TITLE
Recommendation to approve and adopt the funding recommendations of the Community Development Advisory Commission for the Fiscal Year 2010 (FY 10) Social Service Grant Program; and authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents with fifteen (15) various nonprofit organizations approved for FY 10 Social Service Grant Program in the total amount of $199,985 for the period from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Social Service Grant (SSG) program was established in 1986 by the Long Beach City Council to encourage the development of innovative programs to address unmet and emerging social service needs of low-income Long Beach residents. City of Long Beach administration of the SSG program was transferred from the Health and Human Services Department to the Community Development Department in October 2008. In FY 2009, funding for the SSG was $400,000, of which $200,000 was funded with General Funds. The $200,000 funding from the General Fund was eliminated from the FY 10 budget and now the program solely relies on $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The SSG program was placed under the purview of the Community Development Advisory Commission (CDAC), a citizen advisory group who is charged with providing advice to the City Council on formulation of plans, programs, and activities utilizing CDBG funds.
On December 17, 2008, the Commission met to discuss the priority needs and to reprogram the Social Service Grant to mirror the objectives of the CDBG program. A sub-committee was created at that time to review applications and make funding recommendations to the full Commission. In addition, the Commission prioritized SSG categories of service with special consideration given to services to youth, senior citizens and women. The following categories of services were identified priorities in the Request for Proposals:
· Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Services
· Children, Youth, and Family Services
· Homeless Services
· Family Violence and Sexual Abuse/Assault Services
· Gang Violence Prevention Programs
· Health and Mental Health Services
· Senior Citizen Services
· Services for Persons with Disabilities
· Supportive Services that Support Access to Affordable Housing
On June 17, 2009, over 800 notices were sent to the nonprofit community agencies informing them of the availability of the SSG Request for Proposals (RFP). Staff used the existing list from the Department of Health and Human Services and partnered with the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership to identify nonprofit organizations. The City received 45 applications.
On August 11, 2009, the SSG Sub-Committee met to rate the applications and make funding recommendations. This was a difficult endeavor for the Sub-Committee due to the high number of worthy applicants competing for reduced funding. The SubCommittee reviewed all the applications and funded applications that received a score of 75 or greater based on the criteria established in the RFP. Organizations not recommended for funding by the SSG Sub-Committee were given the opportunity to appeal the Sub-Committee's decision to the Community Development Advisory Commission at their meeting of August 19, 2009. At this time, the Commission had the authority to make changes to the recommendations. However, after receiving public testimony, the Commission ultimately voted to approve the recommendations as put forth by the Sub-Committee.
Applications that received a score of 90 to 100 were fully funded at $15,000; scores from 80 to 89 were funded at $14,000 (with the exception of one that requested $9,986); and those who scored 75 to 79 were funded at $11,000. The SSG funding recommendations are attached.
This item was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on September 14, 2009 and Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on September 10, 2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on October 13, 2009 to ensure timely implementation of the agreements.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient CDBG funds to support the Social Service Grant Program are budgeted in the Community Development Grants Fund (SR 150) in the Department of Community Development (CD). There is no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dennis J. Thys
Director, Community Development Department
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |