Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS) Advancement Project

Advancing Conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory ProgramStandards Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: RFA-FD-20-012 Participant: Jersey County Health Department Program Dates: July 2020- June 2021Project AbstractThe Jersey County Health Department (JCHD) will advance conformance with the Voluntary NationalRetail Food Regulatory Standards (VNRFRS.) An action plan will be developed to enhance our currentfood program?s software and training curriculum. JCHD will develop and implement a software programthat will increase awareness of variables of Standard 3: Inspection Program based on HACCP Principles,Standard 4: Uniform Inspection Program, Standard 6: Compliance and Enforcement, Standard 8:Program Support and Resources and Standard 9: Program Assessment. This grant funding will provideJCHD with the opportunity to purchase and foster a system to track trends of foodborne illness, identifyrisk factors, schedule inspections, monitor inspector?s performance and strengthen record keeping.Another aspect of this project will be to implement Food Safety Classes to increase Active ManagerialControl for Persons in Charge. These classes will provide intervention strategies and help foodestablishments develop a Food Safety System. Meeting with these industry leaders will also advanceJCHD?s conformance in Standard 7: Industry and Community Relations. The final aspect of this projectwill be for meeting Standard 2: Trained Regulatory Staff. This grant funding will provide trainingopportunities to meet the standard requirements for continuing education, learn about food safetyresources available, and allow our jurisdiction to network with other jurisdictions working on theVNRFRS. By the end of the project, JCHD will have a digital inspection food safety program that ismonitored and maintained by software that meets the criteria for Standards 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9, improvingand upholding the current standards that we have met. The data collected will strengthen the VNRFRSand help reduce the risk factors known to contribute to foodborne illness.