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 Y25-2060, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y25-2060, Provision of Community Services, with Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $1,500,000 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 childcare for survivors of domestic violence (DV) and homeless or precariously housed families. Programming will include childcare for homeless families and DV survivors with children, ages birth to 12, in an effort to minimize barriers to achieving self-sufficiency. Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc. will provide these vulnerable families with childcare subsidies for a maximum of one year. The direct reimbursable amount shall be 100% of the cost of care, including registration fees, late fees and/or overages, if applicable.
Referrals for childcare will be initiated by the Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) approved DV and homeless services providers in Orange County. The performance period is January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-2556-8610.
APPROVALS:
The CCC concurs with the funding recommendation. Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc., has previously been awarded funding by the CCC for this programming.
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.
Since the launch of the DV childcare program in 2023, the program has demonstrated success with ensuring individuals who participate in the program are able to leave their abusers and establish a life in which they’re able to be self-sufficient and live in an environment where they feel safe and their children are able to thrive.
The initial projected need for the DV childcare program was $500,000 annually based on program referrals from four CCC approved DV service providers. The pilot period resulted in referrals being received from only two of the four approved providers. As the two-year pilot is nearing its conclusion, the CCC estimated the need to be approximately $350,000 for this program based on actual and projected spending.
Based on the utilization ascertained from the pilot project, the CCC is proposing to expand the programming to meet the needs of another highly vulnerable population in Orange County: homeless or precariously housed families.
The 2024 Homeless Point-in-Time Count documented an 86% increase in unsheltered homelessness in the past year. Removing childcare barriers for homeless families is a crucial step towards improving their opportunities for self-sufficiency. Without access to affordable and reliable childcare, homeless parents face significant challenges in securing and maintaining employment, attending job training programs, or pursuing educational opportunities. This can lead to increased employment opportunities, higher earning potential, and ultimately breaking the cycle of homelessness.
The childcare for homeless or precariously housed families program will offer childcare for homeless or precariously housed families with children, ages birth to 12 years, with an initiating referral from approved Homeless Services providers, to include, but not be limited to, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc., Samaritan Resource Center, Inc., and the Orange County Mental Health and Homelessness Division. Eligibility will be limited to families enrolled in an approved vocational training program.
Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc. has been integral in the collaborative development of the pilot DV childcare program design, including development of referral processes and documentation to ensure client confidentiality, service provider training and ongoing technical assistance. Vulnerable families are provided with childcare subsidies for a maximum of one year, with many families currently being served. Disruption in childcare services could have a negative impact on survivors' ability to remain free from their abuser and maintain their journey towards independence and self-sufficiency. Therefore, approval is requested to continue service delivery with Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc. to ensure continuity of services.
The programs estimate serving approximately 50 to 75 unduplicated residents per contract year. This range is an approximation based on the variances in the cost of childcare, including primary variables such as age, credentials of the childcare facility, full-time versus part-time care.
Outreach and recruitment for these programs will be conducted through the Agency initiating the referral. Approved DV and homeless services providers will conduct assessments to ensure families referred to these programs do not otherwise have access to childcare. Constituents receiving services from the following organizations may have access to services:
• DV childcare: Nuevo Sendero, Inc., Stand Up Survivor, Inc., Harbor House of Central Florida, Inc., and Shakthi US, Inc.
• Childcare for homeless or precariously housed families: Samaritan Resource Center, Inc., Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc., Orange County Mental Health and Homelessness Division.
The CCC offers a comprehensive resource directory of all funded programming published on the CCC web page, located at www.ocfl.net/ccc. The <http://www.ocfl.net/ccc.%20The> directory allows constituents to search for 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.
Childcare services are provided at childcare providers, licensed by the Department of Children and Families throughout Orange County, and authorized by the State of Florida Department of Early Learning.
This funding award is not inclusive of all childcare opportunities funded by Orange County Government; however, is unique in the eligibility criteria. There are no other fully funded childcare opportunities specifically designed for DV survivors or homeless/precariously housed families.