AGENDA #1f

MEMORANDUM

TO:	Mayor and Town Council
FROM:	Human Services Advisory Board Larry Daquioag, Chair
SUBJECT:	Budget Work Session Fiscal Year 2007-2008
DATE:	February 28, 2007

The Human Services Advisory Board appreciates the Town Council’s past support for human service agencies serving Chapel Hill residents. We believe that through this support, the Town is helping to ensure that access to services is available to all residents, especially those less likely to be served due to economic conditions or other factors.  

The Human Services Advisory Board began the funding process for fiscal year 2007-2008 with an informational meeting on January 25, 2007. The meeting was held for agencies interested in applying for funds from the Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro and/or Orange County. Since applications are not due to the Town until March 2, the Board cannot yet report on the level of requests and needs for this year. We expect to provide the Council with specific information in April when we submit a recommendation for the total funding level.

For fiscal year 2006-2007, the Council allocated a total of $225,000 to assist 43 agencies. The highest allocation is $25,000 which supports the Middle School After School Program for Chapel Hill students. The smallest allocation is $1000 with eight agencies funded at that level currently. For many agencies, the Town support makes it possible to provide services to low income residents. Also, demonstration of local support often helps agencies leverage other funds.

The following are examples of services these funds have helped support from July to December 2006:

• The Middle School After School program enrolled 450 students in after school activities at Culbreth, Phillips and Smith Middle schools.
• Thirty-four families received adult day care services at Charles House.
• Orange County Rape Crisis Center provided client support services to 57 people.
• Substance abuse services were provided to 198 Chapel Hill residents at Freedom House Recovery Center.
• El Futuro, provided 83 Chapel Hill residents with mental health services.

The Human Services Advisory Board appreciates the opportunity to meet with the Town Council about the budget process. In the Board’s view, support for human service agencies is one of the important services the Town provides to the community. We ask the Council to continue to support these valuable programs and ask that the current level of $225,000 be increased to $250,000 for 2007-2008.

Human Services Advisory Board

William Powers; Chair

Glenn Gerding; Vice-Chair

Virginia Brown

Norm Fieleke

Ernie Roberts