Title
Funding Request from the Implementation Committee of the Gainesville /Alachua County 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness to the City of Gainesville (B)
This is a request to provide partial funding in the amount of $15,000 for Specialized Workforce Services for Homeless Persons through FloridaWorks and authorizes the City Manager to negotiate an agreement between the City of Gainesville and FloridaWorks. The remaining funds are to be requested from Alachua County Government.
Explanation
In January 2006, FloridaWorks was awarded $125,000 to operate the "Workforce Services for Homeless Persons" grant. FloridaWorks partnered with multiple local service providers to expand services to address the needs and barriers homeless individuals face as they enter or re-enter the workforce and move towards self-sufficiency. This initial grant was very successful and has greatly enhanced services in our community. In October 2006, FloridaWorks was awarded the "Workforce Services for Target Group-Homeless Persons" grant in the amount of $200,000 to continue addressing the needs of homeless individuals and the efforts to help them attain self-sufficiency, which has resulted in positive outcomes. Unfortunately, there were no grant funds available for the 2007-2008 program year to continue targeted workforce services to individuals that are homeless. FloridaWorks would like to continue this valuable program through a partnership with the City of Gainesville and Alachua County. FloridaWorks is requesting: 1) $15,000 in funding from the City of Gainesville; and 2) $15,000 in funding from Alachua County.
This request will fund one position to continue this much-needed and effective program to help individuals and families who are in need to enter the workforce and attain self-sufficiency. Mayor Hanrahan and Commissioner Jack Donovan agreed to sponsor this request on behalf of the Implementation Committee. The Implementation Committee endorsed this funding request at its October 4, 2007, meeting.
Fiscal Note
The proposed request in the amount of $15,000 is not a budged item, and therefore, the funds must come from the City Commission's Contingency Fund. The proposed Agreement for Services would be from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the approval of $15,000 from the City Commission Contingency Fund for Workforce Services for the homeless and direct the City Manager to negotiate an agreement with FloridaWorks for services for the period of January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.
Alternative Recommendation A: The City Commission deny the approval of $15,000 from the City Commission Contingency Fund for Workforce Services for the homeless.