REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 1, 2026
FROM
JANKI PATEL, Acting Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the Health Resources and Services Administration for Fiscal Year 2027 Expanding Nutrition Services Funding
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, for Fiscal Year 2027 Expanding Nutrition Services funding, in the amount of $350,000, for the period of December 1, 2026 through November 30, 2028.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Department of Public Health to execute and electronically submit the grant application and any subsequent non-substantive amendments and/or documents required to receive the grant award, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Health to transmit the grant application and any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Janki Patel, Acting Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The grant application to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) for Expanding Nutrition Services funding in the amount of $350,000 does not require a local match or cost sharing. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) 2026-27 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
HRSA Fiscal Year 2027 Expanding Nutrition Services (ENS) funding will increase access to nutrition services at HRSA-funded health centers. Nutrition services can help to prevent, manage, and treat diseases and conditions through nutritional and food-based interventions. These services may include nutrition assessments, patient education and counseling on healthy eating, and connection to food resources. Nutrition services may require patient support services, such as case management, outreach, eligibility assistance, and transportation. Partnerships with farms, food banks, schools, other health care providers, and community-based organizations, can increase efficiency and impact.
On July 8, 2026, HRSA released the Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Health Center Program. This competitive grant provides funding to expand nutrition services to HRSA Federally Qualified Health Center operations in the amount up to $350,000 for the period of December 1, 2026 through November 30, 2028.
If awarded, DPH would use ENS funding to increase access to nutritious foods and targeted nutrition interventions by adding a produce food distribution program through a partnership with Bienestar is Wellbeing. ENS funding would also support enhanced diabetes prevention classes and the introduction of Community Health Worker-led exercise and nutrition classes in partnership with El Sol Neighborhood Education Center.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 would allow DPH to execute and electronically submit the grant application, as well as any subsequent non-substantive amendments and/or documents required to receive the grant award, including revisions to the project narrative or the budget documents that do not alter the grant amount or term dates. This application was not submitted for approval by the County Chief Executive Officer under County Policy 05-13 due to the inclusion of forms which are legally binding. DPH would return to the Board of Supervisors to accept funding, if awarded.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on August 12, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on August 18, 2026.