Minutes 03/25/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 25, 2014 o Special services payments to help meet the child's documented special needs Discussion: • There are one hundred and twenty-four (124) adopted children with adoptive parents who receive monthly adoption assistance payments, known as an Adoption Subsidy. As foster care placements increase and reunification efforts with family is not achievable, our objective is to pursue adoption for permanency. As this process continues, the number of adoptions has historically increased, which impacts the department's budgeted allocation. To date, average monthly adoption assistance payments total $146,093. Accordingly the Portsmouth Department of Social Services (PDSS) requested additional funding the Virginia Department of Social Services. • PDSS uses a consistent application, assessment, and negotiation process which is mandated statewide. This process individually tailors adoption assistance to meet the unique special needs of the child, family circumstances of the adoptive parents, and available resources in the community. The standardized evaluation process/application is the Virginia Enhancement Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT). PDSS disburses Adoption Subsidies to adoptive parents on behalf of the child on a monthly basis. • Adoptive Resource Parent(s) become eligible to receive adoption assistance services and payments after the PDSS Director approves the Adoption Assistance Agreement. Financial Impact: • There is no local match requirement, thus an appropriation from the General Fund is not required. • This additional allocation is based upon the established reimbursement process the Virginia Department of Social Services has with local municipalities in regards to expenditures. The state approved allocation of $250,000 is 100% federal funded. Recommended Action: • Adoption of the ordinance. Vision Principles: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community, Quality of Life and Lifelong Learning Community. Next Steps Following Council Action: • Allocation of funds in the City's financial system within the PDSS budget for Adoption Assistance. PDSS will disburse funds accordingly to ensure continuation of adoption assistance services and payments for the targeted population. Motion by Mr. Meeks, and seconded by Mr. Moody, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET ALLOCATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS IN THE FY 2013-14 SOCIAL SERVICES FUND FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE ADOPTION ASSISTANCE SERVICES AND PAYMENTS." Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Wright Nays: None 14 - 120 -Adoption of an ordinance to amend the FY 2013-14 Capital Improvement Budget by authorizing the transfer of $539,734 within the FY 2013-14 Capital Improvement Fund to the Midtown Corridor Project (Turnpike Road improvements) and the Public Safety Radio Project. Vision Principle: Efficient, Responsive Government. Background: • The City must amend the FY 2014 Capital Improvement Budget (CIP) to cover the funding needs for certain Capital Projects. Discussion: • CIP funds need to be transferred to the Midtown Corridor Project (Turnpike Road Improvements) and the Public Safety Radio Project from the HVAC Replacement 1846 Courthouse Project and Contingency.