Subject: Funding Opportunity: Disseminate to Service Providers

On August 9, 2010, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services announced the availability of up to $250 million in grants for the " New Access Point" program to deliver primary health care services for underserved and vulnerable populations under the Health Center Program. This grant can address the health care needs of the homeless population in your community.

Announcement Number: HRSA-11-017
CFDA Number: 93.527
$250,000,000
Average Award Level: $650,000
Estimated number of awards: 350 nationally Application Deadline: November 17, 2010 Est. Award Date: August 1, 2011 Grant Period: Up to 2 years.

A new access point is a new full time service delivery site that provides comprehensive primary and preventative health care services.

Organizations eligible to apply include public or nonprofit private entities, including tribal, faith-based and community based organizations, who meet the health center funding requirements. Current HRSA grantees may apply, as well as organizations applying for the first time

For details, go the the internet site for the Health Resources and Services Administration at: www.grants.hrsa.gov

Subject: Request for assistance with funding opportunity

As many of you know, when grant opportunities come up, the time to respond is very minimal. We have identified a grant opportunity offered by the Dept. of Health and Human Services that could provide Tri-County with resources to train and hire 50 men and women over a three year period. They would be employed in our food service operation, which would prepare them to work in the community as well. We have provided similar services in Highlands County with significant success.

The idea is for us ( with your help), to identify potential employees with little or no job experience. Individuals who are not current with their child support would be high priority. We would utilize our existing case management support system to support the individuals as they gain a positive, paid work experience.

I know I am asking a lot, but I am hoping that you would take a moment to write us a brief letter of support. I will attach a sample letter for your reference. I will need the letter written on your letterhead, and either emailed to me or faxed to our office by 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.

I know it is short notice, and for that I apologize. Like many of you, we are ending our fiscal year, and opening a major new program July 1, so I understand how valuable your time is. I would not ask if this was not such a valuable opportunity for our community. A letter from each of you would show strong community support for this employment opportunity.

Sample Grant Letter.doc

Thank you,
Jacque Henderson

Subject: HPRP Documents Revised!

HPRP grantees and subgrantees are advised that HUD has revised the following two documents:

• Eligibility Determination and Documentation Standards
• Staff Certification of Eligibility for HPRP Assistance

Note: The “Staff Certification” form will replace the Staff Affidavit as of May 1, 2010. Grantees can begin using this new form any time before that date, but as of May 1st, the Staff Affidavit should no longer be used. Grantees and subgrantees do not need to replace existing “Staff Affidavit” forms currently maintained in program participant files.

Subject: Final HMIS Data Standards Released

The final revised HMIS Data Standards have now been released. These final Standards reflect the public comments that HUD received on a set of draft Data Standards, which were released in July 2009. The new HMIS Data Standards incorporate the interim Data Standards for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) published in June 2009, and replace Sections 2 (Universal Data Elements) and Section 3 (Program-Specific Data Elements) of the 2004 HMIS Data and Technical Standards. All other sections of the 2004 notice, such as the privacy and security standards, remain in effect.

Additionally, HUD has developed a Worksheet that compares the Revised Standards with the Standards released in 2004. You may view this Worksheet from the second link below.

• Final HMIS Data Standards
• Data Standards Comparison Worksheet

Subject: FL-516 CoC Meeting, Feburary 19, 2010

I wanted to remind everyone about the CoC meeting scheduled for Friday Morning ( 2/19/2010 ). We will meet at 10 A.M in Room 1 of the Chain of Lakes Convention Center 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd. , Winter Haven . Please use the South Entrance.

Mr. John Hopkins of the VA service office will join us to tell us about an important event that is being planned for Homeless Vets of Polk County. He is hoping we will participate as well, but he plans to provide food, clothing, health screenings, vets information, etc. It sounds as if this event will be a wonderful opportunity for us to refer vets to VA linked services, and for us to outreach as well.

