Project Grant 98T51101

DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN-FUNDED GRANT AGREEMENT IS TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED INTERIM DRINKING WATER PROGRAM (IDWP).THIS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO APPROXIMATELY 280 FARMWORKER FAMILIES RESIDING IN TWENTY SMALL MOBILE HOME PARKS KNOWN AS 'POLANCOS'. THESE 'POLANCOS' EXPERIENCE WATER CONTAMINATION, INCLUDING ARSENIC AND FLUORIDE, THAT IS PRESENT IN THE MOBILE HOME PARK WELLS. THE MAIN PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE COMMUNITY OUTREACH, PLANNING, AND ORGANIZING, ALL OF WHICH WILL FACILITATE A NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE UNDERSTANDING OF EACH COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES AND CHALLENGES. OUR ESTABLISHED NETWORK RELATIONSHIPS WITH POLANCO PARKS ARE THE IDEAL CONDITIONS TO CONDUCT DOOR-TO-DOOR CANVASING TO BEGIN DEVELOPING THE IDWP. THIS EFFORT WILL BE AIDED BY DISTRIBUTION OF FLYERS, NEWSLETTERS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY. THESE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN ENCOURAGING FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IDWP. FAMILIES WILL SIGN A LETTER OF AGREEMENT TO MOVE TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POINT-OF-USE WATER FILTRATION UNITS. ALL THESE MILESTONES WILL ENSURE GREATER PROGRAM PARTICIPATION TO INCREASE WATER CONTAMINATION KNOWLEDGE, COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS, BOOST EQUITY THROUGH RESOURCE ACCESSION, IMPROVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS QUALITY OF LIFE, AND PROGRESS TOWARDS THE MAIN WATER CONSOLIDATION GOAL WITH LOCAL MUNICIPAL SERVICES. PREAWARD COSTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BACK TO 03/01/2023.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE: 1: COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO APPROXIMATELY 20 POLANCO MOBILE HOME PARKS; INFORM RESIDENTS REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT (SDWA) REGULATIONS. 2: PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT INTERIM SOLUTIONS FOR DRINKING WATER TO COMPLY WITH THE SDWA; INTRODUCE THE IDWP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE INSTALLATION OF POINT-OF-USE WATER FILTRATION USING REVERSE OSMOSIS TECHNOLOGY. 3: PROVIDE TRAINING AND INFORMATION REGARDING WATER SAMPLING AND REPORTING; ESTABLISH COMPLIANCE PROCESS, INCLUDING SCHEDULING OF WATER SAMPLING. 4: PROVIDE REPORTING OF INSTALLED UNITS EVIDENCED BY EPA TRACKING FORMS INCLUDING WATER SAMPLING AND REPORTINGSUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: 1. DEVELOPMENT OF A NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND WORKPLAN: WORK IN COORDINATION WITH POLANCO COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY AND CHARACTERIZE CHALLENGES AND NEEDS FOR THE PROJECT; AND EXPLAIN POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. 2. SCOPING: CONDUCT COMMUNITY CANVASSING TO NOTIFY RESIDENTS OF THE IDWP AND TO COLLECT ACCURATE POPULATION DATA. 3. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: UTILIZE AND PREPARE OUTREACH STRATEGIES AND MATERIALS, SUCH AS PUBLISHED MATERIALS, FLYERS, NEWSLETTERS, AND HANDOUTS, TO INFORM AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT DRINKABLE WATER. OUTREACH INCLUDES A PHASED APPROACH TO INTRODUCE THE COMMUNITY TO THE IDWP; PRESENT PROJECT IMPACTS, CONSOLIDATION, BENEFITS, AND COSTS AS WELL AS OPTIONS FOR INTERIM SOLUTIONS; AND DISCUSS THE PARTICIPATING RESIDENTS RESPONSIBILITIES. 4. LETTERS OF AGREEMENT TO RECEIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: OBTAIN LETTER OF AGREEMENT FROM EACH MOBILE HOME PARK OWNER OR INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER WHO INTENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IDWP PROGRAM. 5. SCHEDULE DEVELOPMENT: DEVELOP A SCHEDULE OF INSTALLATIONS, AFTER LETTERS OF AGREEMENT ARE SIGNED, AND INSTALL UNITS FOR RESIDENTS THE BENEFICIARIES ARE THE RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF POLANCOS.