DEPARTMENT: Department of Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
2014 Community Services Block Grant
SUMMARY:
This ordinance approves acceptance, upon award, of up to $1,588,858.00 in Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. This ordinance also approves a budget and personnel complement of 19 grant funded positions. It further authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Services, or her designee, to execute documents and contracts in connection with the grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is the designated Community Action Agency and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) eligible entity for San Antonio and Bexar County. DHS has operated the Community Action Program since 1979. The Community Action Advisory Board (CAAB) acts in an advisory capacity regarding implementation of Community Action Programs. The CAAB approved the program year 2014 Community Action Plan and budget on October 2, 2013.
The primary purpose of the program is to transition individuals and families out of poverty and to provide safety net assistance to San Antonio and Bexar County residents at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). CSBG funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with oversight by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Basic safety net assistance includes utility and rental assistance as well as related supportive services to include long-term case management that focuses on four areas: education, employment, emergency support, and financial education. Case managers work with committed program participants to complete individual assessments, develop case management service plans, arrange for necessary services and follow-up, and monitor participants' status to help them achieve a sustained family income above 125% of FPL.
ISSUE:
As part of the planning process required by the TDHCA, CSBG eligible entities must conduct a public hearing prior to submitting a proposed 2014 budget and Community Action Plan. A public hearing was held on September 4, 2013.
Final award is pending authorization of the FY 2014 Federal Budget. The state requested that all CSBG eligible entities submit a proposed budget with funding for Program Year (PY) 2014 estimated at a 7.2% reduction from the 2013 CSBG funding level. Based on this reduction, the estimated City of San Antonio 2014 CSBG allocation is $1,588,858.00. CSBG contracts for PY 2014 will be executed once the federal budget is approved or a Continuing Resolution authorized and award is received by the City of San Antonio.
The FY 2014 proposed budget also reflects a similar reduction in personnel and a realignment of program services from emergency assistance to long-term case management activities in alignment with federal grant priorities. Increased focus on long-term case management activities will ensure that individuals and families are provided with necessary support to obtain better employment leading to a permanent transition out of poverty.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City of San Antonio is the only designated CSBG eligible entity for Bexar County and no other agency may apply for these funds. If the proposed ordinance is not approved, services currently provided by the City of San Antonio would cease to be provided to the local community while TDHCA undergoes a process to identify a possible new designated entity for the service area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance approves acceptance of funds, upon award, of up to $1,588,858.00 in CSBG funds from TDHCA for the 2014 CSBG grant and approves a DHS budget and personnel complement of 19 positions. There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the acceptance of CSBG funds; a DHS budget and personnel complement; and execution of documents and contracts in connection with this grant.