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 Y25-2055, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y25-2055, Provision of Community Services, with U.S. Dream Academy, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $200,000 for a two-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 innovation programming for youth - District 6, which will include an innovative Global Leadership Program (GLP), a five-tiered leadership development initiative with a series of goals, including those chosen by program participants. Progression through GLP offers increasing levels of responsibility at the program, school and community level, including service-learning opportunities. Additionally, programming will include a mentorship component teaching core components such as belief, introspection, trust, love and respect, health, healthy relationships, and overcoming fear. The performance period is January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-2556-8610.
APPROVALS:
The Citizens’ Review Panel for Human Services recommended U.S. Dream Academy, Inc. to receive funding to provide these services. The Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) concurs with the funding recommendation. U.S. Dream Academy, Inc. has previously been awarded funding by the Citizens’ Commission for Children Division, with a prior performance period of July 2020 through December 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.
U.S. Dream Academy, Inc.’s culturally grounded, healing-centered engagement connects youth in grades 2 -12 to holistic after school programming and structured mentoring that builds and strengthens developmental assets that help young people thrive and create new pathways to success.
In addition to mentoring and GLP, programming provides an innovative program approach by reimagining what it means to explore skill building, character building, and dream building for the youth of the 21st century. Within these three pillars, U.S. Dream Academy, Inc., has developed a comprehensive and strategic approach to the seven different learning styles (visual, kinesthetic, aural, social, solitary, verbal, and logical) that incorporates a dynamic and inspiring understanding of how youth can successfully navigate the ever-changing world in which they live.
The program estimates serving 100 unduplicated residents and providing approximately 4,291 hours of direct service per contract year.
Program participants are recruited with collaboration with Memorial Middle School staff and families through back-to-school events, flyers and print materials, word of mouth, and staff referral of students with academic, behavioral and/or absenteeism issues, or other identified needs. Additional outreach and recruitment is conducted through social media and collaboration with other community organizations.
In addition to marketing strategies employed by U.S. Dream Academy, 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:
• 2220 29th St., Orlando, FL 32805, in Commission District 6
Innovation programming for youth is competitively funded in each Orange County Commission District. The goal of this category of funding is that the programming is unique and not currently funded through CCC. A comprehensive list of the innovation programming funded through CCC, current and proposed, is in the attachment. All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services.