Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center (CRC) in an amount up to $50,000.00 to support the Family Services Program.
Millions in the United States struggle with the incessant distractions and anxieties of living in poverty as they seek to obtain basic necessities to provide for themselves and their families. Through its mission “to deliver responsive services, cultivate partnerships, and promote opportunities to foster a healthier community,” the CRC is able to provide some traction-assistance towards attaining those goals for any/all residents of the City of Columbus. This grant will address food insecurity throughout the City of Columbus by providing financial support for the CRC’s Family Services Program.
The Family Services Program (FSP) is one of three Programs supported through the Clintonville-Beechwold’s Community Resources Center (CRC). Food assistance, the crux of the Family Services Program, is provided - regardless of ZIP code - in the form of healthy, affordable, and local food sourced through the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, regional brick-and-mortar stores (e.g. Kroger, Target, Weiland’s, Bruegger’s Bagels, Lucky’s, etc), the Clintonville Farmers Market, and the CRC Community Garden. Sack lunches and “grab-and-go” meals are also provided. Albeit the crux, food assistance is but one of a bevy of other services provided by the Family Services Outreach Workers including, but not limited to, the following:
● Addressing healthcare barriers,
● Assistance with SNAP, HEAP, and MEDICAID benefits,
● Income assistance information,
● Financial assistance with mortgage, real estate taxes, rent, and utilities.
The Family Services Program staff includes a Licensed Social Worker who manages a “Crisis Desk.” This individual is able to address immediate, critical needs which may include domestic abuse situations, treatment referrals for drug/alcohol dependency, and emergency housing, among others.
Emergency action is necessary to avoid causing interruptions in the delivery of essential program services.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this expenditure is allocated from the Emergency Human Services Fund ($50,000.00).
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor number is 004371 and expires on 4/13/2023.
Title
To authorize the Director of Development to execute a grant agreement with Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, in an amount up to $50,000.00, to support the Family Services Program; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Emergency Human Services Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, millions in the United States struggle with the incessant distractions and anxieties of living in poverty as they seek to obtain basic necessities to provide for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center Family Services Program addresses several needs of those facing poverty through the provision of many services including food, income, and healthcare assistance; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development desires to enter into a grant agreement with Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center to support the Family Services Program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a grant agreement with Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center 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 from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the sum of $50,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2231 (Emergency Human Services Fund), Subfund 223125, Dept-Div 44-01 (Administration), in object class 03 (Services) per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center to support the Family Services Program in an amount up to $50,000.00.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $50,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 2231 (Emergency Human Services Fund), subfund 223125, Dept-Div 4401 (Administration) Object Class 03 (Services), per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance 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.