AGENDA #5a

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            Human Services Advisory Board

SUBJECT:       2005 Human Services Needs Report

DATE:             January 10, 2005

INTRODUCTION

Each year the Human Services Advisory Board presents a report to advise the Town Council on human service needs for Chapel Hill residents.

BACKGROUND

The Chapel Hill Human Services Advisory Board, created in 1981, is charged with the responsibility of assessing and updating the human service needs of Chapel Hill and alerting the Town Council about changes in these needs. The Board facilitates a request for proposals process and invites local human service agencies to apply for Town funds to serve Chapel Hill residents. 

The Board reviews 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 40 nonprofit agencies to address identified human service needs.   

RECOMMENDATIONS

Human Services Advisory Board evaluation:

Last fall, the UNC Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program accepted a proposal by the Board requesting an evaluation of the Board’s procedures and effectiveness in carrying out its charge. Specifically, the Board asked for an evaluation of its approach to the allocation process. The student group that completed the project reviewed the purpose of the board and the current allocation process. Students interviewed local government officials and surveyed local nonprofit agencies. The project included a comparative study of seven college towns similar to Chapel Hill that used a citizen board system to recommend allocations.

The findings of the study provided useful information for the Board’s review. Results confirmed the value of the Board’s work and also the importance of the partnerships with local nonprofit agencies. The struggle each year to ensure a fair, efficient and effective allocation process is shared by the survey respondents from other municipalities like Chapel Hill. Recommendations from the project as well as the survey results will be discussed by the Board in the coming months and implemented as appropriate.

Recommendations for 2005-2006:

Agencies serving the residents of Chapel Hill continue to struggle for funding. Budget reductions from federal, State and foundation sources are challenging agencies to find ways to maintain current levels of programs and staffing. Services to low-income residents can be the most difficult to fund and are often the most essential need in a community. The Board believes that the allocations the Town provides are vital to the local human service agencies and benefit Chapel Hill residents. The Board appreciates the Town support for local human services, especially during difficult budget years, and urges the Town Council to continue to find ways to support agencies.

The following priority needs identified in the past few years continue to be compelling concerns to the Board and will guide the Board in forming recommendations for funding this year:    

· Family and individual support toward self-sufficiency

· Services for at-risk youth

· Substance abuse treatment/prevention and mental health services

The Board will continue to focus the recommendations on programs that provide the best outcomes. The Board recognizes the importance of the Town’s support and strives to distribute funds toward services that directly benefit Chapel Hill residents.

2005 Human Services Advisory Board 

William Powers; Chair

Julie Pace; Vice-Chair

Virginia Brown

Larry Daquioag

Glenn Gerding

Ernie Roberts

Gary Wallach