Councilmember Tyson Announces Pilot Human Services Funding Program
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 11, 2013
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More Information:
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Councilmember Tyson Announces Pilot Human Services Funding
Program
(Columbus)—Columbus City Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson
and Mayor Michael Coleman are proud to announce the 2013 Pilot Human Services
Funding Program designed to align human services funding with community needs
and improve the lives of Columbus families.
Following a competitive grant application process, City Council approved
ordinance 2084-2013 to support seven agencies selected to participate in the
program because of their services for the working poor and offender re-entry
programming.
“Now more than ever, we need to concentrate our efforts on
breaking the cycle of poverty so that our children are ready to contribute
their full potential to building a healthy community,” said Councilmember
Tyson, who chairs the Health and Human Services Committee. “This will make our
families safer and help our workforce compete in the global economy.” The grant funding model was based on feedback received from
nonprofit leaders, research on national best practices, and an analysis of
underserved needs in Columbus. The goal
of the pilot program is to create a competitive grant process by 2015 that will
allow agencies that have an established relationship with the city, and
organizations that do not yet receive funding, a chance to secure city support.
A competitive process will ensure that Columbus tax dollars are invested
strategically and responsibly to help our most vulnerable populations and make
Columbus a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
The seven agencies participating in the program are:
Physicians CareConnection - $30,000
Funds will assist in providing for patient primary care
through free clinics, specialty care for the uninsured, dental care, linkage to
insurance and care coordination.
HandsOn Central Ohio - $30,000
Funds will help procure a new phone system to improve and
increase call volume, increase referral services and save monthly phone
expenses.
Alvis House - $100,000
Funds will support the Community Empowering Change Program,
which allows those involved in the criminal justice system to access job
readiness services, case management and support, self-employment training and
peer-to-peer mentoring.
Goodwill Columbus - $55,000
Funds will support the re-entry program to help those with
criminal justice histories obtain employment through work readiness programs,
paid transitional work and job development/coaching activities.
United Way of Central Ohio - $10,000
Funds will support the Tax Time Coalition (formerly known as
the EITC Program) by connecting qualified households to financial education and
savings opportunities and enable families to claim tax deductions and tax
credits.
Columbus Early Learning Centers - $25,000
Funding will assist families with special “step up”
scholarships from publicly funded child care subsidies by assisting those who
marginally exceed the 125% federal poverty level.
Legal Aid Society of Columbus - $50,000
Funds will be used to provide legal assistance to women who
have children and are victims of domestic violence by expanding legal clinics,
civil protection orders, advice and counsel for post-separation, and other
civil needs.
“These seven programs were selected based on the strength of
their outcomes, the capacity of the organizations and innovative collaboration
with niche human services organizations,” said Councilmember Tyson.
Click here for more information on the pilot program.
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Attached: Councilmember Tyson congratulates the recipients
of pilot program funding.