Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: November 20, 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 Y25-2056, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y25-2056, Provision of Community Services, with Volunteers for Community Impact, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $900,000 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 early literacy programming for youth, which will offer services to students from birth to kindergarten to enhance the early language, literacy, and early reading development of preschool age children, particularly those from low-income families, through strategies and professional development that are based on scientifically based reading research. 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 Volunteers for Community Impact, Inc. to receive funding to provide these services. The Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) concurs with the funding recommendation. Volunteers for Community Impact, Inc. has previously been awarded funding by the Citizens’ Commission for Children and has been funded to provide Early Literacy Programming through the Citizens’ Review Panel since July 2020.
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.
Research has shown that children with a strong foundation in literacy are more likely to excel in school and be lifelong learners. By exposing children to books, storytelling, and vocabulary-building activities early on, they are better equipped to navigate the complex world of language as they grow older. Additionally, early literacy programs can help foster a love of reading and learning in young children. By engaging children in interactive and engaging literacy activities, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards reading and education, resulting in long-lasting effects on their academic success and overall well-being.
Volunteers for Community Impact, Inc.’s “Older Teachers Teaching Early Readers”, or OTTER program, is an early literacy program serving children ages 0-5 through engaging small group activities to support the development of foundational literacy skills, including oral language, print awareness, alphabet knowledge, and phonological awareness. To reinforce home learning habits for school success, each child in the program will receive high-quality books along with family literacy guides so parents and caregivers can engage children in meaningful learning experiences at home. Priority preference will be given to residents residing in 32703, 32801, 32805, 32808, 32810, 32811, 32818, and 32822.
The program estimates serving 1,040 unduplicated residents and providing approximately 8,000 hours of direct service per contract year.
The agency’s outreach and recruitment plan for this program includes leveraging volunteers through various foster grandparent programs, and collaboration with various Head Start, VPK, and early learning centers for program implementation in the classroom.
In addition to marketing strategies employed by Volunteers for Community Impact, 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 locations:
• 445 W 13th St., Apopka, FL 32703, in Commission District 2
• 170 E. Magnolia St., Apopka, FL 32703, in Commission District 2
• 101 N. Parramore St., Orlando, FL 32801, in Commission District 6
• 2500 Bruton Blvd., Orlando, FL 32805, in Commission District 6
• 944 West Lake Mann Dr., Orlando, FL 32805, in Commission District 6
• 626 Lake Dot Cir, Orlando, FL 32801, in Commission District 6
• 644 Ferguson Drive, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32805, in Commission District 6
• 5151 Raleigh St., Orlando, FL 32811, in Commission District 6
• 5301 Cypress Creek Blvd., Orlando, FL 32811, in Commission District 6
• 6408 Jennings Road, Orlando, FL 32818, in Commission District 6
• 905 Dorscher Rd., Orlando, FL 32818, in Commission District 6
• 5225 South Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32822, in Commission District 3
• 4001 South Goldenrod Rd., Orlando, FL 32822, in Commission District 3
• 4400 Woodgate Blvd., Orlando, FL 32822, in Commission District 3
This funding award is not inclusive of all early literacy programming funded by Orange County Government. A comprehensive list of the early literacy programming currently funded through CCC is in the attached table. All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services.