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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
DATE: JUNE 21, 2022
FROM: HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT
WITH JMH-ANAHEIM FOUNDATION, INC., DOING BUSINESS
AS LOVE ANAHEIM, TO EXPAND THE PROJECT SCOPE
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 08
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1. Approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with JMh-Anaheim Foundation Inc., doing business as Love Anaheim, for an amount not to exceed $500,000 annually for the Better Way Anaheim Project to coordinate resources, bridge organizations, provide homeless participants with service projects, and a skills development program; and
2. Authorize and direct the City Manager or designee to execute and administer the Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
The City and JMh-Anaheim Foundation, Inc. entered into an agreement to create Better Way Anaheim (BWA), which is an innovative program that offers voluntary community service projects as a means of providing a bridge to workforce training and employment services for persons experiencing homelessness. The program began in December 2017 as a pilot and since its inception has served nearly 2,000 participants. At least once a week, up to 20 individuals perform service projects and maintenance activities at Anaheim parks, public facilities, and Anaheim streets. Opportunities to become engaged in these service projects are currently offered to persons who are staying at the Salvation Army shelter in Anaheim or engaged with other homeless service providers. Once enrolled, BWA works to connect participants to Chrysalis and other service programs to support participants as they take their next steps to end their homelessness and improve their lives.
The current agreement with BWA was approved by Council in June 2021 with a one year term with two optional one year renewals. Given the success of the program since 2017, staff is seeking to amend the not to exceed amount from $279,225 to $500,000 annually for one year with an option to extend for one additional year. The increase in funds will support an expanded scope of work that includes an increase in the number of Approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with JMh-Anaheim Inc., doing business as Love Anaheim, to expand the project scope
June 21, 2022
service projects offered, supports the hiring of a program manager to coordinate the projects, and also allows for further development of skill building programming.
When the BWA program first launched in 2017, programming was primarily focused on providing service projects. Continued engagement with participants has allowed for an increased understanding of needs. As a result, in 2021, the BWA Job Opportunity and Skills Development Program was launched to enhance services. This unique program seeks to provide a bridge to employment by providing expanded opportunities to participate in service projects, life skills education, job coaching, and connections to other services.
The enhanced BWA program provides an individual with service opportunities and skills development as outlined below:
Compensation through employment (a paycheck) or by providing a “Gift Card Pack” (approximately a $60-70 value) to each participant upon completion of the 4–5 hour project.
Comprehensive program management.
Program Supervisor for the program as a whole and for each service project to accompany the participants.
Life Skills Curriculum that will be imbedded into the service projects so that a 15-hour Life Skills Certificate can be achieved by participating in the program. Life Skills Coaches and Jobs Coaches.
Network of Anaheim companies, businesses, employers, and contractors who are willing to identify and contribute jobs for participants completing the Job Opportunity and Skills Development Program.
The costs associated with funding BWA will be funded by Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding that the City has received from the State.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding for the first year of the BWA program will be provided through the HHAP grant state funding. Future year renewals will be subject to Council’s approval of budget appropriations.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Ruiz-Stepter
Director of Housing & Community Development
Attachments:
1. First Amendment
2. Agreement