Title
Resolution Approving the City of Hampton, Virginia's Participation in and Appropriation of the Employment for TANF Participants BEN-19-024 grant through Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this resolution is to accept and appropriate federal funds to permit proven service approaches and strategies that help current and former participants of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and those citizens with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (TANF), with a child, to prepare to enter and maintain employment with the prospect of a career path and wage growth.
The intent is to provide resources to expand and enhance existing service delivery efforts that address more fully the needs of the targeted population. Comprehensive assessments will be completed that help identify strengths, diagnose disabilities, and determine treatments and accommodations required. Intensive work preparedness and other unique services that will assist individuals with retaining employment will be provided.
Discussion:
The purpose of the Employment for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Participants BEN-19-024 is to provide expanded services and support customer specific needs, by establishing career path service plans to include assessments, education and unique responses to customer needs.
The City of Hampton Community Snapshot demographics (2017) reports a population of 137,467, with an average family size of 3.08. Residents below the poverty line (at some point in 2017) was reported to be 15.9%. Hampton consistently has higher levels of poverty than Hampton Roads (for the region in 2017 it was 12.3%), and numbers for both Hampton and the region are on the rise. Households below the poverty line not meeting ALICE criteria (2016) was reported to be 57%. ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) is a measure of working families and individuals who earn more than the official Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living. 57% of Hampton households are either below the poverty line, or more likely living paycheck to paycheck, versus only 41% of households in Virginia. The number has gone up over the past six years.
Unemployment was reported to be 6.5%. Unemployment levels were reported to be almost back to pre-recession levels, although the region consistently has lower unemployment levels than Hampton. Hampton had a fiscal stress rank of 14th out of 133 Virginia localities (lower rank = higher stress). Fiscal stress indicated a locality's ability to generate additional local revenues. Across the state, cities are under greater stress than counties. Hampton is considered high stress, and its ranking has stayed consistent over the last decade. (Source of Data: Census, American Community Survey, Virginia Department of Education, United Way (ALICE), City leaders embrace the fact that "Hampton is a lot more than our demographics. It's where we call home". We are a grateful city that collaborates to create a vision that is inclusive and is attentive to issues across a spectrum from circumstances of poverty, to strategies that build community wealth.
A poverty rate of 15.9% signals a need in our community to offer greater opportunities to citizens who are dependent on government assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
The required local share of $25,649.96 equals 10%. The match is at 10% in lieu of 25% because the City of Hampton has been identified as a city in Virginia with high fiscal stress as defined by the Commission on Local Government. The award amount was $230,849.60. for a total grant amount of $256,499.56
Impact:
This grant creates a process that will have a positive impact for citizens who are dependent upon the government assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It supports local government in continuing to break down the silos and invites everyone to participate in the conversation, whether their primary role in the city is to address poverty or to build community wealth. It further allows for laser-like focus on where those opportunities exist, and how to leverage them. Hampton is committed to unleashing potential in all of its citizens.
The Hampton Department of Human Services and the Hampton Department of Economic Development will take the lead in implementing this initiative that creates one team, the TANF Assessment and Planning Team. A team that proposes a service delivery approach that will address the need to integrate services and disciplines throughout the community to assess and address barriers to economic stability and mobility so that we reduce the number of households at or below the poverty line.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families has awarded a subgrant award, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF), referenced as the Employment for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Participants BEN-19-024 to the Virginia Department of Social Services; and.
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Social Services has awarded the 2020 Employment for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Participants BEN-19-024 grant to the City of Hampton, Virginia in the amount of $230,849.60, with a local match of $25,649.96, totaling $256,499.56.
WHEREAS, the funding awarded covers the period of January 15, 2019, through June 30, 2019, and July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia accepts and appropriates the 2020 Employment for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Participants BEN-19-024 in the total amount of $256,499.56 with a local share of $25,549.96 funded from the Human Services Department in the General Fund, for a total of $256,499.56, and any related supplemental funding, by the Virginia Department of Social Services in accordance with this agreement;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take the necessary steps to implement this award.