TAMRMS#: B09
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FCSS Program: Funding Approval
Connie Smigielski, Family & Community Support Services Manager, Community Services
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
1. That the Community Living Standing Committing recommend to Council that a portion of the 2020 FCSS proposed budgeted program funding be allocated as follows:
• St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre $11,300
o Sidekicks Mentoring Program Interim Funding
• St. Albert Community Village and Food Bank Society $6,600
o Community Income Tax Program
2. That the Community Living Standing Committee recommend to Council that Policy C-CS-14 FCSS Program Funding be revised to enhance the allocation process to improve our ability to best address unmet or emerging needs of residents by Q1 2020.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
This report brings forward recommendations from the Community Services Advisory Committee (CSAC), at its October 22, 2019 meeting, for the allocation of funding through the 2020 FCSS Program Fund for Council’s consideration and approval, as per attached Policy C-CS-14, and to facilitate a proposed amendment to the FCSS Program Funding Policy to enhance the allocation process.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Service Name Service Definition Current Service Level
Management of Partnerships Program Funding Council allocates a minimum
To Deliver Social Services of 20% to match the
Provincial funding.
Applications are received
Annually. Community
Services Advisory
Committee reviews
Applications and forwards
recommendations to Council
for their approval.
Programs funded align with at
least one core value listed
in the Social Master Plan
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
The Council direction that has resulted in this matter being brought before Council is Council Policy C-CS-14 FCSS Program Funding.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
As per the FCSS Program Funding Policy C-CS-14, the City may offer financial assistance in the form of program funding for eligible St. Albert not-for-profit community organizations for the delivery of preventative social services to the community.
FCSS Program Funding applications are received by Administration annually in the fall and then reviewed by the CSAC who make funding recommendations to Council for the following calendar year.
In the fall of 2019, the St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre applied for program funding. Funding was denied based on several factors, including not meeting eligibility criteria as outlined in the FCSS Program Funding Policy, the lack of stability of the organization to effectively deliver the programs, and recommendations from the Metrix Social Program Review. However, CSAC recommended funding the Babysitting course, the Community Income Tax Program and the Sidekicks Mentoring Program if a sustainable organization came forward with an application to deliver these programs.
The following outlines the proposed future delivery of these programs:
Babysitting Course
The St. Albert Family Resource Centre has taken over the delivery of the Babysitting Course. The course costs are offset through fees and as such does not require any community funding.
Community Income Tax Program
The St. Albert Community Village and Food Bank is requesting funding to deliver the Community Income Tax Program.
Recommendation #1 - St. Albert Community Village and Foodbank
• Funding Request: $6,600
• The funding is in support of the Community Income Tax Program
Sidekicks Mentoring Program
Administration has received an expression of interest for the Sidekicks Mentoring Program from the Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area (BGCBigs). Approving an application for funding from BGCBigs to deliver the Sidekicks Mentoring Program would require an amendment to the FCSS Program Policy, as their Organization is housed in Edmonton. Administration anticipates bringing proposed revisions to the FCSS Policy for consideration in Q1 2020.
Administration is recommending Interim Funding for the Sidekicks Mentoring Program to March 31, 2020.
Recommendation #2 - St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre
• Funding Request: $11,300
• The funding is in support of Interim funding for three months for the Sidekicks Mentoring Program
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Administration has been working with the St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre and community organizations to find viable options to continue to offer the St. Albert Babysitting Course, the Community Income Tax Program and the Sidekicks Mentoring Program.
The St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre have moved out of their location at the Charles Gale Building; however, they have negotiated with the Charles Gale Society to allow the Sidekicks Mentoring Program to keep an office until the end of March 2020. CIVC has advised Administration the Society will be dissolved on March 31, 2020.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Total funding available in the 2020 operating budget for FCSS Program Funding is $602,058. On November 4, 2019 Council approved allocation of $411,134 of the total 2020 budget leaving $190,924 remaining.
The allocations being recommended for 2020 FCSS Program Funding total $17,900.
Legal / Risk:
Recipients of the FCSS Program Funding sign a funding agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the funding, including expected outcomes and deliverables.
Program or Service:
Transitioning the delivery of the Community Income Tax Program and the Sidekicks Mentoring Program will ensure there is no gap in service to children, youth and seniors who have relied on these programs in past years.
Organizational:
None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendations, the following alternatives could be considered:
1. That the funding requests, as identified be adjusted as per the direction of Council.
2. That the matter be referred back to Administration with direction from Council.
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Report Date: January 13, 2020
Author: Kelly Jerrott
Committee/Department: Community Services
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble