision in writing within 30 calendar days following the appeal or following a hearing on the appeal:
* The Secretary may uphold the appeal and remove the notice of intent to terminate.
* The Secretary may remove the notice of intent to terminate but provide the agency with notice of specific corrective actions that must be taken.
If the agency subsequently fails to take corrective actions, the Secretary may reinstate the proposed termination procedures.
* The Secretary may deny the appeal, in which case the agency shall be notified of the effective date of termination. This date shall be either the date contained in the original notice of intent to terminate or a specified date at least 30 days after the Secretary sends the decision, whichever is later. The notice of the decision shall also contain all requirements pertaining to termination of CSBG-related activities and return of CSBG funds.
The agency may appeal the Department's final determination to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with the Community Services Block Grant Act, Section 676 A (amended).
When an agency's contract is terminated for cause, the agency shall not incur new obligations for the terminated portion after the effective date, and shall cancel as many outstanding obligations as possible. The Department shall allow full credit to the grantee for any completed work that the Department deems satisfactory.
(3) Fiscal Controls, Audits and Withholding
(a) Assurance § 676(b)(7)
The State will permit and cooperate with any and all federal investigations undertaken in accordance with section 678D of the Act.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(7)
Pennsylvania agrees that it will permit and cooperate with any and all Federal investigations conducted in accordance with the Act.
(b) Assurance 676(b)(8)
Any eligible entity in the State that received funding in the previous fiscal year through a community services block grant under the community services block grant program will not have its funding terminated or reduced below the proportional share of funding the entity received in the previous fiscal year unless, after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record, the State determines that cause exists for such termination or such reduction, subject to review by the Secretary as provided in Section 678C(b) of the Act.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(8)
Pennsylvania Act 116 (amended) provides that:
''As established by the formula . . . determination of annual funding levels shall be made by the Secretary based on input from local agencies and the CSBG Advisory Task Force. Any Community Action Agency or migrant and seasonal farm workers organization which received funding in the previous fiscal year under this Act will not have its present or future funding terminated under this Act or reduced below the proportional share of funding it received in the previous fiscal year unless, after notice and opportunity for hearing on the record, the Commonwealth determines that cause existed for such termination or such reduction, subject however to review under section 676 A of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law 97-35, Stat. 357).''
For purposes of making a determination with respect to a funding reduction, the term ''cause'' includes:
* a Statewide redistribution of funds under this Act to respond to the results of the most recently available census or other appropriate data;
* the establishment of a new eligible entity;
* severe economic dislocation; and
* the failure of an eligible entity to comply with the terms of its agreement to provide services under this Act.
(c) Assurance 676(b)(10)
The State will require each eligible entity to establish procedures under which a low-income individual, community organization, or religious organization, or representative of low-income individuals that considers its organization, or low-income individuals, to be inadequately represented on the board (or other mechanism) of the eligible entity, to petition for adequate representation.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(10)
The State requires each of its eligible entities to establish procedures under which a low-income individual, community organization, religious organization, or representative of low-income individuals, can petition the agency for adequate board representation. All eligible entities are required to have these procedures in their by-laws or policies.
I. Accountability and Reporting Requirements
(1) Results Oriented Management and Accountability
Assurance 676(b)(12)
The State and all eligibility entities in the State will, not later than fiscal year 2001, participate in the Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) System or another performance measure system for which the Secretary facilitated development pursuant to Section 678(E)(b) of the Act.
Implementation of (Assurance 676(b)(12)
Beginning in the 1998-99 program year, Pennsylvania required all of its eligible entities to collect data to report on the six (6) National Goals. Also during that year, a ROMA Task Force was developed consisting of representatives from nine (9) CAAs, the Executive Director of the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, a consultant and OCS staff to develop a ROMA reporting format.
