CDHD Transitions Out Of Senior Nutrition Programs

After 35 years, health district can no longer afford to subsidize program

The Central District Health Department (CDHD) is getting out of the business of providing senior nutrition programs in Ada and Elmore counties, including the Meals On Wheels and congregate dining programs. The health district has provided the senior nutrition programs for the past 35 years, but effective June 1, 2009 will no longer contract with the Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging (Area III) to provide senior meals.

“The changes to senior nutrition are the result of a reprioritization of all programs at Central District Health,” said CDHD Director Russ Duke. “We’ve seen our subsidy of the senior nutrition programs grow to about $165,000 a year beyond what the contracts and participant donations provide. If you add the fundraising we do for Meals On Wheels, the subsidy is closer to $215,000.”

Beginning in late 2008 the health district began scrutinizing its budget to find savings in light of state general fund holdbacks and overall budget reductions for the coming fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. Two primary questions were asked throughout the process: Is the program core to public health? And, can the program be effectively delivered by another organization in the community?

Area III contracts for the delivery of senior meal programs in ten Southwest Idaho counties. CDHD contracts only in Ada and Elmore counties. CDHD is the only health district in Idaho providing senior nutrition services.

“We hate to see Central District Health end its contract to provide senior meals,” said Lori Brelia, Director of Area III. “They’ve done a great job and we’ll miss their expertise. We are confident we will be able to find one or more providers to continue to serve the seniors in Ada and Elmore counties.”

The change will allow new contractors to bid on the senior nutrition programs in the two counties. Area III could choose to contract with one or more organizations to provide the service, or individual senior centers could bid on the contracts themselves. Ultimately it is the responsibility of Area III to insure the programs continue without interruption.

“It’s our goal to make sure no senior will go without a hot, nutritious meal because of these changes,” said Angela Spain, CDHD Manager of Senior Nutrition. “We are working closely with the Area III to insure a smooth transition when they identify new contractors.”

For its part, CDHD has to face some harsh budget realities. The Governor has ordered a 6% hold-back in FY 2009 and the agency expects to see its state appropriation cut by at least 10% in FY 2010. Though the four counties in the CDHD have not yet set budgets for the next year, health district managers are preparing for level funding at best.

The $165,000 supplement to the senior nutrition programs comes from state and county tax dollar appropriations to CDHD. As those revenues shrink, the decisions on how to spend the remaining dollars become more difficult. Health district managers have chosen to focus the remaining funds on core public health programs like WIC, Reproductive Health, Epidemiology, Childhood Immunizations and mandated programs in Environmental Health, like restaurant and day care inspections.

Central District Health will continue to fund raise for the Meals On Wheels program until the end of the contract, as that money goes directly to purchasing food for the program. The annual Culinary Walk-About planned for April 9th at the Boise Centre on the Grove will go on without interruption. Should there be any funds left over they will be passed along to the successor organizations, as will mailing and volunteer lists and some equipment.

The CDHD Senior Nutrition program and Area III are prepared to answer questions about the transition. Contact Angela Spain at CDHD Senior Nutrition at 327-8544 and Lori Brelia at Area III at 322-7033 ext 250.