2010-035 Housing - Consultant Services Agreement - William Frank Newton Inc. signed 3/10/2010

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RESPONSE TO 2010-2015 CONSOLIDA7EDPLAN -DECEMBER 2009 1) Srrb»art A: General Prot~~c~rn Overview and Definitions - ~ 91.I Over the past 38 years, WFN, Inc. has worked with federal, state and local government grant programs in Metro-Atlanta, in particular, Cobb County, Georgia [since 1982], Gwinnett County, Georgia [since 1986] and Clayton County, Georgia [since 1998]. The overarching focus of the firm has been to ensure that services are provided to the taxpayers in the most efficient and cost effective manner. As stewards of the public trust, WFN, Inc. strives to maintain a balanced and fair approach in all of its grant management activities. We are dedicated to program integration and simplification, resulting in a streamlined approach to program administration with acost-conscious management process. WFN, Inc. believes that it is not necessary to create additions[ functional entities each time a new federal and state grant program is introduced. By combining resources to address similar needs, eliminating duplication of personnel and equipment and developing relevant processes, we are able to reduce administrative costs. This approach allows mote grant dollars to fund the actual facilities and services, thus serving more citizens. This approach has served our clients well. WFN, Inc. provides expert advice and up-to-date information to its clients to ensure that ptogratns are effectively implemented in a timely manner. The complexities of various grant programs require multiple reporting formats to provide status reports and grant activities at many levels. WFN, inc. provides ap-to-date information on all on-going projects to clients in a monthly management report along with monthly meetings to discuss program progress with the appropriate County-liaison staff. WFN, Ina has provided all aspects of program planning, design, implementation, and administration services for HUD-funded grant programs. This includes the preparation of each jurisdiction's Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan pteparatiar and submission to HUD. 2) Subpart B• Citizen Pmtici»ation and Consultation - ¢ 91.100 WFN, Inc. will collaborate with the agencies that provide: housing and social services; fair housing services; homeless services; health services; chronically homeless services; Lead-based Paint services, as well as collaborate with adjacent State [non-housingj, County, metropolitan planning agencies and the local public housing authority. WFN, Inc. will also collaborate with neighborhood- serving organizations located with the Orange County HOME Consortium. In addition to services required as Program Management Consultants for Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett and Henry Counties and the City of Dalton, WFN, Inc. has also performed the following tasks: 1. Creation of the Cobb Collaborative jA group of over 40 non-profits and public service agencies that works with community organizations to facilitate the sharing of ideas, expertise and resources to meet the needs and resolve issues to assist ail individuals, famiiics and communities in Cobb County]; 2. Interaction with the Cla}'ton Collaborative and Gwinnett County Human Services Coalition; 3.A-td, meets regularly with Chairmen, County and City Managers and liaison personnel with grantee agencies. In order to maximize citizen participation, WFN, Inc. will conduct Public Hearings, a Fair Housing Survey and a Nerds Assessment Survey for residents, non-profits, and community advocates. WFN, Inc. will interview local non-profit housing and non-housing agencies serving the Orange County HOME Consortium.