Annual Report 2008
CHOICES • Cooperative Department of Extension Senior Services • Crisis Center Community Support Services Partners for a Productive Community Your link to a quality life in Alachua County Poverty Reduction Program Social Services • Veteran Services Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center CHOICES • Cooperative Extension Senior Services • Crisis Center Partners for a Productive Community
A message from the Director A Renewed Commitment to Excellence
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am very pleased to present the first annual report of the Alachua County Department of Community Support Services (DCSS). It is our desire to increase your awareness and understanding of the department and the services we provide. A summary of our accomplishments, adopted budget and the services we provided over the past year are included in this publication. The department has been fortunate to experience the continued support and trust of the Alachua County Board of Commissioners and the County Manager. County Manager Randall H. Reid charged us with the mission of implementing a transformational strategy that empowered the employees within our department and the citizens we serve. Consequently, we evaluated our performance and re-established the importance of keeping our mission before us in our daily endeavors to meet the mark of excellence. In 2008, our mission, vision and values were put to the test by the downturn in the economy. Service demands increased and the profile of the typical service recipient began to change. Individuals that had never used social services before found themselves coming to us for assistance. We were reminded that no one was immune to job loss, family tragedy, stress, victimization or the lack of health care services. We have consistently worked to meet these challenges to ensure that each person walking through our doors is treated with dignity and respect. I invite you to carefully read our annual report and learn of our unique and diverse services. You will realize that your tax dollars are not only being spent wisely but are being used to invest in a quality of life that will contribute to self-sufficiency for individuals and families. I would like to express my gratitude to all departmental staff for their unwavering commitment to serve the public in a caring, compassionate and competent manner.
Elmira K. Warren, Director, Department of Community Support Services
Units of Service - One contact between a worker and client 13,118
Adopted Operating 2008 Budget -$21,294,038 Gas Tax 190,100
10,000 21,652
Grants 1,194,970
Other (Donations) 20,000
Community Agency Partnership Program 40,220
CHOICES Cooperative Extension Crisis Center
92,021
75,871
Social Services Veteran Services
Indigent Healthcare Surtax 9,819,169
Ad Valorem Tax 10,069,799
Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center 52,154
Number of Volunteer Hours
Number of Volunteers 11 9
4,248 47
Administration
1,414 959 18,000
Administration
CHOICES 357
CHOICES
Cooperative Extension
39,250
Crisis Center
345
Partners for a Productive Community 806 147 77
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Poverty Reduction Program Senior Services Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center
688
Cooperative Extension Crisis Center Partners for a Productive Community Poverty Reduction Program
222,987
Senior Services Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center
Cooperative Extension Providing Solutions for Your Life
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he Alachua County Cooperative Extension is a partnership between the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, University of Florida – IFAS, and the United States Department of Agriculture. These groups share in the financing and operation of Extension programs. Alachua County Board of County Commissioners provides support for local faculty staff and facilities. Alachua County Extension conducts research-based educational programs in 4-H youth development, production agriculture, environmental horticulture, natural resources, and family and consumer sciences. Local advisory committees are the stakeholders within the Extension programming which are designed to meet community needs. Cooperative Extension programs emphasize volunteer training, allowing our service to reach more of the County’s population.
Cooperative Extension Accomplishments Master Gardener Volunteers contributed 6,000 hours of service to educate the public. 4-H Volunteers contributed 9,500 hours of service to promote 4-H & youth development in Alachua County.
By participating in 4-H programs and activities, 4,000 youth enhanced life skills in decision making, leadership, communication, healthy lifestyles, and agricultural production. 74 citizens participated in Bankruptcy classes. 100% stated they agreed or strongly agreed “that the course topics were relevant to my life” and that “the course learning materials were helpful.” The Alachua County 4-H County Council prepared 10 food baskets including $150 Publix gift cards for the holidays to needy families in Linton Oaks. The 4-H County Council worked with Partners for a Productive Community to distribute the food to needy families for the holidays. Over 100 youth participated in 4-H summer day camps with topics such as City Slickers Ag Tour, Jr. Master Gardener Camp, Sewing Camps, Art Camps, Fishing Camps, and Cooking Camps. Over 400 youth participated in the 2008 Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show. Project areas range from livestock to non-livestock and include Public Speaking, Citizenship, and Career Development.
Bringing People Together through partnerships that encourage service Lake Forest Home & Community Educators Club president brings comfort to hospice patients When Beverley Wilber of High Springs shows up at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville, carrying a bag containing 20 neck pillows, she is always greeted with open arms. Over the last several months, Ms. Wilber has sewn 175 neck pillows, 44 small pillows with coordinating pillow cases, 65 bibs and crocheted 44 pairs of bed socks for Haven Hospice. She does all of this to make patients as comfortable as possible. Beverley spends much of her time sewing and crocheting for others, a project she took on after retiring from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Ft. Lauderdale and from Prison Health Services in Brentwood, Tennessee. Her goal in retirement was to volunteer to help those less fortunate than most. Currently, she volunteers for Cooperative Extension, as a part of the Family, Youth & Consumer Science Program with Dr. Brenda Williams. As president of Lake Forest Home and Community Educators Club (HCE), she spent 1677 hours volunteering this past year.
