Title:
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Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Sharing Center Street Outreach Agreement in the amount $63,000 to continue providing outreach, engagement and assessment services for the Seminole County homeless population. 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:
Allison Thall, Community Services Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Carrie Longsworth/407-665/2389
Background:
In 2016, through participation in the local Continuum of Care (CoC) and based on the community need identified by the Seminole Action Board, Seminole County began funding street outreach services to engage with the literally homeless population and provide a conduit to the Coordinated Entry System and housing programs available in the community. In July 2025, the Community Services Department released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) seeking a partner agency to provide street outreach services. Three agencies responded to the NOFA: The Sharing Center, SALT, and Pathway Homes and the applications were reviewed and scored by an internal review committee. The Sharing Center has been selected as the highest scoring agency application and has partnered with the County in the past to provide other homeless services. With the Sharing Center’s drop-in center (the Oasis) this is a natural expansion of their current outreach services.
Approval of this agreement will provide funding for one full-time street outreach staff. The Sharing Center will work with the FL 507 Coordinated Entry System (CES) administered by the Homeless Services Network. This will help expand and keep consistent contact with the homeless population in Seminole County. Through the use of coordinated entry, the Sharing Center will help find and address the specific needs of the unhoused population and connect them to services and opportunities with the goal of providing permanent housing for the homeless.
Requested Action:
Staff request the Board approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Sharing Center Street Outreach Agreement Fiscal Year 2025-2026 in the amount of $63,000 to increase outreach, engagement, and assessments for Seminole County homeless population.