THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ELDERLY AND VETERANS SERVICES DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF REQUESTED ACTION.
This item supports the Commission Value of "Approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately with a special emphasis on the most vulnerable" and the Goal to "Collaborate with public and private partners to find creative, equitable, and responsible solutions to systemic community problems...". This Agreement provides matching funds to facilitate an array of support services to Broward County residents who are 60 years of age or older.
Under federal and state guidelines, the Areawide Council on Aging of Broward County, Inc. (Areawide Council) is the umbrella entity responsible for planning, coordinating, monitoring and funding programs and services that meet the multiple needs of Broward’s residents who are 60 years of age or older. Federal dollars are provided to the organization through the Older Americans Act. State dollars are allocated to the organization by the Community Care for the Elderly Act. For every $9 provided by federal and state resources, the Areawide Council must raise $1 in local match. For Fiscal Year 2018, the Areawide Council must raise $1,531,696 to ensure that it matches the $13,785,264 in federal and state funding designated for senior services in Broward County.
The Areawide Council has developed a formula to request and receive their matching funds from Broward County and its municipalities. The Board of County Commissioners has approved this local match funding for the past 19 years, and historically there have been occasions where the terms of the contract were extended. The local match Agreement of $684,920 represents the Fiscal Year 2018 contribution amount requested by the Areawide Council for services provided to seniors throughout the County.
The Areawide Council met its outcomes for Fiscal Year 2017. The expected outcomes for Fiscal Year 2018 are as follows: 1) Maintain number of persons receiving services; and 2) minimize number of persons waiting for any agency service by ensuring proper expenditure of all available funds. Services are as follows: Home and Community Based Services, Diversion and Long Term Care Initiatives, Supportive Community Care, Caregiver Support, and Nutritional Services.
The Elderly and Veterans Services Division has informed the Office of Economic and Small Business Development and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Professional Standards that the Areawide Council is in compliance with the policies set forth by the County regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, American with Disabilities Act and equitable distribution amongst Broward County’s small businesses. The Areawide Council is a not-for-profit organization in a quasi-governmental role, functioning as an agent of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and following the state’s policies on protection of civil rights and small business development. Consequently, no goals in relation to the above-mentioned policies are required.
The Risk Management Division has approved this Agreement as to insurance requirements. The County Attorney's Office has also reviewed and approved this Agreement as to form. |