Explanation
This ordinance authorizes a grant agreement with Directions for Youth and Families (DYF) in support of their COVID-19 outreach efforts to black girls.
DYF works with Black Girls in their homes and in their communities. Telehealth can work for some, but many girls do not have the hardware or data plans to support this service. DYF began to open up an outreach service delivery model while taking major precautions due to COVID-19 and meet the needs of the Black Girls DYF serves, particularly in the Kimberly Parkway area (43232), Ohio Ave area (43205) and Weiland Park (43201). DYF’s mental health counseling, teen parent program and kindergarten readiness programs serve primarily Black Girls in each of these communities. Access to services is limited for black girls, and supplies are needed for them and their children during this pandemic that have the potential for negative health outcomes if not received. DYF has been dropping off care packages with diapers, formula, sanitizers, masks, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, supplies needed for counseling sessions and many other resources to address the high needs. During this pandemic, DYF’s request for services has outpaced the ability to deliver, and agency losses due to COVID have not allowed DYF to increase staffing to reach girls.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the CARES Act fund.
Emergency action is requested to avoid any delay in providing the resources necessary to respond to the increased demand as a function of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Directions for Youth and Families (DYF) in support of their COVID-19 outreach efforts to black girls; to authorize a transfer of appropriations; to authorize an expenditure; and to declare an emergency. ($75,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Directions for Youth and Families works with Black Girls in their homes and in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Directions for Youth and Families began to open up an outreach service delivery model while taking major precautions due to COVID-19 and meet the needs of the Black Girls DYF serves; and
WHEREAS, the agency’s request for services has outpaced the ability to deliver, and agency losses due to COVID have not allowed the organization to increase staffing to reach girls; and
WHEREAS, this funding will allow Directions for Youth and Families to supplement their service delivery at a critical time; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased demand for services by Directions for Youth and Families; and
WHEREAS, expenditure of CARES Act funding to support Directions for Youth and Families is necessary to address the elevated demand caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Directions for Youth and Families to supplement their service delivery at a critical time, for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Directions for Youth and Families (DYF) in support of their COVID-19 outreach efforts to black girls.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer appropriations within the CARES Act fund, fund 2207, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $75,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized 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 for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.