City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 19, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
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Authorization to Accept a Grant Award from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to Enhance and Expand the Department of Community and Human Services' Economic Mobility Work.
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ISSUE: City Council's authorization to accept a two-year Financial Empowerment grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to enhance and expand the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Center for Economic Support (CES) economic mobility work.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
1. Authorize the acceptance of a Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund grant award to DCHS in the amount of $170,000, which will extend through April 30, 2028.
2. Pursuant to the grant, approve the establishment of an Office of Financial Empowerment within DCHS' Center for Economic Support. The office will enable a strategic, coordinated, and sustainable approach to ensuring economic stability and upward mobility for all Alexandrians; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents required.
BACKGROUND: On September 16, 2025, the Cities for Financial Empowerment issued its Cohort 4 Financial Empowerment Cities notice of funding availability. DCHS staff learned of this grant opportunity on November 7, 2025, with a submission deadline of November 14, 2025. Staff sought and received the City Manager's approval to submit a grant application. As per the terms of the grant application, Mayor Gaskins subsequently provided a letter of support that accompanied the grant application. In mid-December 2025, DCHS staff participated in an interview with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to further explain the DCHS' visio...
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