Subject:
Title
Agreement with 211 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc. for administration of the Adult Emergency Financial Assistance Program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the agreement with 211 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc. for administration of the Adult Emergency Financial Assistance Program.
• This contract provides for the administration and disbursement of financial assistance for adults without minor children facing a qualifying emergency need.
• 211 will be responsible for screening applicants, assessing eligibility, collecting documentation for approval and the disbursement of funds.
• Following a competitive solicitation process, one firm submitted and was selected for recommendation of award by the Human Services Department.
• The agreement has a sixty-month term with an average annual expenditure of $405,589.65 and a total sixty-month contract amount of $2,027,948.29.
Contract No. 21-0398-LI(SCB) in an average annual amount of $405,589.65 for a sixty-month total value of $2,027,948.29 through September 30, 2026. Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
2.4 Support programs that seek to prevent and remedy the causes of homelessness and move individuals and families from homelessness to permanent housing
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
Approval of this agreement will allow 211 to administer emergency financial assistance for adults without minor children facing a qualifying emergency need, including:
- past due rent to avoid eviction
- emergency mortgage assistance to reduce the risk of foreclosure
- utility assistance to prevent unhealthy living conditions or eviction
- emergency transportation assistance for work or medical appointments
- work-related expenses that cause unexpected financial hardship
211 will be responsible for screening applicants, assessing eligibility, collecting documentation for approval and the disbursement of funds. In addition, 211 is expected to maintain the pool of emergency assistance funds, properly invoice for expenses incurred and disbursed, and the recording and reporting of program information and outcomes for County reporting requirements. The County will provide reimbursement of costs on a monthly basis.
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Background Information:
On March 24, 2015, the Board of County Commissioners approved a non-competitive agreement with 211 for AEFAP on a “pilot” basis. After the success of the pilot, a five (5) year agreement was entered into beginning October 2016 and ending September 2021.
In FY19, AEFAP approved 726 cases. In FY20, the number of AEFAP cases declined, however staff assisted with distributing over $24 million in CARES funding to over 10,000 households. From October 1 through July 31, 2021, 211 approved 452 cases. In addition to Emergency Financial Assistance, callers receive navigation and referrals to other services and resources through 211’s free, confidential, multi-lingual, 24-hour hotline for Pinellas County.
On April 9, 2021, a competitive Letter of Interest was released for solicitation. Only one (1) firm responded and was selected for award.
Fiscal Impact:
The five (5) year contract total not to exceed amount is $2,027,948.2900
Average estimated annual expenditure: $405,589.65
Estimated direct service funds expenditure not to exceed: $1,400,000.00
Funding is derived through the Human Services’ budget appropriation to provide assistance and homelessness prevention services.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Merry Celeste, Division Director of Purchasing and Risk Management, Administrative Services
Joe Lauro, Director, Administrative Services
Partners:
211 Tampa Bay Cares
Attachments:
Agreement
Ranking