AGENDA #5a

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            Human Services Advisory Board

SUBJECT:       2004 Human Services Needs Report

DATE:             January 26, 2004

INTRODUCTION

Each year the Human Services Advisory Board presents a Needs Report to the Town Council to identify the most important human service needs for Chapel Hill residents.

BACKGROUND

The Chapel Hill Human Services Advisory Board, created in 1981, is charged with the responsibility of keeping the Town Council informed about human service needs pertinent to Chapel Hill citizens. The Board facilitates a request for proposals and invites local human service agencies to present program plans for Chapel Hill residents. 

The Human Services Advisory Board works cooperatively with Orange County and the Town of Carrboro to utilize a combined application process for human service agencies. Joint hearings with the Town of Carrboro permit service providers to present proposals to both towns simultaneously.

The Board meets to discuss the agency proposals and prepares recommendations to the Town Council on funding levels for local human service agencies. Last year, the Council approved Town allocations totaling $206,000 for 37 nonprofit agencies to address identified human service needs.   

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Human Services Advisory Board continues to evaluate the process for determining needs and making funding recommendations to the Council. This fall, the Board submitted two proposals to UNC’s Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) program requesting student groups to assist with a needs assessment and/or evaluation of the Board’s procedures. One proposal requested the students develop an assessment of human service needs for Chapel Hill residents. The Board seeks a method to evaluate human service needs that is sustainable from year to year. The other proposal to the MPA program asked that the students evaluate the Board’s effectiveness in carrying out its charge. Specifically, the Board seeks an evaluation of its approach to the allocation process. If either of the proposals is accepted the Board expects to receive a report by the beginning of May, 2004.

Budget cuts continue to create hardships for the nonprofit agencies in our local community.  Agency leaders report that reductions in funds from many sources have caused some agencies to lose staff positions and/or scale back services. Reductions from the Triangle United Way and private donors as well as increased competition for corporate/foundation grants are obstacles to maintaining service levels.  State funding for human services that supports many programs has not improved in the first half of this fiscal year. In addition, these same economic factors generate problems for residents of our community that often lead to the need for assistance from agencies. Unemployment or low wages contribute to a range of needs from monetary aid to substance abuse problems. Priority needs identified in the last few years continue to be valid for this year:    

· Family and individual support toward self-sufficiency

· Services for at-risk youth

· Substance abuse treatment/prevention and mental health services

The Board also follows the efforts agencies are making to ensure services are available to the increasing Latino population.

2004 Human Services Advisory Board members

Lew Borman; Chair                 

William Powers; Vice-Chair

Larry Daquioag

Julie Pace

Ernie Roberts

Gary Wallach