There will be other items on the agenda as well. I hope you will be able to attend!

Have a great week!

Subject: CDBG Public Meeting - Monday, January 25, 2010

Please see the attached notice of the City of Lakeland’s annual public meeting for the review of CDBG and Home funds.

If you need more information, please call Connie Robinson at 834-3363 or Annie Gibson at 834-3362.

Subject: Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program

In order to receive financial assistance or services funded by HPRP, individuals and families, whether homeless or housed, must at least meet the following minimum criteria:

• Any individual or family provided with financial assistance through HPRP must have at least an initial consultation with a case manager or other authorized representative who can determine the appropriate type of assistance to meet their needs. Case managers will refer persons ineligible for HPRP to the appropriate resources or service provider that can assist them.
• The household must be at or below 50 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
• The household must be either homeless or at risk of losing its housing and meet both of the following circumstances:
• no appropriate subsequent housing options have been identified; AND
• the household lacks the financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in its existing housing.

It is important to note that HPRP is not a mortgage assistance program.

To read more about Polk County's Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program click here.

Subject: New affordable apartment community for seniors 62+

Lakeland Housing Authority’s, The Manor at West Bartow, is a brand new affordable 100-unit independent apartment community for seniors 62+ featuring 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. The Manor will host Polk County’s Fellowship Dining Program which offers congregate meals that assist individuals 60+ to enjoy better health through improved nutrition and socialization.

The Manor is an income based section 8 property where the resident will pay no more than 30% of their adjusted gross income. Also, if you have a caretaker/live-in aide, the live-in aide’s income doesn’t count, and you may qualify for a 2-bedroom apartment. Lakeland Housing Authority is currently leasing up the apartments. The address of the development is 850 N. Gordon Avenue, Bartow, Florida 33830. Please contact (863) 533-9101 for information.

Subject: HB 287, 2010, A bill to be entitled

An act relating to homelessness; amending ss. 420.621, 420.622, 420.623, 420.624, and 420.625, F.S.; requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to create lead agencies for the homeless for certain purposes; transferring responsibilities and powers of local coalitions for the homeless to lead agencies for the homeless; conforming provisions; amending s. 683.325, F.S.; conforming terminology; providing an effective date.  Read more...

Subject: National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

We are declaring November 15 – 21, 2009 as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in the city of Lakeland. The National Coalition of Homeless and National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness have sponsored National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

The proclamation will be read on October 19, 2009 at 9 a.m. at the commissioner’s meeting on the 3rd floor of Lakeland’s City Hall. The more providers and advocates for the homeless that stand in unison for this proclamation will certainly help make a great impact for our society.

Thanks in advance and for all you do,

Subject: Closure of EFAHP applications memo 8-10-09

The number of families applying for help under the Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program in the first 30 days of funding exceeded 7,000 applicants. The budget for the program can assist 4,000 families.  Read more...

Subject: Help folks get approved for SSI/SSDI

Free Training for Social Security Applicants

There will be a free training held on September 14 for individuals who may qualify for Social Security Income and/or Social Security Disability Income. The target audience for this training is individuals who have a disabling mental illness such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or any other severe mental illness that is medically diagnosable. Those eligible to attend the training must live within the city limits of Lakeland and may bring a friend or relative to assist them or may send a representative on their behalf if they are unable to attend.

Participants will receive a detailed book and personal instruction on the Social Security application process. This application method routinely produces faster results with a high approval rate for applicants, without the need of consulting an attorney. The training will last all day, Sept. 14 and will be held at a location on Edgewood Drive. Participants will not complete the application process during the training, but will learn how to gather the documents and answer the questions needed to complete the application. The class size is limited. To register or for more information call NAMI Polk County at 863-533-4411.

The training is offered by NAMI Polk County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in collaboration with Peace River Center, the City of Lakeland and United Way of Central Florida.