This format was implemented beginning in State Fiscal Year 1998-99 (July 1, 1998--June 30, 1999) and subsequently revised. All eligible entities were required to report on this new FACS Report format (Attachment 5). This report takes into consideration the National Association for State Community Services Program's Information Systems Survey (CSBG/IS) and includes the six (6) national goals and selected outcome measures as determined by the State in conjunction with the Task Force. It also includes a section for: client characteristics; outcome measures and results and program and management accomplishments. This report is submitted to the Office of Community Services twice yearly, generally January 20th, and July 20th.
(2) Annual Report
The annual report for FY 2003 activities will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by March 31, 2004, as directed.
VI. Community Food and Nutrition Program
A. Statement of CFNP Assurances:
As part of the annual or biannual application and plan required by Section 681 of the Community Services Block Grant Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) (the Act), the designee of the Chief Executive of the State hereby agrees to provide for community-based, local and statewide programs to accomplish the objectives of the Community Food and Program (CFNP), as follows:
to coordinate private and public food assistance resources, where coordination is inadequate, in order to better serve low-income populations;
to assist low-income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition programs and to initiate such programs in under served or unserved areas; and
to develop innovative approaches to meet the nutrition needs of low-income individuals.
By the authority delegated to me by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I certify to the above assurances of the CSBG Act.
__________
Dennis Yablonsky Date
Secretary
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic DevelopmentB. Proposed CFN Funding
All funds will be awarded to the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center (PHAC), a statewide anti-hunger organization established in 1978. The mission of that organization is to end hunger and increase opportunities for all Pennsylvanians to meet their food needs with health and dignity.
Problems to be Addressed.
Funds will be used for the following two purposes:
* to prevent hunger among Pennsylvania households that are food insecure; and
* to reduce food insecurity among low-income Pennsylvania households.
To achieve these results, the program will:
* assist households that face immediate food shortages;
* address weaknesses in the delivery of existing nutritional services that are funded with public dollars;
* empower low-income individuals whose experiences are frequently not communicated to policy-makers; and
* strengthen the statewide network of anti-hunger agencies and organizations, including its ability to serve food insecure households in rural counties.
PHAC's work will focus on the portion of the Pennsylvania population that has been characterized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as ''food insecure''. According to the USDA study, most food insecure households have annual household incomes below 130 percent of poverty.
Program
1. Introduction
The Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center is a statewide nonprofit agency incorporated in 1978. It began as a coalition of other groups and individuals already engaged in anti-hunger activities. Known first as the Pennsylvania Coalition for Food and Nutrition (PCFN), the agency has evolved over time to become a channel for a wide variety of organizations and entities to become involved in anti-hunger work.
Hunger Action works collaboratively with a wide range of other anti-hunger organizations across Pennsylvania. This enables it to have a statewide impact notwithstanding its small staff.
2. Community Action Plan (CSBG Act Requirements --Section 675 (c) (13))
A. Needs and Strengths Assessment
The most widely accepted tool for measuring hunger and food insecurity in Pennsylvania is provided by the US Department of Agriculture, which publishes an annual study of hunger and food insecurity based on data provided by the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey.
Based on the most recent USDA report (October 2002), during the three years of 1999-2001, an average of 2.2 percent of Pennsylvania households experienced hunger and 8.4 percent of Pennsylvania households experienced food insecurity. Approximately 253,000 individuals lived in households that experienced hunger and 1,135,000 lived in food insecure households. This program will seek to reduce the number of households that experience hunger and/or food insecurity.
Three areas of capacity must be utilized effectively in order to meet this goal: (a) the private economic sector; (b) the private charitable network of food banks, pantries and cupboards; and (c) the publicly funded nutrition programs. Although the private economy is by far the most important, PHAC does not have the capacity to influence that sector. Therefore, its program will build on its relationships within the charitable and public sectors to achieve a decrease in hunger and food insecurity.
1. Private Charitable Food Assistance Network.
This network consists of approximately 20 food banks, all of which are members of the PA Association of Regional Food Banks (PARF). It also consists of approximately 1,500 local food pantries and cupboards that distribute food to needy households.
