Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: September 30, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, FNIGP, 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 Y26-2009, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y26-2009, Provision of Community Services, with Let Your Voice Be Heard, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $150,000 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 youth violence prevention and intervention programming. Programming will be provided to address the urgent issue of youth violence and gang involvement in Orange County by identifying youth who are most at risk of engaging in or becoming victims of violence. The program aims to provide these youth with the tools, resources, and support necessary to make positive life choices, in a safe and supportive environment, through intensive mentorship, skill and leadership development, and community engagement. Let Your Voice Be Heard, Inc. (LYVBH) will leverage existing frameworks and community connections to create a comprehensive approach to youth violence prevention. The performance period is October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-2414-8610.
APPROVALS:
The Citizens’ Review Panel for Human Services (CRPHS) recommended LYVBH to receive funding to provide these services. The Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) concurs with the funding recommendation. LYVBH has been awarded funding from the CCC since September 2023 to provide credible messenger - crisis response services in Orange County. LYVBH has demonstrated satisfactory compliance with the prior contract awarded.
REMARKS:
Based on Citizens Safety Task Force recommendations, the CCC was charged with investing in research-based models proven to prevent violent crime. Youth violence prevention programs are vital for ensuring safety, supporting healthy youth development, and reducing long-term social and economic costs. These models include services such as mentoring and educational support, address root causes of violence, build life skills like conflict resolution and emotional regulation, and promote safer schools and communities.
The program estimates serving a minimum of 50 unduplicated youth and young adults annually and providing an estimated 1,367 hours of direct service per contract year.
LYVBH will conduct outreach and recruitment through partnership and collaboration with community and faith-based organizations, as well as the Department of Juvenile Justice to identify youth currently or previously involved in the criminal justice system. LYVBH will work closely with Orange County Public Schools to provide referrals based on behavioral and needs assessments. Additional strategies include utilization of established referral networks, community outreach and event participation, and social media and digital advertising.
In addition to marketing strategies employed by LYVBH, 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:
• 1436 19th St Orlando, FL 32805, in Commission District 6
This funding award and service location does not represent all youth violence prevention and intervention programming funded by Orange County Government. A total of four awards were recommended by the CRPHS for youth violence prevention and intervention programming. Additional contracts and locations of service are in development at this time. Service location is not an indicator of eligibility for services. All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services.