Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Choice Network, Inc., a non-profit corporation, in support of its JustChoice family planning and assistance programming.
JustChoice addresses unplanned pregnancies, economic disparities, and community support in Franklin County. Its evidence-based approach targets well-being for individuals and communities. It is focused on those with unplanned pregnancies and challenging parenting situations, addressing root causes of economic instability and child welfare involvement. JustChoice provides all-options counseling, reducing economic strain, with the goal of serving 10,500 individuals annually. Funding will also go to supporting 25 families annually in creating centered adoption plans, assisting 350 clients annually through case management for family stability, and preventing 50 children annually from entering the system through enhanced family support.
This funding will help allow for continued operation of this the JustChoice programming, and City Council is proposing $70,000.00 for this operational support and purpose. The grant agreement shall run from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Funding Reimbursement of qualifying expenses incurred prior to the passage of this legislation is necessary to be able to reimburse Choice Network for the those qualifying expenses incurred as of the beginning of the grant term starting July 1,2025 1st.
FISCAL IMPACT: $70,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: An Emergency designation action is requested in order to provide for Choice Network, Inc. with funding to serve the additional capacity of families and children in need of planning and assistance operations.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with the Choice Network in support of its JustChoice family planning and assistance programming; to authorize the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order; to authorize an appropriation of $55,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the expenditure of $70,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency ($70,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is need to provide support and resources to our City’s vulnerable pregnant women and children; and
WHEREAS, Choice Network, Inc., a non-profit corporation, through its JustChoice programming addresses unplanned pregnancies, economic disparities, and community support in Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, Council is proposing operational support in the amount of $70,000.00 in to support of the JustChoice family planning and assistance programming; and
WHEREAS, $70,000.00 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's Office in that it is immediately necessary for the Clerk to enter into a grant agreement immediately with Choice Network, Inc. to provide operational support of the JustChoice family planning and assistance programming to ensure that it can serve the additional capacity of families and children in need during the grant period which began on July 1, 2025, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Choice Network, Inc., a non-profit corporation, for the grant term from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 in support of its JustChoice family planning and assistance programming, to and the City Clerk is authorized to reimburse the reimbursement of qualifying expenses incurred prior to the creation of the purchase order, and to set the grant term as July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $55,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus City Council per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $70,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed pursuant to the action authorized in SECTION 1, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. 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.