Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) to provide Resettlement/Refugee Services for a twelve-month period.
CRIS was established in 1987 and is the largest community based organization providing services to refugees and immigrants in Central Ohio. Their mission is to help refugees and immigrants attain and sustain economic self-sufficiency in the Columbus community. CRIS provides language-appropriate employment training and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) training and assists graduates with job placement. This program provides ESL services, acculturation programs, immigration legal services, and employment services.
This legislation represents a program funded following the Emergency Human Services application process. The legislation targets a social service agency that will provide help to families and households through resettlement programs by assisting with the operating needs of the agency. In addition, the city supports programs and activities so that the greater population is assured access to other community assistance. This funding will allow the process to continue much needed services.
Emergency action is necessary to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $66,319.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund. In 2009, a total of $2,100,000 has been allocated to fund social service programs through the Emergency Human Services Fund. Companion legislation authorizes the expenditure of the balance of the funds.
Title
To approve the grant applications of Community Refugee and Immigration Services seeking financial assistance to address an emergency human service need pursuant to Columbus City Codes, 1959; to authorize the Director of Development to execute a grant agreement with Community Refugee and Immigration Services; to authorize the expenditure of $66,319.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($66,319.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Community Refugee and Immigration Services has submitted a grant application seeking financial assistance for Emergency Human Service Funds; and
WHEREAS, City Council has reviewed the grant application and hereby declares that the agency has articulated a need for Emergency Human Services operating funds that is sufficient to justify approval of said grants; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a grant agreement with Community Refugee and Immigration Services for the continued provision of social services and these programs include, but are not limited to resettlement programs, information and referral efforts, and resource center activities; and
WHEREAS, City Council is authorized to allocate funds annually to assist social service agencies in the city with the operating costs of delivering programs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into grant agreements with Community Refugee and Immigration Services to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of program services, all for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the grant application of Community Refugee and Immigration Services seeking financial assistance to address an emergency human service need pursuant to Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, is hereby approved.
Section 2. That the Director of the Department of Development be and is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Community Refugee and Immigration Services for program development and service delivery efforts for a one-year period.
Section 3. That the expenditures authorized herein are in accordance with Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $66,319.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Emergency Human Services Fund, Department of Development, Department No. 44-01, Fund 232, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 499043.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.