Attachment: SSI SSDI ap training announcement.pdf

Subject: Job Fair

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez and Congressman Adam H. Putnam are pleased to present an

Subject: Help with rent or mortgage---DCF

Do You or Someone You Know Need Help with Rent or Mortgage?

The DCF Office on Homelessness will begin accepting Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program (EFAHP) applications on July 6, 2009.

Please do not send applications to the program until 8:30 a.m. Monday, July 6. Any applications received before that time will be denied.

Application Guidelines:

• The household must have at least one child under 18 years of age living there full-time.
• The application must be filled out completely, including Social Security numbers for all family members; monthly income from all sources; a written explanation of the housing emergency; and the signature of the applicant.
• The one-page Vendor Agreement must be completed and signed by the landlord, mortgage company or property owner.
• If the case is approved, a State of Florida check will be mailed directly to the landlord, mortgage company or property owner.
• The program can pay up to $400 once per year for overdue rent or mortgage payments, or for security deposit for a household that is homeless, being evicted, or whose housing has been damaged by fire, hurricane or other natural disaster.

Applications are available online in English, Spanish and Creole at:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/homelessness/ or by calling 1-877-891-6445
Fax applications to 1-850-921-2559 or mail to:

Department of Children and Families
Office on Homelessness
1317 Winewood Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700

If you have questions, please call 1-877-891-6445

Subject: Free Back-to-School Immunizations

Avoid the Rush!

FREE Back to School Immunizations

BARTOW – The Immunizations Program office of the Polk County Health Department will be providing, for a limited time, school immunizations FREE of charge at the Specialty Care Building in Bartow located at 1255 Brice Blvd on Thursdays from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm on the following dates:

To schedule an appointment, call (863) 519-8242 x 1206. Appointments are encouraged.

For more information on FREE School Immunizations and back to school immunization requirements contact the Polk County Health Department Immunizations Program Office at (863) 519-8242.

Subject: Requirements for Obtaining State ID Cards

It is hard to get around in modern-day America without some form of identification. Banks, libraries, and government agencies almost always require some kind of proof before services can be obtained.

In the information here, we have posted the various requirements for obtaining a state-issued identity card in all 50 states. Readers should review them carefully before going to the state agency that issues the ID cards. Read more ...

Subject: Open House

As you are a vital part of our community, we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us at our Open House. We believe our shelter would be an additional resource for you.

Please see the attached press release giving the details on date and time. We look forward to seeing you there!

Subject: Fw: Notification of Emergency Food and Shelter ARRA (Stimulus) Funding

Thanks to David Raymond for this information on the stimulus funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

Subject: Fw: Veterans' Reintegration Grants

The Urban and Non-Urban Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grant has $12,000,000 in funding available with 12-21 anticipated awards. Anticipated award amounts will vary from $75,000 to $300,000 for one year. There is no match requirement.

This competition is open to State and Local Workforce Investment Boards, local public agencies, for-profit/commercial entities, and 501C3 non-profit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations.

For more information about the Urban and Non-Urban Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) Grants visit http://www.dol.gov/vets/grants/main.htm

Subject: PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Department of Children and Families, Circuit 10 (consisting of Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties) will conduct an informational meeting with representatives and/or members of agencies, coalitions and/or individuals who are currently providing homeless services or who may be interested in providing homeless services to local citizens in the near future. The general public is also invited.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide a general overview of the Florida’s Grant-In-Aid program pursuant to 420.625 Florida Statute and Circuit 10’s proposed application process for potential recipients who may wish to apply for fiscal year 2009-2010 Grant-in-Aid funds. This is an informational meeting and the Department is seeking feedback regarding the proposed application process. This is not a solicitation for offers.

Click here for Advertisement Detail.

Subject: NCHE Webinar on McKinney-Vento and HUD Collaboration

Please see attachment regarding a webinar to provide a basic overview of HPRP eligible grantees, eligible activities, and eligible recipients, as well as important timelines for applications and contracts. Space is limited to 35 participants.