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Partnerships
SENIOR SERVICES: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Foster Grandparent Program Cultivating a Culture of Compassion by providing more avenues for meaningful community Senior Services volunteers help Alachua County students achieve their academic potential
D
uring the past year, 123 Foster Grandparents provided 98,341 volunteer hours in local schools, child care centers, and after school programs. As a result, the Foster Grandparent Program semiannual progress report revealed the following: • 86% of children served by Foster Grandparents in elementary schools improved their behavior • 87% improved reading skills • 91% improved their math skills • 100% of children served by Foster Grandparents improved in at least two areas of development. • 100% of children and youth served by Foster Grandparent volunteers in after school programs demonstrated improvement in social skill levels. • 100% showed improvement in academic achievement and an increase in physical activity.
Senior Services volunteers’ service is a valuable contribution to the community 4 new homes were built by Habitat for Humanity. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers assisted nine volunteer stations with raising approximately $145,360 in contributions.
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683 RSVP volunteers served 124,646 hours in local agencies, hospitals, cultural organizations, and schools.
What our partners and volunteers are saying...
42 RSVP volunteers provided assistance to approximately 5,028 individuals in a variety of assignments at the Ronald McDonald House, Haven Hospice, The American Cancer Society and the Winn Dixie Hope Lodge.
“I
272 volunteers served in agencies providing support for seniors such as assisted living, longterm care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and senior community housing.
Senior Services and its community partners provide a place for Alachua County senior citizens Alachua County Board of County Commissioners and Senior Services in partnership with the Community Coalition for Older Adults, City of Gainesville, Elder Care, and other members of the community, successfully moved the Senior Center initiative forward. Approximately $3 million from Wild Spaces/Public Places sales tax in addition to a grant awarded by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs will be used for a new Senior Center at Northside Park.
For futher information visit: www.alachuacountyactiveseniors.net
can’t say enough about our [Foster] Grandma. She is such a blessing to me and my class. I think I draw comfort from talking to her as much as the children. She is the heart and soul of our classroom; the ‘soft place to fall’ for all of us. God bless you for bringing her to us.” - Teacher, Alachua County Schools
“O
ur RSVP volunteer is a gift. Volunteers bring a fresh outlook to our workplace. We benefit from their experience and perspective.” - RSVP Station
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olunteering is a very rewarding experience. It makes you feel needed, appreciated, and also lifts your self-esteem. In helping others, you help yourself in many ways, for it always comes back to you in ways you can never imagine.” - RSVP Volunteer
Partnerships Community Agency Partnership Program Partners for a Productive Community Poverty Reduction Program Forming and Maintaining Productive Partnerships
The Poverty Reduction Program addresses critical issues: hunger and homlessness The Alachua County-City of Gainesville Hunger Summit was held on September 18, 2008, with cosponsors Alachua County Medical Society, The School Board of Alachua County, Department of Children and Families, and the United Way of North Central Florida. Together they worked to develop a Hunger Abatement Plan to address the hunger issues that our citizens face. As a result, six committees were created to focus on the development of a Hunger Abatement Plan, which will be later presented at Hunger Summit II, in April 2009. During the Homeless Night Out event on November 7, 2007, PRP worked in collaboration with the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry and other agencies and distributed 600 meals and over 300 blankets and clothing to citizens. The Homeless Veteran Stand-Down, held on November 16, 2007 provided the following services to homeless veterans: medical and dental screening, VA Enrollment and VA Claims Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and Social Service information, VA Homeless Program, Veteran’s Organizations and volunteers, job information, food and clothing.
Partners for a Productive Community unites with local agencies Partners for a Productive Community (PPC), in partnership with organizations such as Girl Scouts, 4-H Youth Development, Terwilliger Elementary, and the Alachua County Library District, has facilitated ongoing activities in the at-risk communities of Holly Heights/Gordon Manor and Linton Oaks. These activities range from education to recreation and aim to reduce the incidence of juvenile delinquency. To further reduce the impact of poverty, two additional partnerships with the Rock of Gainesville and UF Campus Kitchens were established to provide mobile food distributions and medical services to families. During the fiscal year, a total $44,694 worth of in-kind services and contributions have been reinvested in the community to assist citizens in need.
PPC is expanding its program in East Gainesville which includes Pine Meadows/Lake Road, Greentree Village and Hammock Oaks.
