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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5a. Human Services Grant (HSG) Community Needs Workshop Item 5a Human Relations Commission Agenda Report For Agenda of: 9/12/2024 Item Number: 5a FROM: Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Phone Number: (805) 781-7073 E-mail: nveloz@slocity.org SUBJECT: HUMAN SERVICES GRANT (HSG) COMMUNITY NEEDS GRANT WORKSHOP RECOMMENDATION Staff recommend that the Human Relations Commission (HRC) holds the Human Services Grant (HSG) Community Needs Grant Workshop with a focus on alignment between community needs and grant funding priorities. BACKGROUND The Human Relations Commission (HRC) hosts their Community Needs Grant Workshop for the Human Services Grant every other year. This workshop allows the public to provide comments on current community development, social equity, and human service needs in the community as it pertains to the current Human Services Grant offered by the City. This input is used by the HRC to review, update, and approve funding priorities for the upcoming Human Services Grant cycle. The Human Services Grant (HSG) program had a Council approved name changed in 2022 to best reflect the objectives of the grant program. The HSG’s purpose is to provide financial support to non-profit organizations that promote the economic and social wellbeing of the community members of San Luis Obispo. Grants are made to local organizations or agencies based in neighboring communities whose services contribute to the quality of life of City residents. The current HSG Program has a total of $150,000 to distribute and a main funding priority, which reads:  Homelessness prevention, including affordable and alternate housing, support services, and transitional housing. To allow maximum flexibility for funding recommendations dependent upon the received applications, the following priorities were also approved but were not ranked:  Hunger and malnutrition prevention  Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need Page 469 of 477 Item 5a  Services for seniors, veterans, and/or people with disabilities in need  Supportive, developmental, and care services for children and youth in need  Services encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion in marginalized communities, including language access services. During the 2024-25 Human Services Grant (HSG) program cycle, which were presented to Council on May 21, 2024, Council referred the grant funding recommendations back to the HRC with direction to first fund all qualified applications that meet the homelessness prevention main funding priority. After qualified homelessness prevention application are funded, the HRC should consider applications for the additional priorities. HRC completed an initial review of the grant language description on their A ugust 15, 2024 meeting. A revised draft containing their feedback has been created and added as an attachment to this report for additional review. NEXT STEPS After completion of the workshop, the HRC will require staff to incorporate edits or changes, if any; and vote to approve the funding priorities that will help future grant applicants in developing their applications. This item will then be presented to the City Council for final approval. ATTACHMENTS A - Human Services Grant (HSG) Program – Draft 1 B - Human Services Grant (HSG) Program – Draft 2 Page 470 of 477 Human Services Grant (HSG) Program Grant Information – DRAFT 1 PURPOSE The City of San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission (HRC) Human Services Grant (HSG) Program provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote the economic and social well-being of its citizens. FUNDING PRIORITIES The main funding priority: Homeless prevention including affordable, alternative, transitional housing, and supportive services. The following additional priority funding areas are not listed in order of importance: • Hunger and malnutrition prevention • Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need • Services for seniors, veterans and/or people with disabilities in need • Supportive, developmental, and care services for children and youth in need • Services encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusivity in marginalized communities, including access to language services. FUNDING EXAMPLES Examples of previous funded projects, programs, and activities include: • Direct rental assistance and relocation stabilization housing services. • Direct financial assistance to residents at risk of being evicted or need support securing housing with first month’s rent or security deposit. • Direct financial support to secure and maintain permanent housing for youth and families. • Funding support for transitional housing and incentives. • Residential advocacy, facility monitoring visit, complaint investigations and resolution for older adults in long term care facilities. • Cover costs of relocation expenses to independent living conditions after treatment. • Provide food, household supplies, rent, and transportation cost for the older adult population. • Provide access to showers, clothing, and shower items to individuals experiencing homelessness. • Direct rental assistance to individuals with various backgrounds, including mix-status and undocumented individuals as member of at -large communities of SLO. