TO: Mayor Bien-Willner and Town Council Members
FROM: Jill Keimach, Town Manager
Duncan Miller, Town Clerk
DATE: May 28, 2020
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager
Staff Contact Duncan Miller, 480-348-3610
End
AGENDA TITLE:
Title
Award of Community Services Funding for Fiscal Year 2019-20
Body
Council Goals or Other Policies / Statutory Requirements:
Town Council Resolution Number 1304
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Authorize the Town Manager to execute funding agreements with the community services organizations listed in the Action Report in the total amount of $45,000.
Background
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Town of Paradise Valley has awarded funding to various community service organizations benefitting the Town, its residents, and the broader community since 1986. In 2009, the Council created a Human Services Funding Committee and adopted funding guidelines. In 2014, the Council adopted a resolution renaming the committee, amending the policy to broaden the definition of eligible organizations, and clarified the process by which funds are awarded.
In April, organizations who had received funding in the past were invited to submit grant applications. In addition, the Town issued a press release, and posted information on social media platforms. The Town received 12 applications by the May 1st deadline totaling $117,000 in requests. By comparison, 14 requests were received in FY 19 and nine requests were received in FY 18. The Council budgeted a total of $65,000 in this fiscal year.
An advisory group made up of Council Member Moore, Council Member Thomasson and Town Manager Keimach met on May 13 to the review the applications. The applications were scored against objective criteria outlined in the funding policy. This year, priority was given to programs that focused on COVID-19 relief. The advisory group also recognized the need to reduce Town expenditures due to the recent and significant reduction in Town revenues.
The Town Manager recommends awarding funding to the following organizations.
|
Agency |
Request |
Recommendation |
|
AZ Center for Nature Conservation/Phx Zoo |
$5,000 |
$0 |
|
Arizona Helping Hands |
$7,500 |
$5,000 |
|
BSA, Grand Canyon Council |
$5,000 |
$3,000 |
|
Central AZ Shelter Services |
$25,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Duet Partners in Health & Aging |
$7,500 |
$5,000 |
|
Franciscan Renewal Center |
$3,000 |
$2,000 |
|
notMYkid |
$15,000 |
$5,000 |
|
PV Veterans Appreciation Vintage Car Show |
$10,000 |
$0 |
|
Save the Family Foundation of AZ |
$4,000 |
$4,000 |
|
Scottsdale Paradise Valley Family YMCA |
$5,000 |
$0 |
|
Special Olympics, Arizona |
$20,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Valley Youth Theatre |
$10,000 |
$0 |
|
Total |
$117,000 |
$45,000 |
Arizona Helping Hands provides basic needs to children in foster care such as beds, cribs, clothing, diapers, and personal care items. In 2018, 4,200 children received support including 3,141 beds and cribs. The pandemic and opioid crisis has had a profound impact on the foster care system. Arizona Helping Hands has seen a dramatic increase in requests for assistance and a significant decrease in donations. Funding in the amount of $5,000 is recommended.
Boy Scouts of America, Grand Canyon Council submitted a funding request for the COVID-19 Relief Camping Scholarship Fund. The scholarship would provide financial assistance to families impacted by economic hardships during the pandemic so that Scouts can attend summer or fall camps. On average, the week-long camp costs $400. There are 14 scouting units either based in the Town of Paradise Valley or serve Paradise Valley families. Funding in the amount of $3,000 is recommended and would cover the cost of seven Scouts to attend camp.
Central Arizona Shelter Services provides emergency shelter for single adults and families, employment services, veterans’ services, housing services, and referrals to other community agencies. CASS leverages funds provided by Paradise Valley and other communities in order to sustain regional services for the homeless. An agreement for services in the amount of $20,000 is recommended for the CASS Regional Emergency Shelter Services.
Duet Partners in Health & Aging serves homebound adults, caregivers, and grandparents raising grandchildren. They provide services so that older adults may age in place with dignity; they provide support and guidance to caregivers; and make it possible for children to stay with grandparents instead of foster homes. There are currently 15 volunteers from Paradise Valley who assist with this program. In the last year, five Paradise Valley residents were transported to medical appointments and there were 165 escorted trips with Paradise Valley residents to grocery stores and other appointments. An agreement for services in the amount of $5,000 to help fund the Independence for Seniors through In-Home Services and Transportation program which provides transportation for seniors to grocery stores and doctor’ appointments.
Franciscan Renewal Center is offering a counseling program called “Post-Pandemic Stress Recovery” including topics such as loneliness, coping with stress, and taking care of yourself. Funding in the amount of $2,000 is recommended to provide Paradise Valley residents full scholarships for the event and lunch.
notMYkid provides behavioral and mental health services for children. During the pandemic, the agency has focused on suicide substance abuse prevention through interactive web-based prevention classes, telehealth coaching and support, and online community engagement. Funding in the amount of $5,000 is recommended to support ampllif(i) MY Life - Youth Prevention Programs.
Save the Family Foundation provides housing and supportive services for homeless and impoverished families with children. Their mission is to equip families to overcome homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency. A service agreement in the amount of $4,000 is recommended.
Special Olympics of Arizona mission is to provide year-round sports
training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and
adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop
physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing
of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and
the community. There are 502 athletes in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale who participate in a variety of sports and programs. A swim training program is provided at Phoenix Country Day School for approximately 25 athletes each year. The advisory group recommends $1,000 for this program.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
The Town Council budgeted $65,000 for community services funding this fiscal year. Expenditures in the amount of $45,000 is recommended.
ATTACHMENT(S):
PowerPoint Presentation