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ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000 FROM THE BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION ON BEHALF OF HEALTHY BABIES BRIGHT FUTURES AND THE MAYORS INNOVATION PROJECT TO BE USED FOR A HEALTHY BABIES INITIATIVE “COMMUNITY ACCESS POP-UP SPOTS (CAPS)” IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLEVELAND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCY PARTNERS, APPROVAL OF CONTRACT K-2021-32, AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION.
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BACKGROUND: Bright Cities partnered with the Mayor’s Innovation Project, an innovative organization that supports mayors through annual meetings, specialized cohorts and networks, technical assistance, publications and more on a small grant program ($5,000 to $10,000 awards) that is open to US city leaders.
Bright Cities has seen particularly in a time of crisis that people can change their behavior in ways that positively impact others and their surroundings. Amidst this incredibly challenging time for everyone, especially local governments and their mayors, Bright Cities was encouraged by the unprecedented amount of change and innovation happening in cities. Bright Cities felt like in the “new normal,” cities and states must identify ways to reimagine services, policies and infrastructure that can currently cause harm to babies’ brains and improve children’s health and reduce health disparities.
To apply for the grant, cities had to propose a project that reduces neurotoxic exposures (exposure to lead, mercury, organophosphate pesticides, phthalates, flame retardants, PAHs, PCBs, arsenic, and/or perchlorate) in pregnant women and children under the age of two. Greater consideration was given to proposals that leverage the grant with local funding to support systematic change, responding specifically to needs highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DISCUSSION: Mayor Clark received notice of the grant opportunity through Bright Cities’ Mayor’s Innovation Project and reached out to partner with the Cleveland County Health Department to create a program eligible for this grant. Cleveland County Health Department wrote the grant request, which was submitted on behalf of the City.
Despite the strong presence of community organizations within this area, access to community resources, health care, and healthy food still remains a barrier for the 11.9 percent of individuals, including children, living at or below the poverty threshold who depend on these services to meet their daily needs. The lack of transportation, technology, and awareness of available services, aggravates the disparity of needs within the Norman community. Mobility of services and outreach to underserved communities via Community Access Pop-up Spots (CAPS) provides a more immediate response for increasing access to existing resources and care.
Twice a month, CAPS will be strategically established in consistent neighborhoods experiencing high levels of food insecurity, poverty, and barriers to transportation and technology. While on-site, CAPS staff will engage with neighborhood residents to clearly identify services with the greatest potential of providing valuable needs to those individuals. Individuals would receive this specific consultation, in addition to access to technology and guidance necessary for identifying qualifications met and signing up for local, state, and federal service programs. Health education on topics relevant to the prevention and reduction of neurotoxins or related to services available through CAPS will be regularly conducted. The full program is outlined in the grant application attached to this agenda item.
The required matching funds is met through in-kind support of staff working with the program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council accept the grant and approve the contract. Additionally, upon receipt of the grant funds, the funds be deposited into Other Revenue - Private Grant (account 109-363377) and appropriated to Miscellaneous Services - Private Grant (account 10110101-44742).