Minutes 01/12/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 12, 2016 - City Manager’s Report - 16 - 09 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting funding from the United States Department of Agriculture through the Virginia Department of Social Services in the amount of $9,030 and appropriating said amount in the FY 2015-16 Social Services Fund for the purpose of funding costs under the EleVAte SNAP Employment and Training Project. Vision Principles: A Robust Economy for Working Men and Women, Quality of Life and Lifelong Learning Community. Background:  In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that up to $200 million for the development, implementation, and evaluation of up to 10 pilot projects designed to reduce dependency and increase work effort under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under the 2014 Farm Bill.  On April 1, 2015, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) was awarded the SNAP Employment and Training Grant Project to pilot an effort to test existing and new employment training initiatives to increase the number of SNAP work registrants who obtain unsubsidized employment, increase earned income, and reduce reliance on public assistance.  As part of the state’s “Building Career Pathways to Success” and “Expansion of the PluggedinVA” programs, VDSS selected up to thirty Local Departments of Social Services to work with seven community colleges to offer 3,760 participants the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials.  The Portsmouth Department of Social Services (PDSS) has been selected as an agency to participate in this program. Discussion:  On November 10, 2015, City Council adopted an ordinance to accept and appropriated $20,000 to fund a position to support the grant activates.  Portsmouth Department of Social Services was notified on November 19, 2015 that an additional amount of $1,530 was award to cover salary expenses related to the position.  In addition, the state award a total of $7,500 to cover the cost of needed equipment, such as a computer, supplies and travel costs. Financial Impact  There will not be a financial impact to the City since the program is funded 100% by (USDA/FNS). Recommended Action:  Accept the grant to participate in the Pilot EleVAte SNAP Employment and Training Project. Vision Principle: A Robust Economy for Working Men and Women, Quality of Life and Lifelong Learning Community. Next Steps Following Council Action:  Accept the funds from the United States Department of Agriculture/food and Nutrition Services. Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Dr. Edmonds, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: ORDINANCE ACCEPTING FUNDING FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT “ OF AGRICULTURE THROUGH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,030 AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2015-16 SOCIAL SERVICES FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING COSTS UNDER THE ELEVATE SNAP EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROJECT. .” Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Wright Nays: None