Since 1995 Hunger Action has maintained a statewide database of local food pantries and cupboards, which is used to help identify local sources of food assistance for callers to Hunger Action's Food Information Line (1-800-FOOD-997). To maintain this database, Hunger Action communicates annually with local pantries and cupboards in regard to local operations. It also communicates with these pantries and cupboards every six months regarding the number of households being served and with many pantries and cupboards every other month via The Pennsylvania Hunger Advocate.
Whenever Hunger Action participates in a local activity, it draws on these relationships to forge active collaborations. Whenever Hunger Action initiates a statewide activity, it utilizes this network of charitable providers as partners in implementation.
2. Publicly Funded Nutrition Programs.
Included are the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP), TEFAP, and Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (administered by Agriculture); Neighborhood Assistance Program (administered by DCED); the Food Stamp Program (administered by Public Welfare); the WIC Program (administered by Health); the congregate dining and home-delivered meals program (administered by Aging); and the School Lunch, School Breakfast, Summer Food, and Child and Adult Care Food programs administered by Education.
Over its 25-year history Hunger Action staff have forged working relationships with staff in these executive agencies. In recent years staff have served in an advisory capacity to food program administrators in Agriculture, Public Welfare and Health.
Local administrators of the School Lunch and Breakfast programs, as well as the WIC Program, have formed professional associations to improve the quality of services offered to needy children. Hunger Action staff collaborate with these associations as need requires.
Even in counties where some of these programs are weak or nonexistent, there are people and organizations that embrace the mission of ending hunger and reducing food insecurity. Included are local school food service staff; the county staff responsible for the administration of the SFPP contract and TEFAP commodities; the local community action agency; the local county assistance office; and the local WIC office. Hunger Action staff link with these individuals as circumstances require and regularly communicate with these individuals via The Pennsylvania Hunger Advocate.
B. Description of Service Delivery System.
In light of Hunger Action's statewide responsibilities, the task of describing the entire food assistance delivery system is formidable. Included are all school districts, county assistance offices and WIC clinics; most community action agencies; all food banks and food pantries; many nutrition-education programs, including the activities of the Cooperative Extension Offices; and many civic and faith-based organizations, including senior centers, youth clubs and after-school programs. Tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians volunteer at kitchens, pantries and summer food sites. Also included are six executive agencies of state government, each of which administers a statewide anti-hunger program.
Given the nature of the challenges within the service delivery system, the primary role of Pennsylvania's statewide anti-hunger organization is to emphasize the themes of communication, cooperation and integration of the various efforts.
C. Gaps in Service Delivery
Within the charitable food assistance network, there are disparities among counties in regard to the amount of food assistance available to food insecure households. There also are disparities in the frequency with which food assistance is distributed.
Disparities exist within publicly-funded programs as well. The School Breakfast Program is not offered by about 20 percent of Pennsylvania school districts. The Summer Food Program is not available at all in 18 rural counties. The Child and Adult Food Program is virtually unknown in many parts of rural Pennsylvania. The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is not effectively utilized in parts of the state where access to farmers' markets is time-consuming, expensive or inconvenient.
Most importantly, there is significant under-utilization of the Food Stamp Program. Pennsylvania participation among eligible households has dropped from a high of 85 percent in 1995 to 68 percent in 2000. This decline has caused a loss in federal grocery-buying dollars of between $150--$200 million annually.
Gaps and disparities will be addressed through the following linkages:
* Local food security workshops, where forums hosted by local agencies are created for local problem-solving;
* Collaboration with PARF, whose members have the ability to allocate a portion of the resources that flow through the food banks;
* Participation in advisory committees and work groups convened by the departments of Agriculture, Public Welfare, Health and Education;
* Consultations with local school officials about the School Breakfast and Summer Food programs;
* Food Stamp Program outreach and education in which Hunger Action links with local agencies conducting similar activities;
* Publication with the Nutrition Education Network of county-based nutrition access guides;
* Distribution and promotion of county-based guides through nutrition access guides via county offices, community action agencies, ministerial associations, parent-teacher organizations, and United Way agencies.
