Explanation
Background
In 2014, the White House, under President Barack Obama, launched the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. Through this initiative, the Administration called on cities, businesses, and foundations to take important steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and help them gain the skills they need to find a good job or go to college and work their way into the middle class. The milestones associated with the My Brother’s Keeper initiative include having young people enter school ready to learn, reading at grade level by third grade, graduating from high school ready for college, completing post-secondary education or training, successfully entering the workforce, and providing a second chance to those with past criminal offenses. In responding to the call to action, the Department of Neighborhoods established the My Brother’s Keeper Village to be the hub of all work throughout the City of Columbus.
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unforeseen challenges related to virtual learning. My Brother’s Keeper partnerships with the non-profit agencies funded as part of this legislation will launch an engaging and interactive online and in-person Back to School Campaign called “BOOST (Building Optimism & Opportunities for a Successful Transition) Campaign.” This campaign is intended to serve as a way to provide Central Ohio young male students of color with academic support, resources and nourishment during the shift to online learning.
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into grant agreements with the African American Male Wellness Walk, Community for New Directions, Community Refugee, and Immigrant Services, The Columbus Urban League, IMPACT Community Action and Legacy U in an amount up to $392,000.00 to add needed academic support services during COVID-19 for boys and young men of color and to authorize the expenditure in the amount up to $392,000.00 from the CARES Fund 2207.
The services included in this contract cannot be provided by existing city employees because these services are beyond the City’s current responsibility and capacity to provide.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested to ensure that academic support is provided to boys and young men of color as new the remote school year begins.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is provided to the City of Columbus from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Fund Act passed by Congress and signed into law March 27, 2020.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: the vendor’s vendor number is
Community for New Directions 005361 and is valid from 8/24/2020-8/24/2022
IMPACT Community Action 006073 and is valid from 4/24/20-4/24/2022
Legacy U 032877 and is valid from 7/1/2020-7/1/20222
Columbus Urban League 006073 and is valid from 4/24/20-4/24/2022
Community Refugee and Immigrant Services 005773 and is valid from 6/17/2019-6/17/2021
African American Male Wellness 008384 and is pending
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods to enter into grant agreements with the African American Male Wellness Walk, Community for New Directions, Community Refugee and Immigrant Services, The Columbus Urban League, IMPACT Community Action, and Legacy U in a total amount of up to $392,000.00 to add needed capacity to address COVID-19 specific services for boys and young men of color; to authorize the expenditure of the related expenses starting March 1, 2020 in an amount up to $392,000.00 from the CARES Act Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($392,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unforeseen needs within the population of boys and young men of color; and
WHEREAS, the federal CARES Act has provided additional resources for states and cities across the country to address community needs as a result of the COVID outbreak; and
WHEREAS, MBK grants financially support programs that have shown success in one of the four categories the Kirwan Institute identified as contributing to youth vulnerability: economics, safety, education, and health; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council are committed to the mission and work of My Brother’s Keeper; and,
WHEREAS, the expenditure of CARES Act funding is necessary to address unforeseen educational needs within the population of boys and young men of color caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Neighborhoods in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement with the African American Male Wellness Walk, Community for New Directions, Community Refugee, and Immigrant Services, The Columbus Urban League, IMPACT Community Action and Legacy U to allow it to begin providing additional educational COVID-19 specific services to its members and the nonprofit sector; and,
WHEREAS, such expenditure of funds has not been previously accounted for in the 2020 Budget; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods is hereby authorized to enter into grant agreements with the African American Male Wellness Walk, Community for New Directions, Community Refugee and Immigrant Services, The Columbus Urban League, IMPACT Community Action, and Legacy U to allow the organizations to provide additional COVID-19 specific services to its members in the nonprofit sector in a total amount of up to $392,000.00 effective March 1, 2020.
SECTION 2: That the expenditure of $392,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 2207 (CARES Act Fund), Dept-Div 48-01, in object class 03 (Services) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
African American Male Wellness Walk $25,000
Community for New Directions $142,000
Community Refugee, and Immigrant Services $25,000
The Columbus Urban League $25,000
IMPACT Community Action $70,000
Legacy U $105,000
SECTION 3: 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 4: 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 legislation.
SECTION 5: That these agreements are awarded pursuant to the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to the process for awarding not-for-profit service agreements.
SECTION 6: That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.