Title:
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Approve the recommended funding allocations to the agencies listed for Community Services Agency (CSA) Partnership Grant funds in the amount of $842,115 for FY 26/27 and authorize the Chairman to execute the CSA Grant Agreements and any amendments upon agency execution. Countywide (Allison Thall, Community Services Director)
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Division:
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Community Services - Community Assistance
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Authorized By:
Allision Thall, Community Services Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Carrie Longsworth/407-665-2389
Background:
The Community Service Agency (CSA) Partnership Grant program was initiated by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to improve the quality of life for Seminole County residents by collaborating with community-based organizations to meet the social services needs within the County. The CSA Partnership Program provides general revenue funds to eligible qualified non-profit organizations that meet federal and state tax exemption requirements and have been in existence for a minimum of three years.
On April 23, 2024, the BCC approved updating the CSA process by dividing the CSA funding into two allotments: one for shelters and the other for non-profits providing services other than shelter beds and adopting priority funding for those agencies providing a top service identified in the 2024 Community Needs Assessment (CNA). The top needs identified in the CNA were childcare, mental health services, homeless services, food, utilities, and rental assistance/subsidy. Those agencies providing one of the top CNA services received an additional 15 bonus points in scoring and ranking after the review committee completed their evaluation of the applications.
On April 12, 2026, a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was published in the Orlando Sentinel advertising application availability for the CSA program FY26/27. The CSA Review Committee, an independent panel of six (6) County staff, was selected to review and score all applications. The results were reviewed and tallied, and recommendations were submitted to the Department Director for approval prior to submission to the Board of County Commissioners.
The total FY26/27 CSA funding requested is $842,115 with fifty percent ($421,115) of the funding being dedicated to shelters (Rescue Outreach Mission, SafeHouse of Seminole, Recovery House, and BoysTown). The remaining balance of $421,000 is allocated to non-profit providers serving other community needs.
Seminole County received sixteen (16) applications for funding. The top five (5) scoring agencies (six (6) agencies in total due to a tied score for the number five spot); Early Learning Coalition, Meals on Wheels, The Sharing Center, Boys and Girls Clubs, IMPOWER, and New Hope for Kids are recommended for funding receiving approximately 69% of their total request.
Requested Action:
Staff requests the Board approve the recommended funding allocations to the agencies listed for Community Services Agency (CSA) Partnership Grant funds in the amount of $842,115 for FY 26/27 and authorize the Chairman to execute the CSA Grant Agreements and any amendments upon agency execution.