Subject:
Title
FY 2017 Human Services Social Action Grant Funding Recommendations.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the FY17 Social Action Grant Funding Recommendations and delegate authority to the County Administrator to approve and execute the Social Action Funding Agreements.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
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
Summary:
Nineteen (19) community agencies are recommended for funding representing twenty-two (22) programs in the areas of food/nutritional services, homeless prevention, support services for the homeless, healthcare and human services for disadvantaged residents, and supportive services for an aging population. A breakdown of the agencies is attached. The initial grant award will be for a three-year (3) project period. Two (2) additional one-year renewals may be awarded contingent upon satisfactory performance, funding availability, and County Administrator approval.
Background Information:
Social Action Grants are available to qualified non-profit social service organizations desiring to provide services to homeless and low income residents of Pinellas County to address their health, economic and social well-being. The current Social Action programs were initiated in FY2012 and the twelve (12) organizations are in their fifth year of funding with programs continued while evaluating the Social Action process.
Throughout the FY2016 contracting process, beginning in May 2015, Pinellas County advised recipients that a competitive process would be released for FY2017 funding. In addition, Human Services announced the competitive process during mandatory contract introduction meetings in September 2015 and in community forums in the fall of 2015.
For FY 2017 funding, Pinellas County Human Services administered a competitive application process for Social Action Funding. The grant solicitation was posted on April 6, 2016 with email notification to community partners, and a standard application form was used to promote effective review and scoring. The County funding priorities for Social Action Grants are food/nutritional services, homeless prevention, support services for the homeless, healthcare and human services for disadvantaged residents, and supportive services for an aging population.
A Social Action Grant Selection Committee (Committee) was posted and convened to score and rank the applications and develop funding recommendations for review and approval. The Committee was comprised of six (6) members from the following agencies: Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), Department of Children and Families (DCF), Homeless Leadership Board (HLB), James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center, Pinellas County Office of Management and Budget, and Pinellas County Community Development. The average grant was anticipated to be at or below $40,000.00 per year; however, larger awards were possible if recommended by the Committee. Fifty-nine (59) applications were received and nineteen (19) community agencies representing twenty-two (22) programs were recommended for funding through the Social Action Grant Program.
The initial grant award will be for a three-year (3) project period. Two (2) additional one-year renewals may be awarded contingent upon satisfactory performance, funding availability, and County Administrator approval. A new solicitation may be issued in between cycles in the event that funding becomes available to address future community service gaps.
Fiscal Impact:
It is anticipated that approximately $800,495.00 in Social Action Grant Funding will be available in FY17 subject to the adoption of the fiscal year budget.
Social action grant priorities were established by the Board in FY13; and in FY16, 13 agencies received funding totaling $551,650.00
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Social Action Grant Selection Committee
Attachments:
FY17 SAF Recommendation Summary Sheet
FY17 SAF Evaluation Spreadsheet