HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-082 RESOLUTION NO. 11-082
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE
COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF FULL FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY
SERVICE BLOCK GRANT
WHEREAS, the Community Service Block Grant was created by the federal Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to provide a range of services to assist low-income people in
attaining the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary to achieve self sufficiency; and,
WHEREAS, St. Lucie County is committed to assisting low income residents to move
toward self sufficiency and reduce the negative effects of poverty; and,
WHEREAS, St. Lucie County is the lead entity for the Treasure Coast Community Action
Agency which serves Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties and is the recipient of the
Community Services Block Grant; and,
WHEREAS, the current federal budget recommendation has eliminated Community
Services Block Grant funding for Community Action Agencies throughout the country; and,
WHEREAS, the County is experiencing a 15% unemployment rate, high foreclosures and
homelessness rates, and an increase in the number of families seeking assistance with food and
other basic needs; and.
WHEREAS, the County has identified a 50% increase in those who are seeking assistance
for basic needs for the first time who do not know the resources available to them; and.
WHEREAS, Community Services Block Grant funds are used to leverage other resources
to fill gaps in services and provide long term solutions for problems affecting the low income
community and to address the causes and conditions of poverty within the County; and.
WHEREAS, in the three County area last year, these funds provided assistance to 3,178
low-income residents resulting in the following:
• 211 jobs were created or saved from elimination
• 165 individuals were provided transportation assistance in support of employment
• 27 individuals obtained identification in support of employment;
• 803 individuals utilized free tax assistance services to obtain tax credits resulting in
returns of $1,076,451;
• 6,478 meals were delivered via Meals on Wheel, ensuring that seniors could age in
place and diverting them from nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
• 3,959 hours of homemaker and respite care assistance were provided to seniors in
order to keep them safely and independently housed;
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• 1,657 families received emergency assistance for food and clothing;
• 302 families received emergency assistance for rent/mortgage to prevent
homelessness;
• 30,319 residents received information and referral for community resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida:
1. The foregoing recitals contained in the preamble to this resolution are
incorporated herein by reference.
2. This Board declares its support for full funding of the Community Services Block
Grant and urges Congress to adopt a budget that ensures $700 million in support of low
income residents obtaining self-sufficiency.
3. The County Administrator is hereby directed to send a copy of this resolution to
the St. Lucie County Congressional Delegation.
4. This Resolution shall take effect upon adoption.
After motion and second the vote on this resolution was as follows:
Chairman Chris Craft AYE
Vice Chairman Chris Dzadovsky AYE
Commissioner Paula A. Lewis AYE
Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson AYE
Commissioner Tod Mowery AYE
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 19th day of April 2011.
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