Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: September 13, 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 Y25-2007, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y25-2007, Provision of Community Services, with Cornerstone Connections, Inc., in the total contract amount of $225,000 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 employment and job readiness in support of the Engelwood Neighborhood Center for Families (NCF). Programming will provide year-round employability skills and job placement services to Orange County residents who are unemployed or under-employed. The program will provide participants with comprehensive case management to enable them to become job-ready and/or employed. The performance period is October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-0404-8610.
APPROVALS:
The Citizens’ Review Panel for Human Services recommended Cornerstone Connections, Inc. to receive funding to provide these services. The Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) concurs with the funding recommendation. Cornerstone Connections, Inc. has previously been awarded funding by the CCC and has been working with the Division as a service provider since October 2023.
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.
Job placement services play a crucial role in the employment ecosystem. For job seekers, these services provide valuable support such as resume building, interview coaching, and access to job listings that might not be widely advertised. They also often offer personalized advice based on the individual's skills and career goals. Additionally, job placement services help streamline the job search process for both the job seeker as well as the employer, making the process more efficient and effective. The program estimates serving 200 unduplicated residents and providing approximately 1,339 hours of direct service per Contract Year.
The agency’s outreach and recruitment plan for this program includes working collaboratively with the NCFs to obtain referrals, conducting outreach activities in the community, and networking with schools, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders. Constituents may also access services via walk-in, or by contacting the agency or the NCF directly.
In addition to marketing strategies employed by Cornerstone Connections, 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>. The CCC is currently working with the Communications Division on improved functionality of the directory, allowing for constituents to search for services within a specific distance of their home, place of work, or other address of significance. The updates are in the final stages of testing and will ultimately result in an improved experience for residents seeking services.
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:
• Engelwood NCF, 5985 La Costa Drive, Orlando, Florida 32807, in Commission
District 3
This funding award is not inclusive of all employment and job readiness programming funded by Orange County Government. A comprehensive list of the employment and job readiness programming funded through the CCC is provided below. All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services. Please see attached table.