DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
2017 Community Services Block Grant
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance, upon award, of $2,005,701.00 in Community Services Block Grant funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and authorizes a budget and personnel complement of 26 grant funded positions. This ordinance also authorizes the submission of a request for 2017 Community Services Block Grant Discretionary funding, and acceptance upon award of $16,250.00, and budget for the period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.
This action also authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Services to execute documents pertaining to this grant, to include acceptance of additional grant funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio, Department of Human Services (DHS) is the designated Community Action Agency (CAA) 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 primary purpose of the CSBG grant 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 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 the FPL.
ISSUE:
As part of the annual planning process required by TDHCA, CSBG eligible entities must conduct a public hearing prior to submitting a proposed 2017 budget and Community Action Plan. A public hearing was held on September 22, 2016. The CAAB approved the Program Year 2017 Community Action Plan - Performance Statement and Targets and the proposed Program Year 2017 budget on September 22, 2016.
A final award amount from TDHCA will be provided upon authorization of the Fiscal Year 2017 Federal Budget. As requested by the state, DHS proposed a budget based on 2017 estimated CSBG allocations, in the amount of $2,005,701.00. The CSBG contract with TDHCA for Program Year 2017 will be executed once the federal budget is approved or a Continuing Resolution is authorized and final award amount is received by the City of San Antonio.
The FY 2017 proposed budget reflects the addition of a Senior Management Analyst and Administrative Associate. The Senior Management Analyst will oversee the City’s Financial Empowerment Center Program and continue to provide financial counseling services to individuals and families to help them achieve financial self-sufficiency. The Administrative Associate will provide administrative support to our Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance programs
On November 2, 2016, DHS received notice from TDHCA regarding available 2017 CSBG Discretionary funding in the amount up to $16,250.00 for the period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. If these additional funds are awarded, the 2017 CSBG Discretionary funds may be for direct client assistance and cannot be used for salaries, fringe or other operational costs.
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 provided by the City of San Antonio may not be provided to the community while TDHCA undergoes a process to identify new designated entity for the service area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds upon award of $2,005,701.00 in 2017 CSBG funding from TDHCA for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and approves a budget and personnel complement of 26 DHS positions. This ordinance also authorizes acceptance of funds upon award of $16,250.00 in 2017 CSBG Discretionary funding for the period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the acceptance of CSBG funds, budget and personnel complement.