Community Development CommissionSept. 14, 2021

Item2a_CSBG-Report-September-2021 — original pdf

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Community Services Block Grant Programmatic/Financial Report September 14, 2021 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 Categories 2021 Contract Budget Personnel Fringe Benefits Other Total $704,239.27 $387,277.37 $10,589.36 $1,102,106 Cumulative Expenditures as of 7/31/21 $348,572.26 $163,063.40 $0 $511,635.66 % of Total 50% 41% 0% 46% 1 SRV 3O 4 4E 4E 5 5B 5D 4C 4C 4I 5A 5JJ 7A 7B 7D 7N Austin Public Health Report on PY21 Community Action Plan Transition Out of Poverty Goal Goal Achieved TOP Individuals who transitioned out of poverty 43 0 Success Rate% 0% 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 July 2021 FNPI Outcome Description Target #Enrolled #Achieved Success Rate % Households who avoided eviction (CARES ACT) 1200 1292 1292 108% #Enrolled #Achieved Success Rate % 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 Service Description Tax Preparation Programs Rent Payments Rent Payments (Cares Act) Utility Payments Immunizations Food Distribution Case Management Eligibility Determinations Transportation Emergency Clothing 50 50 0 26 Number Served 111 23,385 1292 200 54 1244 8 490 0 23 3A.1 Total number of volunteer hours donated to the Agency Programmatic/Administrative Updates 1. Neighborhood Services Unit Vacancies – Currently, there are no vacancies in the NSU. 2. 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, 88.5% 2 2020. We continue to offer Food Pantry Curbside & HOPE Program by appt. only, Home Delivery Program, Emergency Rental assistance in collaboration with the Austin Area Urban League, Self-Sufficiency case management services and utility assistance through the Austin Energy Plus One program. 3. Home Delivery Program – In collaboration with the Central Texas Food Bank and Amazon, the NSU launched a home delivery program. Eligible individuals (Travis County Resident, “Low Income” and Target Population (Household with children 0-18 or Senior 60+) have begun signing up for monthly deliveries of pre-packed food boxes. Expanded eligibility in August to include individuals with a disability, Veterans and Active Military members. In July 314 Households/652 Individuals had food boxes delivered to their doorstep. 4. CARES ACT CSBG Funding - The Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs (TDHCA) has awarded the Neighborhood Services Unit CARES ACT CSBG funds with the purpose of assisting eligible clients with COVID-19 related needs such as rental assistance through December 31, 2021. In November we began working with the Austin Area Urban League to begin processing financial assistance payments for eligible clients. Through June we assisted 460 Households and processed $1,132,367.13 in rent assistance payments. 5. Austin Energy Plus 1 Program – Serious illness, a recent job loss, or a pandemic 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. We continue to assist clients with utility assistance using these funds. We received our FY22 Collaboration Agreement. 6. NSU Mission Statement – Mission: The Neighborhood Services Unit improves the lives and health of people experiencing poverty by providing public health and social services and connecting residents of Austin and Travis County to community resources. The Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs Organizational Standard 4.1 requires: The board has reviewed the Organization’s mission statement within the past 5 years and assured that: 1) The mission addresses poverty; and 2) The organization’s programs and services are in alignment with the mission. Success Story From one of our NSU Public Health nurses: “I had a success story from one of the COVID vaccine clinics I was working. The client came in uncertain about getting her vaccine. I spoke with her at length, answered her questions and addressed her concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine. She decided she would come back at another time, but came back after 30 minutes stating that she felt comfortable after thinking 3 through our conversation. This was before the delta variant started spreading so rapidly, so I’m really glad we were able to get her vaccinated that day.” 4