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 Y26-2010, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y26-2010, Provision of Community Services, with My Coping Lab, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $225,000 for a three-year term. ([Community and Family Services Department Citizens’ Commission for Children Department] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
This contract will provide funds for youth violence prevention and intervention programming. Programming will focus on equipping participants with practical coping mechanisms through hands-on experiential learning in a safe, structured, and trauma-informed environment where children and teens can engage in guided activities that help them recognize, process, and manage emotions in a healthy way. The program model will integrate interactive healing labs, skill-based workshops, crisis prevention, and intervention support, as well as parental support.
With an emphasis on innovative and evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, art and music therapy, trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, and the unique Active Healing Therapy framework, the program will help youth build emotional regulation, resilience, and self-awareness. 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 My Coping Lab, Inc., to receive funding to provide these services. The Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) concurs with the funding recommendation. My Coping Lab, Inc. has not previously received funding from the CCC.
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 80 unduplicated youth and young adults annually and providing an estimated 3,456 hours of direct service per contract year.
My Coping Lab, Inc. has a multi-tiered outreach strategy including school and community partnerships, collaboration with Orange County Public Schools to identify students with emotional or behavioral needs, and hosting community engagement events. Additional marketing efforts include social media and digital marketing campaigns. Constituents may access services by contacting the agency directly or by contacting the CCC for a referral.
In addition to marketing strategies employed by My Coping Lab, 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:
• 4065 L B McCleod Road, Orlando, FL 32811, in Commission District 6
• 4071 L B McCleod Road, Orlando, FL 32811, 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.