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 The Salvation Army A Georgia Corporation to provide services to individuals and families overcoming homelessness, addiction and poverty through the Overcoming Barriers to Work Program for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 - Not to exceed $40,337.00, from $40,337.00 to $80,674.00 - 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.
The Salvation Army, through their Carr P. Collins Social Service Center, provides prevention and recovery programs that are designed to assist those in varying stages of crisis by providing low barrier access to food, shelter, and supportive services to help end their crisis and begin a path to recovery. The majority of clients served in these programs have significant barriers to employment, including extensive criminal backgrounds, large employment history gaps, and transportation issues. To address these barriers, The Salvation Army provides one-on-one coaching and classroom job readiness services to assist clients with the development of skills needed to obtain and maintain employment, and/or advance in the workforce. Also, they provide transportation assistance (bus pass) and linkage to additional supportive services offered on and off site.
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 A Georgia Corporation in the amount of $40,337.00, by Resolution No. 19-1657.
The Salvation Army A Georgia Corporation Performance Outcomes for FY 2019-20 are as follows:
PERFORMANCE MEASURES GOALS AMENDED OUTCOME (THROUGH
GOALS (AUGUST 31, 2020)
⠂Total number enrolled in job 180 125 138
readiness
⠂Total number of four-class courses 30 23 21
taught
⠂Total number who complete the 135 97 77
course
⠂Total number who receive work 24 19 30
shoes/clothes
⠂Total number who receive 60 38 54
transportation assistance
⠂Total number who obtain full-time 88 60 58
employment
⠂Total number who maintain full-time 66 30 16
employment for thirty days
⠂Average hourly wage for those $11.71/hr. $11.71/hr. $10.60/hr.
employed
Due to COVID-19, The Salvation Army suspended all program services to individuals seeking services who did not reside in the facility. This included those attending job readiness classes and/or meeting with the employment specialist for one on one meetings. The secondary impact of COVID-19 limited the ability for clients to continue with seeking employment and/or losing employment due to businesses temporarily closing. The Salvation Army has seen a reduction in the number of clients who participate in job readiness services, and who obtain and maintain full time employment.
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 A Georgia Corporation 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 |
$40,337.00 |
$40,337.00 |
$0.00 |