Community Agency Partnership Program In an effort to more efficiently address all public needs, Community Agency Partnership Program (CAPP) partners with non-profit agencies that share the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) commitment to addressing poverty reduction within Alachua County. Since its inception, CAPP has provided funding to organizations that focus on poverty reduction related to: • Healthcare • Elderly & Impaired Services • Homeless Housing—Shelters/Transitional • Food & Legal Assistance for Homeless & Low-Income • Children & Families • Employment/Job Training Related For 2007-08, CAPP partnered with 21 non-profit agencies to provide 30 poverty reduction programs, contributing a total of $890,756. With these funds, over 10,000 needy and lowincome Alachua County residents were served. Among the 10,000 served, 4,000 meals were provided to homeless and low income citizens. The following chart indicates the numbers of citizens served: 220
Persons Served Healthcare Elderly & Impaired Services
1997
1798
Homeless Housing-Shelters/ Transitional Legal Assistance for Homeless & Low Income Children & Families
239
573
1500
Employment/Job Training Related
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Health Services CHOICES Health Services Social Services Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center Supporting Community Health CHOICES Health Services helps county residents care for their most important asset: their health During the past year, CHOICES Health Services provided affordable healthcare to nearly 2,000 citizens and filled 13,764 prescriptions valued at $669,144. Continuing the efforts to reduce the impact and incidence of chronic illnesses within Alachua County, CHOICES implemented two new programs: Disease Management and Health Education & Wellness.
For more info on CHOICES visit: www.acCHOICES.com In the interest of further meeting the health care needs of our citizens, CHOICES provides financial support to the University of Florida Equal Access Clinic and Helping Hands.
Social Services helps families and individuals receive the care they need • Filled over 6,000 prescriptions at a value of $288,231 • Provided primary and specialty care for 400 unemployed or underemployed citizens • Provided 151 residents with vision care services in partnership with the Lions Club of Alachua County • Distributed the Alachua County/NACO Prescription Drug Discount Card to citizens saving a total of $421,591 • Kept more than 2,600 citizens from eviction and/or loss of utility service
Victims of violent crime receive needed medical help from the Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center • Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center provided many citizens with free, confidential HIV/AIDS testing
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• The Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center also provided free medical exams for victims of sexual assault who do not report the crime to law enforcement. Exams include STD testing and prevention
The Department of Community Support Services contributes to other organizations • Contributed $1,009,875 to the Alachua County Health Department for a variety of medical services for citizens • Contributed more than $1.9 million to the State of Florida as part of the Medicaid Match Program. As mandated by Florida law, the County pays 35% of the cost of hospitalization for Alachua County Medicaid patients with hospital stays more than three weeks long. The County also pays $55 per month for each County nursing home resident. This is mandated by Florida Statutes. • Contributed $883,956 to Meridian Behavioral Health Care, Inc. to assist citizens in need of mental health, alcohol and drug abuse services • Contributed $758,800 for Medical Examiner services for performance of autopsies. This is mandated by Florida Statutes.
Demonstration of fiscal integrity DCSS deleted over $1.4 million from our monthly billings as a result of errors made by the State Medicaid Office between 10/07 and 06/08.
Human Services Crisis Center Veteran Services Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center Serving our citizens with compassion and respect
Helping those in crisis • This past year, the Alachua County Crisis Center received nearly 50,000 calls. • Provided over 2,000 face-to-face crisis interventions • Contributed nearly 40,000 hours of service throughout the community • Provided educational services to over 4,000 mental health, medical and law enforcement professionals and community members through 117 presentations, workshops and trainings
Assisting victims of violent crimes • Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center (VSRCC) provided phone counseling and information to 21,887 citizens on its 24hour hotline.
Alachua County supports and honors the service of Veterans • During fiscal year 2008, Veteran Services provided counseling and needs assessment to 1,522 veterans and/or dependents through face-to-face interviews. • Visited 196 veterans/dependents in hospitals, nursing homes, Adult Care Living Facility (ACLF) and in private residences • Helped returning Combat Veterans apply for 2-year interestfree loan on property taxes. This program was provided by Alachua County Board of County Commissioners. • Veteran Service Office helped raise $16,000 for the veteran community through its participation in Bikers on Parade for the USA. • Veteran Services played an integral role in raising $100,000 for the Bridge Scholarship program. This fund provides interim financial assistance to veterans enrolled at Santa Fe College and the University of Florida pending receipt of Veterans Benefits.
• Provided 1,329 criminal justice support services to victims, such as accompanying a victim or family member to court • Provided 323 personal advocacy services to victims of crime, such as calling an employer on behalf of the victim • Provided 125 community education and risk reduction presentations • Received certification from the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence as a Certified Rape Crisis Center • VSRCC launched a MySpace website which offers online counseling through confidential Instant Messaging and resources for reporting crimes and receiving medical assistance, such as STD screening and treatment.
To visit VSRCC’s MySpace site visit: www.myspace.com/victimrapecrisiscenter
Crisis Center Intervention Saves Lives Recently, a retired gentleman called the Crisis Center’s 24-hour hotline. He told the counselor that he wanted to commit suicide because he was mourning the death of a child, facing significant health issues, and going through a difficult divorce. The Crisis Center’s Care Team visited him in his home and counseled him through his despair. He agreed with the advice of the Care Team, allowing them to transport him to a facility where he could be stabilized. He called several days later to thank the Crisis Center for “saving his life.”
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Department of
Community Support Services
218 SE 24th Street Gainesville, Florida 32641-7516 Tel: (352) 264-6700 TDD: (352) 955-2449 Fax: (352) 264-6703 cso@alachuacounty.us www.alachuacounty.us/css
Cooperative Extension 2800 NE 39th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32609-2658 Tel (352) 955-2402 TDD (352) 955-2406 Fax (352) 334-0122 http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/