Coordination of Funding
CFNP funds are used to cover about two-thirds of the costs incurred in our activities to connect people to food, raise public awareness of hunger and its solutions, improve public nutrition service programs, and strengthen the statewide anti-hunger network. Grant funds and private donations cover the remaining costs associated with these activities. Our fourth sector of activity--advocacy to elected officials on behalf of food and nutrition programs--is funded entirely by private donations and a grant from MAZON, the Jewish Response to Hunger.
These activities require staff to be involved in direct human services, inter-agency collaborations, communications with the general public, and communications with public officials. This breadth of involvement fosters a balanced and well-informed approach.
In addition, there is excellent synergy among the various funding sources that support these programs. The CFNP funds support the core activity. This enables Hunger Action to involve other funders that are interested in supporting and improving ongoing activity.
3. Expected Program Objectives and Outcomes
Objective #1:
Service Category: Nutrition.
ROMA Goal: #6 (vulnerable people will achieve their potential through improved nutrition)
Desired Outcomes:
* (6) Reduced Emergency Need (households that receive food assistance from a charitable provider);
* (5) Increased Nutrition (households that are screened for and begin participating in the Food Stamp Program).
Households to be Served:
(6)(a) Households that receive food assistance from a charitable provider:
2003-04 4,000 households
2004-05 3,750 households
2005-06 3,500 households(5)(e) Households that are screened for the Food Stamp Program:
200 households
2004-05 200 households
2005-06 200 households(5)(e) Households that enroll in the Food Stamp Program:
2003-04 60 households
2004-05 60 households
2005-06 60 householdsActivities:
* Emergency Food Line
* Food Stamp Screening
* Outreach to publicize availability of services
* Pantry database update
* Data collection
Objective #2:
Service Category: Nutrition.
ROMA Goal: #2 (conditions in which low-income people live will improve)
Desired Outcome:
* (5) Essential Nutrition Service Systems are Improved.
Households to be Served:
(5)(f) Increase in Households Participating in Food Stamp Program from Same Month the previous year:
2003-04 20,000
2004-05 15,000
2005-06 10,000(5)(f) Increase in number of Rural Children Receiving Subsidized Summer Meal from Previous Summer:
2003-04 5,000
2004-05 5,000
2005-06 5,000(5)(f) Increase in school buildings serving school breakfast from previous year.
2003-04 50
2004-05 50
2005-06 50
Activities:
* Participation in advisory or work groups facilitated by the Departments of Public Welfare and Education.
* Meetings and correspondence with policy-level staff in the above-referenced agencies.
* Program-specific workshops.
* Consultations and collaborations with school staff, community groups, other advocacy groups.
* Newsletters, press releases and website material.
* Public speaking and other methods of building public support for these programs.
Objective #3:
Service Category: Linkages
ROMA Goal: #3 (low-income people own a stake in their communities)
Desired Outcome:
* (2) Low-Income People Participate in Community Advocacy.
Individuals to be Served:
(2)(a) Number of low-income people participating in advocacy activities to public officials.
2003-04 2,000
2004-05 2,000
2005-06 2,000Activities:
* Twice-a-year meetings with the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and Just Harvest to meet with food cupboard managers and low-income members.
* Facilitate advocacy opportunities such as a postcard campaign for pantry/cupboard patrons.
Objective #4:
Service Category: Linkages
ROMA Goal: #4 (stronger partnerships will be achieved)
Desired Outcomes:
* (6) Partnerships among Food Banks and Other Food and Nutrition Agencies are Achieved.
Measures:
(6)(1) Partnerships to improve and coordinate service delivery.
2003-04 6
2004-05 6
2005-06 6(6)(5) Partnerships to strengthen the statewide anti-hunger network.
2003-04 1
2004-05 1
2005-06 1Activities.
* Four local community food security workshops.
* One collaboration to impact public policy.
* One workshop event focused on a specific child nutrition program.
* One statewide conference.
Objective #5:
Service Category: Linkages.
ROMA Goal: #5 (increased internal capacity)
Desired Outcomes:
* (1)(a) Additional funding sources
* (1))(c) Additional cash donors.
