2017-477-E Finance - Community Empowerment Fund - Outside Agency Performance Agreement

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DocuSign Envelope ID: 5D25D6E0-716B-4244-AEA3-02E6A45FD852 EXHIBIT A PROVIDER'S OUTSIDE AGENCY APPLICATION Program Description (3 pages OR LESS) Please provide the following information about the proposed program: d) Summarize the program services proposed and how the program will address a Town/County priority/goal? Recognizing the need for wrap-around support and the varied circumstances of homeless and near- homeless individuals, CEF's day-to-day operations serve as a one-stop center for individuals and families to connect to comprehensive help. Advocates assist our members with: • Employment: Building resumes, applying for jobs, acquiring interview attire, gaining soft skills, upgrading knowledge, expunging criminal records, and connecting with employers • Financial Capability and Financial Services: Opening bank accounts, building budgets, monitoring expenses, planning for the future, setting savings goals, building credit • Housing: Searching for housing, communicating effectively with landlords, acquiring deposit/move-in assistance, paying bills on time, reducing utility expenses • Community Resources: Connecting to public benefits and to partner agencies to assist with basic needs, emergency food, mental health services, and primary and acute health care These activities combine to create personalized pathways out of acute crisis situations towards greater financial security. In order to best assist members in achieving independence, our advocates continue to support members before, during and after transitions out of homelessness, enabling us to help members realize longer-term dreams of financial stability and security. The CEF Advocate Program is an active, person-centered approach to ending the homelessness of individuals in our local community, and as such, is meeting the Town/County priority of providing safety-net services for disadvantaged residents. e) Describe the community need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Chapel Hill Human Services Needs Assessment, Orange County BOCC Goals and Priorities, Town of Chapel Hill Council Goals, Carrboro Board Priorities, or other community priorities (i.e. Council/Board Goals). Reference local data (using the provided links, i.e. Chapel Hill Human Services Needs Assessment) to support the need for this program. In the Chapel Hill Human Services Needs Assessment, stakeholders identified "coordination, wrap-around care, and assistance navigating the system" as key strategies to addressing unmet needs. This recommendation was based on the general consensus that "existing human services were unknown, uncoordinated, and therefore inaccessible," resulting in a situation in which "many people do not receive the services they need because they are `unaware' of the full array of services available or do not know how to navigate `fragmented' service systems." Additionally, in the Town of Chapel Hill Affordable Housing Strategy, CEF's work is directly in line with the Town's goals of promoting financial and housing independence for low-income families and transitioning those in shelter to affordable accommodations. Meanwhile, the first goal of the Orange County BOCC is to "ensure a community network of basic human services and infrastructure that maintains, protects, and promotes the well-being of all county residents." By focusing on the lowest income households in our community, CEF is a key piece of this network in our county. Finally, the Board of the Town of Carrboro sets out to "develop innovative approaches to support the community, particularly with regard to housing, ...". This is a central, shared priority of CEF. f) Who is your target population of individuals to benefit from this program and how will they be identified and connected with the program? CEF works with a significantly disadvantaged population. Descriptive characteristics of the CEF member population include: • 72% of members are homeless upon intake • 100% of members earn below 50% of area median income (vast majority <30% AMI) PROGRAM INFORMATION 1/31/2017 11:04:24 AM Page 10 or 25