Item2a_CSBG_Report_November 2021 — original pdf

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Community Services Block Grant Programmatic/Financial Report November 9, 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. 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.  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 9/30/21 $448,014.14 $211,382.78 $0 $659,396.92 % of Total 64% 55% 0% 60% 1  SRV 3O 4 4E 4E 5 5B 5D 4C 4C 4I 5A 5JJ 7A 7B 7D 7N Transition Out of Poverty Goal Goal Achieved TOP Individuals who transitioned out of poverty 43 14 Success Rate% 33% Austin Public Health Report on PY21 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 November 2021 FNPI Outcome Description Target #Enrolled #Achieved Success Rate % Households who avoided eviction (CARES ACT) 1200 1,451 1,451 121% #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 49 Number Served 111 1,451 402 27,527 65 1,584 22 580 0 35 3A.1 Total number of volunteer hours donated to the Agency Programmatic/Administrative Updates 71% 2 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, 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. Fresh Foods For Families (FFFF) – The Neighborhood Centers in collaboration with the Central Texas Food Bank launched this program this month. Fresh Food For Families provides free monthly distributions of fruits, vegetables and other fresh foods to low- income families. These distributions supplement existing grocery budgets with much- needed nutritious foods. The events are drive-thru. 4. 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 August, 585 Households/1,780 Individuals had food boxes delivered to their doorstep. 5. 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 August we assisted 471 Households and processed $1,140,615.51 in rent assistance payments. 6. 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 have begun assisting clients with FY22 funds. Success Story In the words of one of our NSU Social Workers: My client is a young woman who was referred for Self-Sufficiency Case Management (SSCM) by the Central Texas Allied Health Institute (CTAHI). In February 2021 she began a training course in phlebotomy and completed it in April. Thereafter she began studying and took the 3 phlebotomy state certification test in May. She missed passing the 100-question exam by 5 points. She was pregnant this year and expecting to deliver her first baby in July. Her baby surprised her and was born in May. They were in the NICU for 3 weeks. Her baby is now almost 6 months old. Her plan is to begin to meet with a tutor from the Central Texas Allied Health Institute (CTAHI) so she can review material and prepare to take the certification test again. She is hard-working and determined to pass her exam so she can begin to work in her field. She has been in SSCM this year and has received the following support services: • Rent assistance ($2,580) • Gift cards for completing her training • Financial coaching • Referral to Workforce Solutions for childcare • 1 portable cribette; diapers/baby clothes • Referral for car seat • Food pantry assistance • Box fan 4