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 Y26-2011, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y26-2011, Provision of Community Services, with Redeeming Light Community Services, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $225,000 for a three-year term. ([Community and Family Services Department Citizens’ Commission for Children] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
This contract will provide funds for suspension prevention, intervention, and mentoring programming in West Orange County. Programming provides academic support, mentoring, and life skills training in a safe and structured environment to assist students suspended from school. Supervised by a dedicated team of adults, students will receive academic support from certified teachers, access to school assignments, and training in life and social skills.
The program includes evidence-based prevention practices and leadership education geared towards providing students the knowledge and skills to reduce their motivation to engage in risky behaviors and resist peer pressure to participate in such behaviors. Additionally, the program will emphasize parental and family involvement to create a collaborative support system for students’ success. 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 recommended Redeeming Light Community Services, Inc., to receive funding to provide these services. The Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) concurs with the funding recommendation. Redeeming Light Community Services, Inc. has previously been awarded funding by the CCC and has been continuously funded for various direct service programs, including suspension prevention, intervention, and mentoring since 2019. Redeeming Light Community Services, Inc. has demonstrated satisfactory compliance with prior contracts 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 approximately 100 unduplicated youth annually and providing an estimated 1,500 hours of direct service per contract year.
Redeeming Light Community Services, Inc.’s partnership and longevity with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) offers direct connections to district schools. OCPS’s Office of Access and Opportunity assists with increasing awareness among parents and other community members about voluntary public school choice options and suspension services available in their area. Additionally, the agency receives referrals from OCPS administrative staff for out-of-school suspended students. In addition, the agency participates in professional workshops, meetings, and community and faith-based events to maintain a continuum of services for program participants. Constituents may access services by contacting the agency directly, or by contacting the CCC for a referral.
In addition to marketing strategies employed by Redeeming Light Community Services, 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:
• 110 Athletes Row Suite 100, Apopka, FL 32703, in Commission District 2
This funding award is not inclusive of all suspension prevention, intervention, and mentoring programming funded by Orange County Government. A comprehensive listing of these supportive service programs currently funded by the CCC is attached. Location is not an indicator of eligibility for services. All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services.