Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to provide grant assistance to various social service organizations for the provision of services as described below. These funds will support program activities for a twelve-month period for a total amount of $300,000.
Physicians CareConnection - $30,000
Funds will assist in providing for patient primary care through free clinics, specialty care for the uninsured, dental care, linkage to insurance and care coordination.
HandsOn Central Ohio - $30,000
Funds will help procure a new phone system to improve and increase call volume, increase referral services and save monthly phone expenses.
Alvis House - $100,000
Funds will support the Community Empowering Change Program, which allows those involved in the criminal justice system to access job readiness services, case management and support, self-employment training and peer-to-peer mentoring.
Goodwill Columbus - $55,000
Funds will assist the re-entry program to assist those with criminal justice histories obtain employment through work readiness programs, paid transitional work and job development/coaching activities.
United Way of Central Ohio - $10,000
Funds will support the Tax Time effort (formerly known as the EITC Program) by connecting qualified households to financial education and savings opportunities and enable families to claim tax deductions and tax credits.
Columbus Early Learning Centers - $25,000
Funding will assist families with special "step up" scholarships from publicly funded child care subsidies by assisting those that marginally exceed the 125% federal poverty level.
Legal Aid Society of Columbus - $50,000
Funds will be used to provide legal assistance to women with children and that are victims of domestic violence by expanding legal clinics, civil protection orders, advice and counsel for post-separation and other civil needs.
This legislation represents programs funded following Columbus City Council's and the Office of the Mayor's Pilot Program application process. The legislation targets social service agencies that will provide help to the working poor and offender reentry population. 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.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are allocated from the FY2013 Emergency Human Services Fund.
Title
To approve the grant applications of various social service agencies seeking financial assistance to address emergency human services needs pursuant to Columbus City Codes, 1959; to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to provide grant assistance to various social service agencies to address and provide for multiple human service needs; to authorize the transfer of $300,000.00 within the Emergency Human Services Fund; to authorize the expenditure of $300,000.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund . ($300,000.00) ; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, various organizations have submitted applications seeking financial assistance to address emergency human services needs; and
WHEREAS, the City has reviewed the applications and hereby declares that the agencies have articulated a need for funds that is sufficient to justify approval of said agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to execute grant agreements with the various agencies to support social service programs using funds from the Emergency Human Services Fund; and
WHEREAS, this legislation represents programs funded following Columbus City Council's and the Office of the Mayor's Pilot Program application process for Emergency Human Services Funds; and
WHEREAS, the legislation targets social service agencies that will provide help to the working poor and offender reentry population. In addition, the City supports programs and activities so that the greater population is assured access to other community assistance; and
WHEREAS, this funding will allow the process to continue much needed services; now, therefore and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to execute grant agreements with the various agencies to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of vital 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 applications of Physicians CareConnection, HandsOn Central Ohio, Alvis House, Goodwill Columbus, United Way of Central Ohio, Columbus Early Learning Centers and Legal Aid Society of Columbus, seeking financial assistance to address emergency human service needs pursuant to Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, are hereby approved.
Section 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized and directed to provide emergency grant assistance totaling $300,000.00 to the following agencies for the provision of critical social services for a one year period and for the amounts indicated:
Agency / Amount
Physicians CareConnection / $30,000.00
HandsOn Central Ohio / $30,000.00
Alvis House / $100,000.00
Goodwill Columbus / $55,000.00
United Way of Central Ohio / $10,000.00
Columbus Early Learning Centers / $25,000.00
Legal Aid Society of Columbus / $50,000.00
TOTAL: $300,000.00
Section 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $300,000.00 within the Emergency Human Services Fund, Fund 232 from the Department of Finance & Management, Department/Division 45-50, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA 455321 to the Department of Development, Administration Division, Division No. 44-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA 499043.
Section 4. That for the purpose as stated in Section 2, the expenditure of $300,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be expended from the Emergency Human Services Fund, Fund 232, Department of Development, Department/Division No. 44-01, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3337, OCA Code 499043.
Section 5. That the expenditures authorized herein are in accordance with Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for any contract or contract modification associated with the expenditure of the funds in Section 3 above.
Section 7. Payments are expressly contingent upon the availability of sufficient monies in the Emergency Human Services Fund to cover the obligation set forth in this contract and in no case shall payments exceed available cash in this fund. In this event that there is not sufficient cash in the fund to cover the obligation set forth in this contract, the City Auditor shall have the authority to make all necessary adjustments at his discretion.
Section 8. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
Section 9. 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. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.