Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: August 30, 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 Y25-2008, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y25-2008, Provision of Community Services, with Easter Seals Florida, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $300,000 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 Health, Recreational, and Support Programming for Seniors - East Orange County. Programming provides Orange County seniors the opportunity to socialize in a safe environment with a focus on individual health needs and overall function, promoting wellness in body and mind. The program will provide recreational, arts and physical fitness activities to senior residents of Orange County. Services will include, but not be limited to wellness classes, arts and crafts, dancing classes, potlucks, board games and nutritional counseling. 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 Easter Seals Florida, Inc. to receive funding to provide these services. The Health, Recreational, and Support Programming for Seniors - East Orange County is a unique Scope of Service, with only one program funded through the Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC). The CCC concurs with the funding recommendation.
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.
Programming will provide seniors with stimulating activities that promote wellness of both mind and body as part of a comprehensive approach to their overall health and well-being. Program activities are designed to engage seniors in physical, mental, and social activities that help to maintain cognitive function, improve physical health, and enhance emotional well-being. Being part of a community also gives seniors a sense of purpose and belonging; studies have shown that seniors who participate in programs involving social and wellness activities tend to stay healthier and happier as they age. These types of programs provide opportunities for older adults to socialize, stay active, and engage with others, which can help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, and can contribute to the prevention of chronic conditions such as heart disease and depression by keeping seniors physically active and mentally stimulated on a regular basis. The program estimates serving approximately 75 unduplicated residents and providing 600 group activities/classes per contract year.
Services will be provided at the East Orange Community Center, located at 12050 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32826, in Commission District 4.
All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services. Constituents may access services by visiting the East Orange Community Center, by contacting the agency directly, or by contacting the CCC directly. The agency’s outreach and recruitment plan for this program includes, but is not limited to, collaboration with OrangeTV to conduct interviews about programming, active and ongoing collaboration with Orange County’s Office on Aging, printed materials, local mailings, community partnership meetings and presentations, and social media.
In addition to Marketing Strategies employed by Easter Seals Florida, Inc., the CCC offers a comprehensive resource directory of all funded programming published on the CCC web page, located at www.ocfl.net/ccc. The CCC is currently working with Orange County’s 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.
Easter Seals Florida, Inc. has previously received funding from the CCC. Additionally, the agency was previously recommended for funding for the provision of Health, Recreational, and Support Programming for Seniors - East Orange County through Contract Y20-2053, for a three-year term from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2024. Under the current contract, the agency has met or exceeded contract deliverables, and has a satisfactory monitoring and performance evaluation on file.