Life Enrichment Committee
March 12, 2024
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Jestin D. Johnson FROM: Scott Means
City Administrator Interim Director, Human
Services
SUBJECT: Affiliation Agreement Between City of
Oakland and the Regents of
University of California, Nutrition
Sciences & Toxicology Department
DATE: February 13, 2024
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To Negotiate And Execute A Five-Year Affiliation Agreement With The Regents Of University Of California, Berkeley Nutrition Services And Toxicology Department To Create Internship Rotation Opportunities In Early Childhood Food And Nutrition For City Of Oakland Head Start.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed Resolution would authorize the City Administrator to negotiate and execute a five- year Affiliation Agreement with the Regents of the University of California, Berkeley Nutrition Services and Toxicology Department to create internship rotation opportunities in early childhood Food and Nutrition with the City of Oakland (City) Head Start program. The Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology Department at the University of California, Berkeley prepares students to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) that work throughout the community to promote the health and wellness of residents. As part of their preparation, students complete 1200 hours of practical training with RDNs in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and community nutrition programs.
Starting in the Spring of 2024, the City’s Head Start intends to begin a partnership with the Dietetics Program of The Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology Department at the University of California, Berkeley to participate in the preparation of nutrition professionals that will serve our community.
This partnership will provide future nutrition professionals with a deep understanding of Head Start, early childhood nutrition, and food service operations in the context of Federal, State, City and local regulations. Their experience with the City’s Head Start will prepare to better our community’s future RDNs.
Jestin Johnson (Feb 28, 2024 23:02 PST)
Feb 28, 2024
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Affiliation Agreement Between City of Oakland and the Regents of University of California, Nutrition Sciences & Toxicology Department
Date: February 13, 2024 Page 2
Life Enrichment Committee
March 12, 2024
The goals of this partnership are as follows:
• Student RDNs will bring expertise and passion to complete mutually beneficial projects at Head Start cites for City of Oakland Head Start Program, its participants, and their families.
• Student RDNs will contribute to Head Start at the central kitchen, centers, and home base socializations.
• Train RDNs to better serve the children and families of Oakland. • Prepare RDNs to partner with Head Start as referring providers. • Facilitate RDNs to partner with Head Start through community partnerships.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology Department at the University of California, Berkeley Nutrition Dietetics Program operates a Master of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics (MNSD) program that prepares students for a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The new UC Berkeley program provides the requirements for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentialing examination eligibility. These requirements include 1200 hours of supervised practice with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in settings throughout the community including clinical practice, hospitals, schools, food service operations, and community settings.
City of Oakland Head Start is directed by the Head Start Program Performance Standard 1302.4 (a) and must ensure the program is providing high-quality health, oral health, mental health, and nutrition services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and that will support each child’s growth and school readiness. It also requires in Head Start Program Performance Standard 1302.102 (2)(iv) that the Program is engaged in continuous program improvement activities such as the projects that will be completed in collaboration with interns from University of California, Berkeley.
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
The policy recommendation in this report advances the Citywide priority of Holistic Community Safety.
Food and Nutrition Insecurity impacts a child’s growth and development. Children are more likely to have repeat illnesses, as well as emotional and behavioral problems that impede their school readiness. These programs, bringing an average of 2-4 student interns annually, coupled with the comprehensive City efforts laid out in the Environmental Justice Element of the City’s 2024 General Plan aims to ensure that all of Oakland’s children have the safe food and water they need to grow and develop.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Affiliation Agreement Between City of Oakland and the Regents of University of California, Nutrition Sciences & Toxicology Department
Date: February 13, 2024 Page 3
Life Enrichment Committee
March 12, 2024
FISCAL IMPACT
This Affiliation Agreement does not involve funding to or from The Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology Department at the University of California, Berkeley. Rather, it establishes a partnership and efforts to be undertaken by both parties for mutual benefit.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
The submission of this report was shared with the Head Start Parent Policy Council and Head Start Advisory Board, which are public meetings.
COORDINATION
The Office of the City Attorney and the Budget Bureau were consulted in preparation of this report and resolution.
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: This Affiliation Agreement improves services to Oakland families that allows them to engage in paid work outside of the home.
Environmental: There are currently no direct environmental benefits or impacts from the City of Oakland Head Start Affiliation Agreement with Regents of University of California, Nutrition Sciences & Toxicology Department.
Race & Equity: The City of Oakland Head Start Program provides comprehensive early care and education to support low-income children and their families – especially those historically marginalized and chronically underserved. This partnership seeks to continuously improve services that address the ongoing health disparities Program families face.
References:
(1) Gitterman, B et al. Promoting Food Security For all Children. Pediatrics. November 2015 (136)5.
(2) Korenman S, Abner KS, Kaestner R, Gordon RA. The Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Nutrition of Preschoolers. Early Child Res Q. 2013 Spring;28(2):325-336.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Affiliation Agreement Between City of Oakland and the Regents of University of California, Nutrition Sciences & Toxicology Department
Date: February 13, 2024 Page 4
Life Enrichment Committee
March 12, 2024
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Staff Recommends That The City Council Adopt A Resolution Authorizing The City Administrator To Negotiate And Execute A Five-Year Affiliation Agreement With The Regents Of University Of California, Berkeley Nutrition Services And Toxicology Department To Create Internship Rotation Opportunities In Early Childhood Food And Nutrition For City Of Oakland Head Start.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Diveena Cooppan, Human Services Division Manager, Early Childhood and Family Services, at (510) 238-3165.
Respectfully submitted,
SCOTT MEANS
Interim Director, Human Services
Reviewed by:
Diveena Cooppan, Program Director
Head Start Program
Prepared by:
Sarah Trist, Program Operations Manager
Head Start Program