To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
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Jacquelyn Bayard, Administrative Specialist, Commissioners’ Office
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presenter
Presenter: Jacquelyn Bayard, Administrative Specialist, Commissioners’ Office
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Subject:
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1:30 PM *Aid to Agencies Evaluation Follow-up Discussion
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
Staff will provide an update on the requests from the Board at the March 30, 2021 study session including recommendations on which agencies should be required and competitive as well as a geographical analysis of the 2021 agencies.
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Background and Discussion:
Given the feedback received at the March 30, 2021 study session, the Aid to Agencies review team reconvened to identify which agencies should be required (and therefore would not need to apply for Aid to Agencies funding) versus which should be competitively reviewed if they choose to apply.
Although all of these organizations provide necessary services to Arapahoe County, the review team identified nine (9) agencies that should receive funding regardless of an application. Many of these agencies are one of the only or the only agency providing assistance in a specific service area in Arapahoe County. These service areas include mental and physical health care, homelessness, seniors, and domestic violence. Those agencies are:
• AllHealth Network
o 2021 award= $179,540
• Aurora Mental Health Center
o 2021 award= $180,063
• Aurora Mental Health Center - Detox
o 2021 award= $280,000
• Comitis Crisis Center
o 2021 award= $68,000
• Family Tree
o 2021 award= $100,000
• Arapahoe County Council on Aging
o 2021 award= $3,000
• Tri-Valley Senior Citizens Association
o 2021 award= $12,000
• Jewish Family Service of Colorado - Aging Care and Connections
o 2021 award= $33,000
• Gateway Domestic Violence Services
o 2021 award= $345,000 (suggestion is to reduce award to $300,000)
The team also identified fourteen (14) agencies that would be judged competitively if they choose to apply for Aid to Agencies funding in the future. Those agencies are:
• Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center
• Juvenile Assessment Center
• Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners
• South Metro Medical Equipment Loan Closet
• A Precious Child
• Advocates for Children
• Nourish Meals on Wheels
• Food Bank of the Rockies
• Jewish Family Service of Colorado - Family Safety Net
• Community Housing Partners
• Homelessness Awareness Action Task Force
• The Salvation Army - Centennial Corps
• Ready to Work Aurora
• Second Chance Center Colorado
Additionally, there are five (5) agencies the review team feels the Board should ultimately decide whether they should be funded regardless of an application or if they should be judged competitively. Those agencies are:
• 18th Judicial District Wellness Court
o 2021 award= $35,235
• Aurora Interfaith Community Services
o 2021 award= $51,000
• Integrated Family Community Services
o 2021 award= $80,000
• STRIDE Community Health Center
o 2021 award= $48,479
• Doctors Care
o 2021 award= $11,700
Finally, one agency that received 2021 grant funds, Via Mobility Services, is likely going to dissolve so they were not included in the categorizations.
Staff is providing this information to the Board for continued feedback, building on the initial recommendations presented at the March 30, 2021 study session. A final study session has been scheduled for May 4, to obtain final input and present an official proposal for the program going forward. Although the 2021 award amounts are listed for reference, the Board is free to change award amounts as they see fit.
The Board also requested a geographical analysis of the 2021 agencies so that information is included in the agenda attachments, along with an overview of some county trends and demographics to help provide context.
Fiscal Impact:
If the Board chooses to fund the agencies in the “Required” category at 2021 award levels, the total amount would be $1,200,603. That amount would need to come out of a separate funding source rather than Aid to Agencies.
If the Board chooses to accept the recommendation of reducing the Gateway Domestic Violence Services to $300,000 and keep the other awards at 2021 levels, the total amount would be $1,155,603.
Additionally, if some of the proposed recommendations from the previous study session were implemented, the amount awarded each year would likely decrease which would result in more available money within the county’s budget.
Alternatives: The Board has several alternatives to these proposals:
• Make no changes to the program and continue awarding agencies the same or reduced amounts within the allotted budget.
• Gradually reduce award amounts until a pre-determined threshold is reached.
• Discontinue the program altogether and fund essential services through an alternative funding source.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☒Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the Board of County Commissioners discuss the recommendations from the review team to improve the Aid to Agencies program. A follow-up study session is scheduled for May 4, 2021 to formally propose changes to be implemented with the 2022 grant cycle.
Concurrence: Human Services; Community Resources