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 Y26-2008, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y26-2008, Provision of Community Services, with L.O.V.E. Our Youth, Inc., in the total contract award 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 youth violence prevention and intervention programming. Programming will provide year-round prevention, intervention, and academic programming for Orange County youth and will incorporate activities to foster parental involvement, positive decision making, community attachment, academics, and future career success. Programming will focus on reducing youth risk factors associated with delinquency, substance use/abuse, family dysfunction, negative peer interactions, and school failure. The goal of the program is to encourage youth to practice sound decision-making and work to develop positive interactions with peers and authority figures, which ultimately demonstrates leadership and social responsibility. 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 L.O.V.E. Our Youth, Inc. to receive funding to provide these services. The Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) concurs with the funding recommendation. L.O.V.E. Our Youth, Inc. has previously been awarded funding from the CCC since September 2023 to provide out-of-school programming for youth. L.O.V.E. Our Youth, Inc. has demonstrated satisfactory compliance with prior contracts awarded.
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 75 unduplicated youth and young adults annually and providing an estimated 5,555 hours of direct service per contract year.
L.O.V.E. Our Youth, Inc.’s primary source for recruitment will be through working relationships with the local schools’ principals and administrative staff, who will assist with identifying students that are at-risk for negative behaviors and in need of academic resources. Additional outreach strategies include connecting with parents at local sports leagues, collaboration with community-based organizations, distribution of flyers, and social media 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 L.O.V.E. Our Youth, 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:
• 13000 Avalon Lake Dr. Suite 207 Orlando, FL 32828, in Commission District 4
• 3801 Avalon Park E Blvd Ste 200, Orlando, FL 32828, in Commission District 4
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.