Item 3_CSBG Program Report — original pdf

Backup

Community Services Block Grant Programmatic/Financial Report May 13, 2020 The Community Services Block Grant funds the delivery of services to low income Texas residents in all 254 counties. These funds support a variety of direct services in addition to helping maintain the core administrative elements of community action agencies. For the City of Austin, the grant provides funding for the delivery of basic needs, case management, preventive health and employment support services through the City’s six (6) Neighborhood Centers and the three (3) Outreach Sites. ◼ Basic Needs (food, clothing, information and referral, notary services, transportation, car safety education and car seats, tax preparation, Blue Santa applications, fans, Thanksgiving food baskets and other seasonal activities); ◼ Preventive Health (screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar including a1C, and cholesterol; pregnancy testing; health promotion presentations, coordination and participation in health fairs, immunizations, coordination of wellness activities, linkages to medical home providers and diabetes case management); ◼ Case Management (individual/family support counseling, advocacy, self-sufficiency case management, crisis intervention, linkages with employers, educational opportunities and training, and working with individuals on quality of life issues); ◼ Employment Support (intake, assessment and goal setting, job readiness training, job placement assistance, and job retention services) Expenditures 2020 Contract Cumulative % of Total Categories Budget Expenditures as of Personnel Fringe Benefits Other Total $693,764.20 $394,116.34 $14,225.46 $1,102,106 03/31/20 $54,711.63 $26,904.95 $0 $81,616.58 7.9% 6.8% 0% 7.4% 1  FNPI 1 1B 1C 1E 1H 2 2F 2H 4 4E 5 5B 5D 4C 4I 5A 5JJ 7A 7B 7D 7N Austin Public Health Report on PY19 Community Action Plan MISSION: To prevent disease, promote health, and protect the well-being of our community. TOP 5 NEEDS: Housing; Health; Employment; Basic Needs; Education Report Date March 31, 2020 Outcome Description Target #Enrolled #Achieved Success Rate % Employment Unemployed adults who obtained a job up to a living wage Unemployed adults obtained and maintained a job for at least 90 days (up to a living wage) Unemployed adults who obtained a job with a living wage 20 Employed participants in a career-advancement related program who entered or transitioned into a position with increased income and/or benefits Education and Cognitive Development Adults who demonstrated improved basic education Individuals who obtained a recognized credential, certificate or degree relating to the achievement of educational or vocational skills Housing Households who avoided eviction Health and Social/Behavioral Development Individuals who demonstrated improved physical health and well being Individuals who improved skills related to the adult role of parents/caregivers Rent Payments Utility Payments Immunizations Food Distribution Case Management Eligibility Determinations Transportation Emergency Clothing SRV 3O Tax Preparation Programs Service Description Number Served Target #Enrolled #Achieved Success Rate % Efficacy Rate: #Enrolled #Achieved Success Rate % 45 15 70 15 7 500 15 50 37 36 37 44 0 7 112 103 7 52 339 54 0 7,308 23 303 77 87 8 0 3 11 0 0 64 81 5 Efficacy Rate: Efficacy Rate: Efficacy Rate: 18% 22% 0% 15% 8% 16% 25% 0% 0% 13% 57% 79% 71% 2 Transition Out of Poverty Goal Goal Achieved TOP Individuals who transitioned out of poverty 43 21 Success Rate% 49% Programmatic/Administrative Updates 1. Neighborhood Services Unit Vacancies – Waiting on the COA’s Human Resources Department on approval to continue hiring process activities for the new Montopolis Neighborhood Center (Montopolis Recreation & Community Center). 6 positions. 2. Community Development Commission (CDC) Vacancy – The nomination/selection meeting scheduled for March 24, 2020 for the Blackland/Rosewood Zaragosa CDC vacancy was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. 3. Neighborhood Services – Due to the City of Austin’s COVID-19 response and safety measures our Neighborhood Centers were closed to the public at 6pm on March 16, 2020. In a very short time we have created and implemented alternative models to distribute Emergency Food boxes and Emergency Rental & Utilities Assistance. We have activated an Emergency Food Helpline and an Emergency Rental & Utilities Assistance Helpline. Through April, staff have assembled and delivered 2,056 emergency food bags. That adds up to 24,672 pounds of shelf stable foods! This effort has addressed the food insecurity needs of thousands of our most vulnerable City of Austin/Travis County residents. In April, Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance staff have assisted 937 Households with information/referral and/or rent/utility assistance services. 4. CARES ACT CSBG Funding - We have been informed by the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs TDHCA) that the Neighborhood Services Unit will be receiving CARES ACT CSBG funding with the purpose of assisting eligible clients with COVID-19 related needs such as rental assistance through September 30, 2022. We are working on submitting a simplified needs assessment per TDHCA request. 5. Austin Energy Plus 1 Program – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, We were awarded and additional $15,249.48 Plus1 funds, effective immediately. Serious illness, a recent job 3 loss, or other emergencies can make it difficult for some customers to pay their utility bills. The Plus 1 fund helps by providing emergency financial aid to customers who are having a temporary problem paying their utility bills. 6. Neighborhood Center Improvements – The construction of the new Montopolis Recreation and Community Center continues to make progress. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the grand opening has been moved to “late summer 2020.” 4 Art in Public Places artist Agustina Rodriguez's rendering of her design to be installed in the southeast corner of the new building. She draws her inspiration from the Montopolis Bridge's circular design. The intent is to "bridge Montopolis to the rest of Austin." - AR The City of Austin voters approved a proposition by Austin Public Health (APH) as part of the 2018 Bond Election to build a new neighborhood center with public health services. The Dove Springs Public Health Facility will house a fully staffed Neighborhood Center. The NC will be operated by APH staff including a program manager, community workers, social worker, and a full-time nurse. Services will include self-sufficiency case management, food pantry and other food distributions, assistance applying for benefits, health screenings, flu shots, clothes closet, referrals to other services, and baskets for special events like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a goal of the project team to incorporate as many green features as possible including solar panels, rainwater collection, pervious parking and sidewalks, grass-pave pervious fire lane, rain gardens and collection of condensate water. Council approved a resolution requiring that LEED-Silver certification is achieved using the latest applicable version of LEED. DSPHF Update: The facility has an official address: 5811 Palo Blanco Lane. Success Story This month I would like to highlight the work of the Neighborhood Services Unit (NSU) staff during this pandemic. The NSU staff have worked tirelessly since we were ordered to close our Neighborhood Centers to the public due to the escalating COVID-19 situation. Their strong efforts, leadership and strength as we create alternative models for delivering basic needs services has been admirable. Our goal in the NSU has always been to help individuals in times of crisis. That goal has not changed. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to change our methods but nor our hearts. On March 16, 2020 we closed our Neighborhood Centers to the public. But in a few short weeks, we have adapted and are now delivering emergency food packages to some of our most vulnerable residents. We have also created and implemented an alternative model to deliver Rent & Utilities Assistance to those individuals impacted financially by COVID-19. All of this has been a team effort. Everyone in the NSU regardless of discipline or title has risen to the challenge while balancing their own anxiety, fear of exposure and family needs. 5 The Neighborhood Services Unit will continue to operate and be there for those individuals who need to access our services. 6