Item3-CDC CSBG Report January 2024 — original pdf

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Community Services Block Grant Programmatic/Financial Report January 9, 2024 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 two (2) 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, 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 2023 Contract Budget % of Total Cumulative Expenditures as of 11/30/23 Personnel Fringe Benefits Other Total $1,129,404.00 $451,430.26 $225,250.98 $581.18 $677,262.42 60% 1  4 4E 5 5B 5D 4C 4I 5A 5JJ 7A 7B 7D 7N Transition Out of Poverty Goal Goal Achieved TOP Individuals who transitioned out of poverty 43 26 Success Rate% 60% Austin Public Health Report on PY23 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 2023 FNPI Outcome Description Target #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 400 10 25 410 0 104 SRV 3O Service Description Tax Preparation Programs Number Served 317 410 A Year Ago #Enrolled #Achieved Success Rate % Rent Payments Utility Payments Immunizations Food Distribution Case Management Eligibility Determinations Transportation Emergency Clothing 3A.1 Total number of volunteer hours donated to the Agency Programmatic/Administrative Updates 72,276 168 355 151 810 146 1,151 1,924 1. Neighborhood Services – We offer Basic Needs including Food Help, Emergency Rental assistance in collaboration with Catholic Charities of Central Texas, Utility Assistance, Self-Sufficiency Case Management services, Bus Passes, Health Screenings, Information & Referrals, and Seasonal Services* at our six Neighborhood Centers. 410 0 62 99 216 30,378 103% 248% 2 *Child Safety Seats, Fans and Income Tax filing. 2. Fresh Foods For Families (FFFF) – The Neighborhood Centers in collaboration with the Central Texas Food Bank holds Fresh Food For Families events that provide 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 walk-thru or drive-thru. 3. COVID-19 Test Kits – Every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home by visiting covid.gov/tests. Free rapid antigen test kits are available at APH Neighborhood Centers while supplies last. 4. Home Delivery Program – In collaboration with the Central Texas Food Bank and Amazon, the NSU offer a home delivery food program. Eligible individuals (Travis County Residents, “Low Income,” Target Population (Household with children 0-18 or Senior 60+), Individuals with a disability, Veterans and Active Military members) can sign up to receive a box of shelf stable foods monthly. Since launching the program in June of 2022 over 50,000 deliveries have been made. 5. Community Needs Assessment - Community Needs Assessments are an integral part of a Subrecipient’s planning and are to be used to set the direction for their work. Section 676(b)(11), of the CSBG Act states “...an assurance that the State will secure from each eligible entity in the State…a community action plan…that includes a community needs assessment for the community served. Woollard Nichols Torres Consulting will be conducting the needs assessment for the Neighborhood Services Unit. Our grantor, the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs, requires this be done every 3 years. 6. KXAN Story – On December 28th KXAN ran a story on the 5 O’ Clock news highlighting our services. They highlighted our food distribution events in 2023 and the increase in the people we served compared to 2022. Through October of this year, Neighborhood Centers have served more than 64,000 people at food distribution events. Through that same time frame, in 2022, 26,694 people were served. This year's increased outreach highlights a growing issue of food insecurity in our communities, pointing to the importance of collaborative efforts to address this pressing concern. 7. COA Financial Stability Funding – In partnership with Catholic Charities of Central Texas, the Neighborhood Services Unit provides rental assistance to clients facing a crisis that puts their housing at risk. From Jan 1st – November 30th we assisted 410 people. 3 8. Austin Energy Plus 1 Program – Serious illness, a recent job loss, or the 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. 9. NSU Public Health Nursing - The Neighborhood Services nurses are offering free health screenings at the Neighborhood Centers. Services included: blood pressure screenings, blood sugar screenings, cholesterol screenings, health education, hemoglobin A1c, pregnancy tests, and general health information & resources. 10. Self-Sufficiency Case Management Services – The Neighborhood Services Unit social workers help clients reenter the world of work, connecting them with resources, agencies, and training opportunities; including assistance with housing stability, basic needs, and public transportation. 11. Dove Springs Neighborhood Center Update - In partnership with the City of Austin Public Health Department (APH), Austin Public Works will be managing the construction of the Dove Springs Public Health Facility in Southeast Austin (5811 Palo Blanco Lane, Austin, TX 78744) to address the needs identified by the community and City Council in 2018. The new two-story facility is funded by the 2018 Bond Election and will consist of a Neighborhood Center, Food Pantry, WIC and Immunization programs, and a High-Quality Child Care Center. Work progress onsite: • Structural steel framing work progressed very quickly due to favorable weather conditions. pictures above. • Roof decks are installed over both sections of the building as shown in the • Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work is ongoing inside the building. The transformer for the building’s permanent power was installed. 4  Building’s view from the park. 5