Foundation Of District 304

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE EXPANDED SCOPE OF THIS GUSCRR PROJECT IS INFORMED BY FEEDBACK FROM HEALTHCARE PARTNERS AND FVRX PARTICIPANTS AND RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY NEEDS. ALL CURRENT SPANISH-SPEAKING FVRX PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE THEIR HEALTHCARE FROM SEA MAR IN MOUNT VERNON (SEA MAR SERVES LOW-INCOME AND UNINSURED RESIDENTS AT CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND SPECIALIZES IN SERVICES TO LATINX PERSONS). THUS, INCLUDING SEA MAR MOUNT VERNON AS AN FVRX PROVIDER WILL BETTER ENABLE SERVICE TO LATINX INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY INTEGRATING CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES WITH THEIR EXISTING MEDICAL HOME AND DELIVERING FVRX BENEFITS THROUGH TRUSTED CHANNELS. FVRX EXPANSION WILL ENHANCE THE RESILIENCE OF SKAGIT COUNTY'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM BY PROVIDING PARTNERS WITH TOOLS FOR MANAGING AND REDUCING DIET-RELATED CONDITIONS AMONG UNDERSERVED LATINX POPULATIONS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TIMELY GIVEN THE INCREASED RISKS POSED BY COVID TO PERSONS WITH DIABETES AND OTHER CHRONIC DISEASES.THE EXPANDED PROJECT ALSO RESPONDS TO UNMET NEEDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. IRONICALLY, THOUGH MANY LATINX PEOPLE IN SKAGIT COUNTY PERFORM ESSENTIAL DUTIES AS FARMWORKERS IN THE ROBUST AGRICULTURAL SECTOR, THEY SUFFER DISPROPORTIONATELY FROM FOOD INSECURITY AND DIET-RELATED CHRONIC DISEASES. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED EXISTING SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND HEALTH RISK FACTORS AND DISPARITIES FACED BY THE LATINX COMMUNITY. ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON STATE COVID-19 DATA DASHBOARD, HISPANIC RESIDENTS COMPRISE 13% OF THE TOTAL STATE POPULATION AND REPRESENT 30% OF COVID CASES, 22% OF HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND 12% OF DEATHS. THE AGE-ADJUSTED DEATH RATE PER 100,000 AMONG CONFIRMED OR PROBABLE COVID-19 CASES IS THREE TIMES HIGHER FOR HISPANIC THAN WHITE POPULATIONS. GUSCRR FUNDING WILL ALLOW US TO ADDRESS DISPARITIES THROUGH OUR PROGRAM AND PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED COVID-19 PANDEMIC RELIEF IN SKAGIT COUNTY.THE DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED GUSCRR PROJECT RESPONDS TO THESE FEEDBACK AND UNMET NEEDS AS IT FOCUSES ON ADAPTING PROGRAMMING AND RECRUITMENT TO EFFECTIVELY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY SERVE SPANISH-SPEAKING RESIDENTS. AS WITH OUR EXISTING FVRX PROGRAM, THE GUSCRR PROJECT COMBINESFINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR PURCHASING FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES FROM LOCAL RETAILERS AND FARMERS MARKETS WITH PERSONALIZED GOAL SETTING AND INSTRUCTION AT PARTICIPANTS' MEDICAL HOMEOVER A TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD. MONTHLY CHECK-INS PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY, SPARK MOTIVATION, AND BUILD TRUST BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS AND CLINIC HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.ADDITIONAL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOSTER CONNECTIONS TO OTHER PARTICIPANTS AS WELL AS TO LOCAL RESOURCES FOR HEALTHY EATING AND LIVING THAT WILL EXTEND BEYOND THE PROGRAM'S DURATION.THROUGH THESE METHODS, THE EXTENSION OFOUR EXISTING HEALTHCARE COLLABORATION TO SEA MAR IN MOUNT VERNON WILL INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS AMONG PARTICIPATING LATINX AND SPANISH-SPEAKING FAMILIES, WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO FACE FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO INCORPORATING FRESH PRODUCE IN THEIR DIETS. SIMULTANEOUSLY, NUTRITION EDUCATION AND REGULAR CHECK-INS WITH AN RD, WHEN TAILORED TO THE LATINX COMMUNITY IN AN AUTHENTIC MANNER, WILL ALSO INCREASE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CULTURALLY RELEVANT HEALTHCARE.LASTLY, INCREASING THE VALUE OF INCENTIVES TO PURCHASE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WILL BENEFIT LOCAL FARMERS AND RETAILERS. SMALL FARMS IN SKAGIT COUNTY HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY IMPACTED BY CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS THAT ELIMINATED RESTAURANT SALES AND REDUCED TRAFFIC AT FARMERS MARKETS. EACH OF OUR NINE PARTICIPATING VENDORS ARE LOCALLY OR REGIONALLY OWNED AND MANAGED, MEANING THAT THE INCREASED SALE OF PRODUCE FROM OUR PROPOSED FVRX EXPANSION WILL FACILITATE THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY'S RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC AND ENHANCE THE RESILIENCE OF SKAGIT COUNTY'S FOOD SYSTEM.

