Funded Programs

2022

General Grant Awards

Contract No.: 2022-06

Mileage Club, PUSD

The Mileage Club Program aims to prevent obesity and promote emotional health through a walking program for K-6th grade students at 4 elementary schools in Parlier Unified School District. The walking program consist of 1-hour for five days a week before school with fun booths, activities, incentives, milestones for reaching goals, award ceremony, and a culmination celebration for all participants. ($20,000)

Mini Grant Awards

Contract No.: 2022-04

Swimming Lessons, City of Reedley

The “Swim Lessons Program” is an expansion of the City’s fee-based swimming program that will offer free swimming lessons for low-income children ages 4-10. The aim is to increase physical activity and reduce obesity while promoting water safety. ($5,000)
Contract No.: 2022-05

Health Fair/Lecture Series, Reedley College

The Reedley College Health Fair/Lecture Series program will be implemented during the 2022-23 school year and aims to promote health and wellness to assist students and staff as they transition back to on-campus learning by way of a health fair, lecture series and behavioral health training. Participants will benefit from one Health fair with health-related providers, informational booths, and health screenings. Ten monthly non-academic lecture series on stress management, appropriate fitness, nutrition, etc. and one behavioral health training (Mental Health 101) with Susan Bechara. ($5,000)

Renewal Grants

Contract No.: 2022-01

Diabetes Prevention Program, CA Health Collaborative

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is an evidence-based curriculum created by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  The CA Health Collaborative has implemented this program in Fresno County for over six-years and employs DPP certified trainers.  Using the CDC approved schedule, the DPP is composed of 26 sessions that begin weekly, reduced to bimonthly after 16 classes, and further reduced to once monthly after 20 sessions.  The CA Health Collaborative is replicating this programming in greater Reedley and Parlier area. The DPP also includes community outreach through the participation in at least 6 community events in English and Spanish.  As an incentive for participation and to increase access to healthy foods, the DPP issues “Food Farmacy Rx” that can be used as vouchers at grocery stores. Finally, the CA Health Collaborative will implement Five 6-week Diabetes Empowerment Education Program classes, one in each community. ($25,000)

Contract No.: 2022-02

Get Moving, Sierra View Homes

The “Get Moving” program offers 8-week classes concentrating on balance, gait, and strengthening. Nutrition education is incorporated with an emphasis on using food as medicine.  Participants are seniors in independent living accommodations that are typically 85+.  As an effort to expand programing to more seniors, Sierra View Homes is working in coordination with the City of Reedley Senior’s Program to offer two 8-week classes at the senior center. ($35,000)

Contract No.: 2022-03

Youth Behavioral Awareness, Community Youth Ministries

The “Youth Behavioral Awareness Program” will target students in grades 1-8 at twelve KCUSD sites with classes focusing on 3-pillars: 

  1. 24 Nutrition classes will involve two guest speakers on healthy eating choices and students will be provided a healthy snack.
  1. 10 College Readiness classes will involve a guest speaker on college readiness and a college campus visit throughout the year.  
  1. 2 Parent-Child Relationship classes will involve a guest speaker on healthy parent-child relationships.  Parent participation will be encouraged. ($35,000)

Special Initiatives

Contract No.: 2022-07

Health Science Pathway Scholarship, Internal

The Health Science Pathway Scholarship Program provides financial support to graduating seniors for their continued education in a field of study designed to result in a profession in the healthcare industry. Ten high school seniors are selected from eligible Valley Regional Occupation Program (VROP) students and are awarded a $1,000 scholarship in two phases. $500 is awarded upon proof of enrollment in a qualifying health science pathway major for the Fall of 2022 and $500 is awarded upon proof of successful completion of the 2022-2023 school year in a qualifying health science pathway major. Students must reside in one of the District’s 5 Zones and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.  ($10,000)

Contract No.: 2022-08

Behavioral Health Intervention Program, PUSD

The Behavioral Health Intervention Program aims to best meet the social emotional and Behavioral needs of their students, staff and parents by providing:

  1. Mentoring services for up 60 secondary students at Parlier Jr. High, Parlier High School and San Joaquin High School
  2. Art/Mindfulness monthly classes for up to 50 staff
  3. Zumba monthly classes for up to 50 parents and students

Given the need, the District allocated $25,000 to fund a Behavioral Health Intervention Program. These funds were matched by a $20,000 grant from Cal Viva Health, for a total of ($45,000).

Contract No.: 2022-10

Farmer’s Market, Reedley College

The Reedley College Farmer’s Market is a preventative effort to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, which is proven to prevent the occurrence of obesity and diabetes. Reedley College will implement 10 -week farmer’s markets from September – November. Each market will incorporate food demonstrations to increase knowledge of healthy seasonal fruit and vegetable preparation, physical activity, and distribution of 100 ten-dollar vouchers for fruits and vegetables. ($16,050)

Contract No.: 2022-09

Internal, District Staff

The City of Reedley hosted it’s 14th Annual Walk/Run to promote health, wellness and physical activity.  This year, Sierra Kings sponsored a hydration station at the finish line of the race to provide water and carrots. ($500)

As staff worked with stakeholders to understand the District’s three priority areas (Obesity, Diabetes, and Behavioral Health), an unmet need regarding Behavioral Health philosophies was uncovered.  While there is ample understanding of Obesity and Diabetes, there is an obvious need to bolster the understanding of Behavioral Health awareness and concepts throughout the community.  As a result, the purpose of this item is to seek approval from your Board to allocate $10,000 of Special Initiative funding to provide Behavioral Health capacity building and public awareness during May – Mental Health Awareness Month.  Activities include Mental Health First Aid Training, Trauma Informed Care and Resiliency Training, and a public awareness campaign. ($10,000)

General Grant Awards

Contract No.: 2021-01

CREATION Life, Adventist Health

The CREATION Life Program expands access to preventative obesity and diabetes health services and supports by providing three 10-week seminars to the community in both English and Spanish.  The seminars are designed to increase knowledge of good nutrition and activity. Participants will receive health screenings and practice monitoring key health indicators.  The CREATION Life Program will also hold two 2-day seminars (English and Spanish) for trusted community leaders with the intention to gain their buy-in resulting in them hosting the 10-week seminars.  Finally, the CREATION Life Program will engage with program alumni for a graduation, focus group to garner feedback for Program improvements. ($25,000)

Contract No.: 2021-02

Youth Behavioral Awareness, Community Youth Ministries

The “Youth Behavioral Awareness Program” will target students in grades 1-8 at twelve KCUSD sites with classes focusing on 4-pillars:

  1. 24 Nutrition classes will involve two guest speakers on healthy eating choices and students will be provided a healthy snack.
  2. 24 Trauma classes will involve two guest speakers on self-care, healthy relationships, and substance abuse.
  3. 24 Parent-Child Relationships classes will involve two guest speakers on healthy parent-child relationships. Parent participation will be encouraged.
  4. 24 College Readiness classes will involve two guest speakers on college readiness and a college campus visit throughout the year. ($25,000)
Contract No.: 2021-03

Diabetes Prevention Program, CA Health Collaborative

The proposed Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is an evidence-based curriculum created by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  The CA Health Collaborative has implemented this program in Fresno County for over six-years and employs DPP certified trainers.  Using the CDC approved schedule, the DPP is composed of 26 sessions that begin weekly, reduced to bimonthly after 16 classes, and further reduced to once monthly after 20 sessions.  The CA Health Collaborative will replicate this programming in the 5 Zones of the District, with the anticipation of 10 participants in each Zone. The DPP will also include community outreach through the participation in at least 3 community events.  Finally, as an incentive for participation, the DPP will issue “Food Farmacy Rx” that can be used as vouchers at grocery stores. ($25,000)
Contract No.: 2021-04

Get Moving Program, Sierra View Homes

The “Get Moving” program will offer ten 8-week classes concentrating on balance, gait, and strengthening.  Nutrition education will also be incorporated with an emphasis on using food as medicine.  Participants will be seniors in independent living accommodations that are typically 85+. ($19,120)

Mini Grant Awards

Contract No.: 2021-05

Teen Moms, Community Youth Ministries

The “Teen Moms Program” will convene a weekly peer support group with twenty (20) KCUSD teen moms to promote personal and parent-child behavioral health. Teens will learn about parenting and child development, strengthen social-emotional competence, increase social connections, and improve access to concrete supports during times of need. The program will also aim to reduce obesity among the teens and their children through demonstrations of healthy food preparations and distribution of meal prep kits for preparation at home during that week. Curriculum will also include Daily Food Choices, Reading Food Labels, Nutrition for Babies and Young Children, and Understanding Food Choices. ($5,000)
Contract No.: 2021-06

Swimming Lessons, City of Reedley

The “Swim Lessons Program” is an expansion of the City’s fee-based swimming program that will offer free swimming lessons for low-income children ages 4-10. The aim is to increase physical activity and reduce obesity while becoming water safe. ($5,000)
Contract No.: 2021-07

Behavioral Health Training, Sequoia Safety Council

The “Behavioral Health Training and Wellness Program” will implement a behavioral health training for the 40 First Responders servicing the District. ($2,500)

Special Initiatives

Contract No.: 2021-09

Internal, District Staff

The Sierra Kings promoted awareness around behavioral health during May – Mental Health Awareness Month to aid in normalizing mental health conversations and reduce stigmas. In coordination with the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce, the City of Reedley, Kings Canyon Unified School District, Parlier Unified School District, and Miriam Andres,

District free activities included:

  • “The Juggle is Real” parent education night at Silas Bartsch Elementary School
  • Yoga and Tai Chi Classes for stress relief
  • Book signing by Dr. Rochelle Calvert, “Healing with Nature”
  • NAMI 5k Walk
  • Therapeutic Art Workshop
  • Art mural for the Parkway Trail
  • Green wristband campaign

Funding allocation ($10,000)

Contract No.: 2020-08

12th Annual Reedley Fiesta Run, City of Reedley

The City of Reedley hosts an annual run/walk to promote physical activity.  This year, the event was virtual given COVID 19.  It occurred October 10-31, 2020. ($500)

Contract No.: 2021-10

Reedley Beach River Safety, City of Reedley

Reedley Beach is a popular past time activity for locals and out-of-towners.  Though a place for fun and family time, Reedley Beach has also been the location of drownings among children and adults.  The swift water flow, coupled with steep “drop offs”, sometimes make for a dangerous site.  Following the most recent tragedy on August 8, 2020 where a man drowned while attempting to save three (3) children, the City of Reedley convened its Community Services Commission to investigate possible strategies to reduce the likelihood of deaths at the river.  District staff attended that meeting.  This project supports the development and production of user-friendly signage and outreach materials to promote river safety. ($10,000)

Contract No.: 2021-11

Bearskin Meadow Diabetic Camp, Reedley Lions

A partnership with the Reedley Lions Service Club to support the completion of an outdoor pavilion at Bearskin Meadows Diabetic Camp.  This project was fully funded and underway prior to COVID.  Progress on this project was halted due to COVID in 2020.  Prices of materials (steel and lumber) increased over the year of delay. The Reedley Lions coordinated funding to support such increases to finish the 50×30 outdoor pavilion. ($8,200)

AGENDA AND NOTICES