STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: October 13, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
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SUBJECT
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Authorize the first of two, one-year renewal options to the service contract with Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House to provide single mothers with specialized childcare for their special needs children through the Overcoming Barriers to Work Program for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 - Not to exceed $36,698.00 from $36,698.00 to $73,396.00 - Financing: 2020-21 Community Development Block Grant Fund
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BACKGROUND
The Overcoming Barriers to Work Program provides supportive services to address barriers to work. These barriers may include but are not limited to transportation, childcare, language, mental health resources and lack of wrap-around services. This program supports projects/programs that provide city of Dallas residents with skills and needed support to gain and maintain jobs that pay livable wages. The program specifically provides supportive services for individuals participating in job training/career development programs. Programming is offered to clients who meet Community Development Block Grant eligibility requirements of low- to moderate-income.
Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House through their Single Working Mothers Program, support low-income, racially and ethnically diverse single mothers by providing specialized childcare for their special needs children at no cost. Bryan’s House serves families living in poverty, most headed by single mothers, that have children with special health needs or whose mothers are HIV-positive. Women who live in poverty and have children with special health needs must work in order to support their families. However, they cannot work unless they have access to high quality childcare to ensure their children are cared for and that they don’t fall further behind developmentally due to their medical or developmental challenges.
On October 23, 2019, City Council authorized a one-year service contract with two one-year renewal options for the Overcoming Barriers to Work Program with (1) Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House in the amount of $36,698.00, (2) International Rescue Committee, Inc. in the amount of $76,833.00, and (3) The Salvation Army in the amount of $40,337.00, by Resolution No. 19-1657.
Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House Performance Outcomes for FY19-20 are as follows:
PERFORMANCE MEASURES GOALS AMENDED OUTCOME (THROUGH
GOALS (AUGUST 31, 2020)
⠄# (40) single women served 40 (100%) 14 (35%) 13 (32.5%)
whose children have special
health needs by providing
specialize childcare and
comprehensive support services
⠄# (40) single women who will 40 (100%) 30 (75%) 14 (35%)
receive employment services or
referrals for services such as
job training
⠄% of single women who 70% 50% 22.5%
participated in employment
services who secured a job with
unknown hours and completed
their first day
⠄% of single women who 70% 50% 32.5%
participate in the Family Support
Service Program will maintain
or increase their income
⠄Number of individuals who 24 (60%) 8 (20%) 4 (10%)
secured employment during the
current reporting period or past
reporting period who achieve one
of the following indicators of
advancement:
1. Promotion along an identified career path at a business
2. Increase in hourly wage or salary
3. Increase in hours worked each month
4. Improved working conditions (better hours or benefits)
Due to COVID-19, Bryan’s House onside programming has been suspended. However, they are continuing to help the single women and their children, who were already assisted in their Family Support Service Program. They have helped with financial assistance and financial coaching, employment searches, and other crisis intervention activities. Bryan’s House staff work to help their clients to identify alternatives for childcare, and work with clients to assess any barriers they have to maintain, obtain or improve employment through this crisis.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On October 23, 2019, City Council authorized a one-year service contract with two one-year renewal options for the Overcoming Barriers to Work Program with (1) Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House in the amount of $36,698.00, (2) International Rescue Committee, Inc. in the amount of $76,833.00, and (3) The Salvation Army in the amount of $40,337.00, by Resolution No. 19-1657.
City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on October 2, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2020 |
FY 2021 |
Future Years |
|
2020-21 Community Development Block Grant Fund |
$36,698.00 |
$36,698.00 |
$0.00 |