Measures:
One of more additional private grants that provide, as compared to the previous year:
2003-04 $25,000 increase in funding
2004-05 $15,000 increase in funding
2005-06 $10,000 increase in fundingAdditional cash donations that provide, as compared to the previous year:
2003-04 $ 2,000 increase in funding
2004-05 $ 2,000 increase in funding
2005-06 $ 2,000 increase in funding4. Methods of Operation
A. Area of Coverage
Hunger Action's programs and services are available statewide. It has two toll-free lines, both of which have been widely advertised. The first (1-800-FOOD-997) is available to people who need immediate food assistance; the second (1-800-634-2033) is available to people who seek information about their eligibility for the Food Stamp Program. During calendar year 2002, the Food Information Line received calls from clients representing almost every county of the commonwealth. Local food security workshops, hosted by a local organization in collaboration with Hunger Action, have been held in 18 counties.
B. Operational Procedures
The Food Information Line and the Food Stamp Screening Service have been well publicized over the years. The Food Information Line utilizes a database of approximately 1,300 food pantries and cupboards. The Food Stamp Screening Service utilizes a spreadsheet designed by Dr. Beth Osborne Daponte of Carnegie-Mellon University and the COMPASS web-based application system designed by DPW.
Work with state executive agency staff to improve nutritional service systems involves monitoring program performance, familiarity with ever-changing laws and budget appropriations, and regular consultation and correspondence. These tasks are primarily the responsibility of the executive director.
Work to empower low-income individuals to communicate to public officials is conducted in collaboration with grassroots anti-hunger organizations such as Just Harvest (Pittsburgh) and the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger. Hunger Action also works with the food banks to distribute materials such as postcards that can be used by food pantry patrons for advocacy.
Partnership-building efforts are ongoing and cumulative. One successful joint endeavor naturally leads to others.
C. Selection of Participants
Eligibility for the Food Stamp Screening Service is verified via a self-declaration form, which is kept on file for audit and review. Eligibility for the Food Information Line is not documented.
Work to improve essential service systems focuses only on means-tested programs, such as the Food Stamp Program, the School Breakfast Program and Summer Food Program. Households and individuals benefiting from our activities will be people who meet the eligibility requirements of those programs.
Partnerships or collaborations are formed primarily with other organizations (such as food banks) that serve a means-tested population.
D. Coordination
The program described herein has evolved over the years and builds on the experience and input received over time. For example, the Food Information Line started in 1995 in response to a need perceived at that time. Experience since then has confirmed the continued need for this service. The Food Stamp Screening Service was started in 2000 in response to the Pennsylvania decline in Food Stamp Program participation. Experience has also demonstrated the continuing need for this service. The emphasis on improving the access of rural children to child nutrition programs reflects input received in the course of rural Food Security Workshops over the past three years. Conversations with school administrative staff about the School Breakfast and Summer Food programs reflect what we have learned in the course of promoting those programs.
The direction of our program is calibrated in the course of meetings routinely held with low-income individuals and partner organizations that serve the low-income community. As indicated elsewhere in this application, those meetings include Philadelphia food cupboard managers, food bank executives, and rural food security workshops.
E. Evaluation Procedures
1. Data Collection
On a daily basis PHAC collects data on the number of households that use the Food Information Line and the Food Stamp Screening Service. Monthly reports are prepared by staff for the review of the Executive Director.
In regard to the performance of key nutrition programs (Food Stamps, School Breakfast, Summer Food), PHAC regularly monitors data reports prepared by the Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Education to determine whether access to and participation in those programs is improving.
2. Self-Monitoring
The Board of Directors uses an outcomes-based approach to its oversight of staff performance. It requires the Executive Director to report on outcomes at quarterly meetings of the Board.
Staff review performance data as it becomes available and adjust their activities accordingly.
B. List of CFNP Grantees for the Prior Program Year:
The Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center was the only grantee awarded CFNP funds during the previous program year. They received the full allocation of $151,941.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 03-1896. Filed for public inspection September 26, 2003, 9:00 a.m.]
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