Minutes 10/28/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 28, 2014 Background: • The Commonwealth of Virginia via the Department of Social Services has allocated funds to assist agencies in reducing foster care placements and to support families in crisis. The amount awarded to the Portsmouth Department of Social Services (PDSS) is $3,700. Discussion: • Respite care is a family support service designed to offer short-term relief to families of at risk youth who are in need of therapeutic intervention. The purpose of respite care for families is to reduce out of home placements while providing a safe haven for the child. Services may be provided on an emergency or planned basis. Well planned and carried out respite services reduces stress and promotes the safety, well- being, and stability of families. • PDSS has thirty-five (35) foster homes capable of providing respite care services. • Respite care services may be provided for a maximum of fourteen (14) days per year, per family. Financial Impact: • There is no match requirement for this award; thus no financial impact will be imposed upon the General Fund. • The award will be utilized by PDSS based upon the department's ability to disperse these funds for respite services. Sixty percent (60%) or $2,220 of the award was made available to the department during the month of September 2014. The remaining forty percent (40%) or $1,480 will become available in January 2015. 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: • Services will be implemented. Motion by Mr. Meeks, and seconded by Ms. Psimas, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING IN THE FY 2014-15 SOCIAL SERVICES FUND THE SUM OF $3,700 ALLOCATED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE PORTSMOUTH DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO FUND RESPITE CARE SERVICES." Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Wright Nays: None 14 - 410 -Adoption of an ordinance accepting a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Virginia Department of Health in the amount of $389,976 and appropriating said funds in the FY 2014-15 Grants Fund for the Child and Adult Care Food Program Kids Meals Program Grant. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Background: • The City of Portsmouth has received a grant through the Virginia Department of Health from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Kids Meals Program effective September 2014 administered by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services. • The program provides an evening snack and a dinner meal at the four (4) Recreation Centers, three (3) Day Treatment Facilities and at eleven (11) 6 TO SIX sites during the school year when children are in school, and therefore may not otherwise receive a nutritious meal.