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS Page 471 of 477 1 Applicants must submit a complete application package and within the deadline. 1.1 One-page DEI Statement that includes: 1.1.1 Applicant’s understanding and application of DEI concepts/values 1.1.2 Affirming language that creates access and a sense of belonging to all community members. 1.1.3 Explain how the proposal will advance DEI in the City of SLO. 1.2 One-page detailed budget for the proposal including how the total amount requested will be allocated. 1.3 Organizational chart Document certifying Federal Tax-Exempt Status 2 Applications must be submitted through the online portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 3 Grant recipients must comply with the HRC Bylaws which are to create an environment within the City in which all persons can enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical, mental, or economic status. HRC Bylaws can be found on the City’s website HERE. 4 Grant recipients must enter into a contract with the City prior to receipt of HSG funds. 5 Grant recipients must complete periodic reports and provide them timely. 6 Grant recipients must submit a final report at the end of the project/service or at 12 months from start, whichever comes first. Grant recipients are expected to return unused funds. FUNDING CRITERIA 1 Grants are made only to non-profit organizations. 2 Applications for a specific program, project, equipment need, or general operational support will be considered if the organization’s mission falls under one or more of the HRC priority funding areas listed below. 3 Grants are primarily made to organizations serving residents in the City of San Luis Obispo. 4 Agencies serving residents in neighboring communities, also serving a significant number of City residents will be considered. 5 Organizations that received previous HSG funding must be in good standing and have complied with all reporting requirements. ADDITIONAL FUNDING INFORMATION 1 Applicants’ minimum request of $5,000 and a maximum request of $20,000 2 A maximum of one (1) grant award is allowed per organization (or per partnership if a collaborative project) 3 Funding may be used for new (innovative) or existing projects, programs, concepts, or initiatives that have proven success and/or utilize best practices or innovative approaches. 4 Projects, programs, concepts, and initiatives that leverage existing or other funding sources to supplement proposal is highly encouraged. 5 Have matching grants secured. 6 Ongoing fundraising and services were severely impacted by COVID-19 and not recouped by other means. Page 472 of 477 7 Train or support service providers to expand scope of services and/or increase the numbers of clients. 8 Initiates a new, ongoing funding source for the organization. 9 Directs services efficiently to needy residents with low overhead and administrative costs. PROHIBITED USE OF FUNDS 1 To be discussed 2 To be discussed 3 To be discussed FUNDING DECISIONS The Human Relations Commission (HRC) will exercise discretion when developing funding recommendations. The HRC will review, with support from the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, all applications (that are completed, timely submitted, and met the funding criteria) and develop funding recommendations based on the answers and attestations provided in each application, and guidance and direction from City Council. Please be as specific and detailed in your applications. Recommendations will be presented to the City Council for approval. Grants are awarded by available funding for current grant cycle. Previous grant awards do not guarantee continued funding. This is a competitive grant. The HRC encourages organizations that take new, creative approaches to solving the most prevalent health & human service needs in our community! Page 473 of 477 Page 474 of 477 Human Services Grant (HSG) Program Grant Information – DRAFT 2 PURPOSE The City of San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission (HRC) Human Services Grant (HSG) Program provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote the economic and social well-being of its citizens. FUNDING PRIORITIES For the 2025-26 Fiscal Year, the main funding priority is: Homelessness prevention including affordable, alternative, transitional housing, and supportive services. The following secondary funding priorities areas are not listed in order of importance and may not receive funding: • Hunger and malnutrition prevention • Supportive physical and mental health services for those in need • Services for seniors, veterans and/or people with disabilities in need • Supportive, developmental, and care services for children and youth in need • Services encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusivity in marginalized communities, including access to language services. FUNDING EXAMPLES Examples of previous funded projects, programs, and activities include: • Direct rental assistance and relocation stabilization housing services. • Direct financial assistance to residents at risk of being evicted or need support securing housing with first month’s rent or security deposit. • Direct financial support to secure and maintain permanent housing for youth and families. • Funding support for transitional housing and incentives. • Residential advocacy, facility monitoring visit, complaint investigations and resolution for older adults in long term care facilities. • Cover costs of relocation expenses to independent living conditions after treatment. • Provide food, household supplies, rent, and transportation cost for the older adult population. • Provide access to showers, clothing, and shower items to individuals experiencing homelessness. • Direct rental assistance to individuals with various backgrounds, including mix-status and undocumented individuals as member of at -large communities of SLO. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS Page 475 of 477 1 Applicants must submit a complete application package and within the deadline. 1.1 One-page DEI Statement that includes: 1.1.1 Applicant’s understanding and application of DEI concepts/values 1.1.2 Affirming language that creates access and a sense of belonging to all community members. 1.1.3 Explain how the proposal will advance DEI in the City of SLO. 1.2 One-page detailed budget for the proposal including how the total amount requested will be allocated. 1.3 Organizational chart 1.4 Document certifying Federal Tax-Exempt Status 2 Applications must be submitted through the online portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 3 Grant recipients must comply with the HRC Bylaws which are to create an environment within the City in which all persons can enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical, mental, or economic status. HRC Bylaws can be found on the City’s website HERE. 4 Grant recipients must enter into a contract with the City prior to receipt of HSG funds, located HERE. 5 Grant recipients must complete periodic reports and provide them timely. 6 Grant recipients must submit a final report at the end of the project/service or at 12 months from start, whichever comes first. Grant recipients are expected to return unused funds. 7 Grant-funded programs must be available to all City residents, without regard to the resident’s race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, or economic status. FUNDING CRITERIA 1 Grants are made only to non-profit organizations. 2 Applications for a specific program, project, equipment need, or general operational support will be considered if the organization’s mission falls under the main funding priority. 3 Grants are primarily made to organizations serving residents in the City of San Luis Obispo. 4 Agencies serving residents in neighboring communities, also serving a significant number of City residents will be considered. 5 Organizations that received previous HSG funding must be in good standing and have complied with all reporting requirements. ADDITIONAL FUNDING INFORMATION 1 Applicants’ minimum request of $5,000 and a maximum request of $20,000. 2 A maximum of one (1) grant award is allowed per organization (or per partnership if a collaborative project). 3 Funding may be used for new (innovative) or existing projects, programs, concepts, or initiatives that have proven success and/or utilize best practices or approaches. 4 Projects, programs, concepts, and initiatives that leverage existing or other funding Page 476 of 477 sources to supplement proposal are highly encouraged. 5 Consideration may be provided to proposals who have matching grants secured. 6 Consideration may be provided to applicants whose ongoing fundraising and services were severely impacted by COVID-19 and not recouped by other means. 7 Consideration may be provided to applicants who train or support service providers to expand scope of services and/or increase the numbers of clients. 8 Consideration may be provided to applicants who initiate a new, ongoing funding source for the organization. 9 Consideration may be provided to applicants who direct services efficiently to needy residents with low overhead and administrative costs. PROHIBITED USE OF FUNDS 1 Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, advocating, promoting, or highlighting political causes, entities, ballot measures, or candidates. 2 Funds CANNOT be used for advancing, advocating, promoting, or highlighting religious causes, entities, individuals, or activities. Funding CANNOT be used of the purpose of disseminating religious information. 3 Funds CANNOT be used for profit or personal gain. FUNDING DECISIONS The Human Relations Commission (HRC) will exercise discretion when developing funding recommendations. The HRC will review, with support from the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, all applications (that are completed, timely submitted, and met the funding criteria) and develop funding recommendations based on the answers and attestations provided in each application, and guidance and direction from City Council. Please be as specific and detailed in your applications. Recommendations will be presented to the City Council for approval. Grants are awarded by available funding for current grant cycle. Previous grant awards do not guarantee continued funding. This is a competitive grant. The HRC encourages organizations that take new, creative approaches to solving the most prevalent health & human service needs in our community! Page 477 of 477