City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 17, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DCHS
DOCKET TITLE:
...TITLE
Consideration of the Transmittal of the Alexandria Fund for Human Services Reform Committee Recommendations.
BODY
ISSUE: Receipt of recommendations from the Alexandria Fund for Human Services (AFHS) Reform Committee.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1) Receive the recommendations from the AFHS Reform Committee; and
2) Request that the City Manager direct staff to implement the recommendations as accepted by City Council.
BACKGROUND: Earlier this year the City Manager informed City Council that the FY 2019 to FY 2021 AFHS grant cycle would be extended for an additional year as grantees and the community continued to encounter COVID-19 related challenges. These included reduced in-person client participation, the need for program shifts to virtual offerings, and staff and volunteer vacancies and exposure to the virus. It was felt that the extension would also increase the opportunity for stronger responses to the next request for grant applications as they would be able to articulate the current unmet human service needs more effectively in the city.
During the grant extension period the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) staff were charged to accomplish the following:
* Gain a greater understanding of the outstanding needs, gaps in services, and alternative resources available and the ongoing needs, gaps in services, and alternative resources available and ongoing challenges faced by the non-profit community to further stabilize the sector.
* Explore alternative approaches for the use of funds reflective of the new normal following COVID-19.
* Explore new priorities reflected in updated Strategic Plans and other shifts in Alexandria...
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