Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: December 6, 2024
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, CFCM, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., Manager II, Procurement Division
CONTACT: Angela Chestang, Manager, Citizens’ Commission for Children Division
PHONE: 407-836-6541
SUBJECT: Approval of Contract Y25-2038, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y25-2038, Provision of Community Services, with Future Leaders Community Development Corporation, Inc., in the total contract amount of $450,000 for a three-year term. ([Community and Family Services Department Citizens’ Commission for Children Division] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
This contract will provide funds for reading and math coaching, which will assist students in kindergarten through eighth grade who are struggling with reading and mathematics to improve their skills in the identified areas of weakness. The goal of the program is to prepare students for gains in the classroom and standardized assessments to increase student promotion and increase graduation rates. The performance period is January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-2556-8610.
APPROVALS:
The Citizens’ Review Panel for Human Services recommended Future Leaders Community Development Corporation, Inc. to receive funding to provide these services. The Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) concurs with the funding recommendation. Future Leaders Community Development Corporation, Inc. has previously received funding from the CCC for various competitively awarded programs, since March 2017.
REMARKS:
In accordance with the Code of Ordinances, Part 1, Chapter 17, Article III, Section 17-286 - Application and Exclusions, agreements between the Board and nonprofit organizations are excluded from competitive procurement requirements.
As foundational subjects, reading and math skills form the basis of academic success across all disciplines. Proficiency in reading allows students to comprehend instructions, gather information, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Math proficiency, on the other hand, equips students with critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and logical reasoning that are essential for success in various real-world scenarios. Additionally, strong reading and math skills are crucial for higher education pursuits as they open doors to more advanced subject areas such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Reading programming will focus on increasing students’ reading levels as early as kindergarten through second grade, to ensure students are at the appropriate level of skill in third grade and beyond. Math programming will focus on increasing students’ math levels as early as kindergarten through seventh grade, to ensure students are at the appropriate level of skill in eighth grade and beyond. High yield learning activities will promote an improvement in skills in the identified areas of weakness. Priority preference will be given to Orange County citizens residing in 32808, 32810, 32811, 32818, and 32822.
The program estimates serving 240 unduplicated residents annually and providing approximately 4,960 hours of direct service per contract year.
Services can be accessed by contacting the agency directly to register for programming, or by contacting the CCC for referral. Programming is advertised through social media, word-of-mouth, referrals from school guidance counselors or teachers, and through collaboration with Orange County Public Schools and various other community and faith-based organizations.
In addition to marketing strategies employed by Future Leaders Community Development Corporation, Inc., the CCC offers a comprehensive resource directory of all funded programming published on the CCC web page, located at www.ocfl.net/ccc <http://www.ocfl.net/ccc>. Through this directory, constituents may search for funded services within a specific distance of their home, place of work, or other address of significance.
Additionally, the CCC has contracted community engagement specialists, located primarily in east and west Orange County, for service delivery to benefit citizens with an emphasis on maintaining contact with community groups, parents, and other caregivers, providing support to residents, as well as evaluating and responding to community needs concerning children. The CCC also employs a part-time community ambassador, whose role is primarily to engage with civic, law enforcement, and community groups to market services and to stay connected with the various community groups throughout Orange County.
Finally, the CCC maintains an electronic e-mail distribution database, and distributes shared resources and information submitted by community non-profits monthly. This method allows funded and non-funded service providers the opportunity to learn about services, events, or special projects that may benefit the community at large.
Services will primarily be provided at the following location:
• 1733 Mercy Drive, Orlando, FL 32808, in Commission District 6
• 1808 E Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32803, in Commission District 5
This funding award is not inclusive of all reading/math coaching for youth funded by Orange County Government. A comprehensive list of additional reading/math coaching programming funded through the CCC is provided as an attachment to this request. All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services.