SEDRO WOOLLEY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION COMMITTEE

SEDRO WOOLLEY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION COMMITTEE

GROWING FARM TO SCHOOL EXPANDS THE IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF CONCRETE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S FARM TO SCHOOL (F2S) PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED IN 2013 TO INCREASE FOOD SECURITY IN THIS RURAL FOOD DESERT. THE DEMAND TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATING IN F2S BY ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AGING OUT OF THE EXISTING PROGRAM LED TO THIS PROPOSAL FOR A FOUR-SEASON CONTINUUM OF OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE AND CULINARY ARTS FOR STUDENTS AS THEY PROGRESS THROUGH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL, BEGINNING WITH THE BUILDING OF A GREENHOUSE. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S DESIRE TO TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY WILL BE ACHIEVED AS THE F2S COMMUNITY ADVISORY TEAM ESTABLISHES A STAKEHOLDER SUBCOMMITTEE TO ALIGN AND IMPROVE OUTREACH FOR NUTRITION AND FOOD RESOURCES. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN AN AFTER-SCHOOL GARDEN CLUB AND SELL PRODUCE AT THE COMMUNITY MARKET. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE OFFERED CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES IN AGRICULTURE AND CULINARY ARTS AND BUILD SKILLS THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM AND WORK IN THE SCHOOL KITCHENS, GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE; ADVANCING TO PAID INTERNSHIPS WITH FARMERS AND RESTAURATEURS. FAMILIES' PARTICIPATION IN FREE NUTRITION AND COOKING CLASSES WILL BE INCENTIVIZED THROUGH TAKE-HOME BAGS OF SEASONAL PRODUCE GROWN BY BEGINNING FARMERS. THE PROJECT WILL BE SUMMARIZED IN A PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION MANUAL AND MARKETED THROUGH TRAININGS AND CONSULTATIONS TO PROVIDE A REGIONAL MODEL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED TO OTHER SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. GROWING FARM TO SCHOOL SUPPORTS ALL CFPCGP GOALS BY COORDINATING NUTRITION AND FOOD OUTREACH; INCREASING COMMUNITY SELF-RELIANCE; PROMOTING A COMPREHENSIVE, INTERAGENCY RESPONSE; AND MEETING LOCAL AGRICULTURAL NEEDS.

THE SKAGIT FRUIT AND VEGGIE PRESCRIPTION (FVRX) PROGRAM ADAPTS AND ENHANCES EARLY EFFORTS BY UNITED GENERAL DISTRICT 304 (UNITED) AND HEALTHCARE PARTNERS TO PROVIDE PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION INCENTIVES FOR SNAP OR MEDICAID CLIENTS WITH DIET-RELATED HEALTH CONDITIONS. BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS IN PAST SIX-MONTH PROGRAMS, UNITED PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE A ONE-YEAR FVRX PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PEACEHEALTH AND SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS. THE LONGER PROGRAM DURATION WILL PROVIDE GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS. GOALS ARE TO IMPROVE DIETARY HEALTH OF PARTICIPANTS; INCREASE FOOD SECURITY OF PARTICIPANTS AND HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS; AND IMPROVE PARTICIPANTS' CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT. UP TO 130 PARTICIPANTS WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND RECRUITED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, WHO WILL COLLECT BASELINE, SIX-MONTH, MID-PROJECT, AND POST-INTERVENTION HEALTH INDICATORS. THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR WILL DISTRIBUTE FVRX BUCKS DURING MONTHLY NUTRITION AND COOKING CLASSES. PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE SCRIP FOR $1/DAY/HOUSEHOLD MEMBER, REDEEMABLE FOR FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND HERBS AT FIVE FULL-SERVICE GROCERY STORES, THREE FARMERS MARKETS, AND ONE FARM STAND. FVRX INCREASES THE PURCHASE OF FRESH PRODUCE BY LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS. THE PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS FROM DISTINCT PARTS OF FOOD AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AND FOSTERS AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THEY MIGHT COLLABORATE TO IMPROVE THE NUTRITION AND HEALTH OF PARTICIPANTS AND HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS. FVRX PROVIDES SKILL-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT INCREASE PARTICIPANTS' CAPACITY TO MAKE POSITIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGES. THE PROGRAM WILL CONTRIBUTE RELEVANT DATA ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRODUCE PRESCRIPTIONS IN MANAGING CHRONIC DISEASE RISKS, IMPROVING HEALTH, AND REDUCING MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY STOP ACT PROJECT

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC MARKETING CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO REACH FOOD-INSECURE RESIDENTS, THIS PROJECT WILL TEST THE VIABILITY OF USING A SEASONAL, WEEKLY MARKET TO LINK LOCAL FARMS TO CONSUMERS AND INCREASE RESIDENTS' PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL AND LOCAL FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS. A COMMITTEE OF STAKEHOLDERS FROM FOOD-INSECURE FAMILIES AS WELL AS MARKET VENDORS, SOCIAL SERVICE LEADERS, CITY AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND AREA SCHOOLS WILL OVERSEE THE WORK. LOCAL FARMERS WILL DESIGN A SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING PRODUCE TO THE MARKET WITH THE HELP OF AN ESTABLISHED FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM. STUDENT EMPLOYEES AND FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM STAFF WILL SUPPORT SALES OF PRODUCE WHILE ACTVITIES TO DRAW CUSTOMERS TO THE MARKET ARE TESTED. POTENTIAL IMPACTS MAY BE ENHANCED BY INCORPORATING MAERKETING ACTIVITIES TO SUMMER TOURISTS DRAWN TO NEARBY STATE AND NATIONAL PARKS. THE PROJECT RELIES ON A SERIES OF MARKET RESEARCH ACTIVITIES INCLUDING FOCUS GROUPS AND COMMUNITY SURVEYS, RAPID MARKET ASSESSMENTSAND VENDOR REPORTING OF VALUE AND VOLUME OF SALES DURING THE MARKET SEASON. ASSESSMENT OF THE PLANNING PROJECT WILL INCLUDE USE OF THE WHOLE MEASURES COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS.