Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tara Williams
Department: Human Services Division: Family Success Administration
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO ACCEPT Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency for Phase 41 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, in the amount of $35,000 effective from November 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024, to provide hotel or motel assistance to eligible in-crisis Broward County residents; authorize the Family Success Administration Division Director to submit certifications and reports as the single program contact; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Grant Award.
ACTION: (T-10:56 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 6-0. Commissioner McKinzie was out of the room during the vote. Commissioner Bogen and Vice-Mayor Furr were not present.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution appropriating revenue within the Emergency Food and Shelter Grant Fund in the amount of $35,000 for Emergency Food and Shelter Program (“EFSP”) Phase 41 for the purpose of providing hotel or motel assistance to eligible in-crisis Broward County residents.
ACTION: (T-10:56 AM) Approved Resolution No. 2024-258.
VOTE: 6-0. Commissioner McKinzie was out of the room during the vote. Commissioner Bogen and Vice-Mayor Furr were not present.
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Why Action is Necessary
Acceptance of grant funds and Budget Resolutions to recognize unanticipated revenue require Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) approval.
What Action Accomplishes
Acceptance of this Grant Award provides federal EFSP grant funds for assistance to eligible in-crisis Broward County residents.
Goal Related Icon(s)
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Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE FAMILY SUCCESS ADMINISTRATION DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
These items support the Commission’s value of "building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives,” and the goal of "delivering human services that holistically address the whole person collaboratively and compassionately.” This funding allows the Family Success Administration Division (“FSAD”) to continue to provide financial support to eligible residents experiencing an economic crisis.
The EFSP was established in 1983 as part of the Jobs Stimulus Bill, Public Law 98-8, to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies to help people with economic emergencies that are not disaster related. EFSP is governed by a national board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which includes representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, United Jewish Communities, and United Way Worldwide. Local boards, modeled after the national board, select agencies in the community to receive and redistribute funding allocated by the national board to local jurisdictions. In the local jurisdiction of Broward County, Gateway Community Outreach, Inc., provides administrative support for the local board and communicates the decisions of the local board to the local recipient organizations and the national board.
The national EFSP board allocated $647,324 to the local jurisdiction for award to local agencies during the Phase 41 expenditure period of November 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024. Broward County was awarded $35,000 in the category of Other Shelter to provide hotel or motel assistance (Exhibit 1). Recently revised EFSP guidelines now allow up to 90 nights of assistance for an eligible household. Broward County will be able to provide up to 466 nights of assistance serving a minimum of 15 households at an average cost of $75 per night for 30 nights.
Broward County has received EFSP funding for every annual phase since the inception of the program in 1983, making this the 41st year that Broward County residents will benefit from these grant-funded services.
FSAD will utilize this award to increase services throughout its centers and expand ongoing efforts to assist eligible residents experiencing an economic crisis and in need of assistance to prevent homelessness.
The local board advertised availability of Phase 41 funds for Broward County providers on March 10, 2024. The application for funding was made available on March 11, 2024, with a submission deadline of March 22, 2024. The Family Success Administration Division received their notice of award on April 10, 2024.
The funder does not provide an agreement for execution by the recipient but publishes a responsibilities and requirements manual and requires certification that the recipient will comply with the terms of the manual. This manual includes the standard, non-negotiable grant agreement compliance articles for all U.S. Department of Homeland Security federally funded grants, financial terms and conditions detailing the methods required to receive funds and manage payments, as well as the EFSP program operating guidelines. The funder allows only one contact from each organization to receive program communication and submit documentation. All documentation must be signed and submitted electronically utilizing DocuSign. To ensure essential program communication reaches the recipient agency timely, FSAD recommends that the Division Director, as the single program contact, be delegated authority to submit certifications and reports, subject to prior review for legal sufficiency as applicable.
Source of Additional Information
Natalie D. Moffitt, Director, Family Success Administration Division, (954) 357-6367
Kristi Hill, Assistant Director, Family Success Administration Division, (954) 357-6367
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
This program is 100% federally funded. Phase 41 is funded in the amount of $35,000. No Broward County match is required. Administrative costs are not allowable under this grant award. Administrative costs for this program are covered through FSAD’s annual budget as the program is administered through the same process and by the same personnel who coordinate FSAD’s general fund emergency assistance program.