SR 08-24-2022 11C
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 24, 2022
Agenda Item: 11.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Andy Agle, Director, Community Services Department, Housing and Human
Services
Subject: Approval of Human Services Grants Program FY 2023-27 Request for
Proposals
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the proposed FY 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP)
Funding Guidelines (Attachment H); and
2. Authorize staff to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the next four-year
HSGP funding cycle (FY 2023-27).
Summary
The City’s Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) is administered through the
Community Services Department (CSD) and funds an array of safety-net programs for
vulnerable and underserved individuals and families in Santa Monica. Services provided
through the City-funded programs include, but are not limited to:
• childcare subsidies;
• school-based mental health services;
• job training and placement;
• food assistance;
• legal services;
• programs for seniors; and
• homeless services.
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HSGP is a key component of the City’s overall efforts to support our community and
provide services that keep vulnerable residents healthy, stable, and housed. With the
next funding cycle scheduled to begin in July 2023, staff is seeking Council approval of
funding guidelines for a future FY 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program along with
authorization to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit applications for the
FY 2023-27 HSGP funding cycle.
This report provides a brief overview of the evolution of the HSGP, including the core
values that have defined the services and responses to community needs over the
years. While individual grants represent a small portion of the local and regional safety
net, as the single largest source of City funds to local non-profit social service agencies,
HSGP has shouldered the burden of community expectations to address wide-ranging
socio-economic policy issues, including youth violence, homelessness, and behavioral
health-related issues, while also being the focus of concerns related to ensuring
transparency and accountability. In acknowledging these concerns, the report outlines
efforts to solicit community input on future funding guidelines including an outcomes
framework, target populations, participant eligibility, agency eligibility, and scoring
criteria, as well as staff recommendations based on feedback. The report also describes
the processes for identifying and securing an expert review panel to score and rank
applications, and recommended guidelines to ensure a well-balanced grant portfolio and
greater transparency. The report concludes with a timeline for the RFP process and the
awarding of funds.
Background
History of Community Grants
The Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) is designed to address critical
community needs and gaps in existing service systems, while also offering funding
stability to local social service agencies. Founded in 1974 as the Community
Development (CD) Program, the grants program has always prioritized funding for:
• programs that document effective services to target populations including
seniors, youth and families, people with disabilities, and other low-income Santa
Monica households;
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• organizations that demonstrate strong interagency coordination; and
• agencies that leverage limited City resources through significant contribution of
non-City funds.
As early as 1976, the City Council established program selection criteria to maximize
the impact of City-funded social service programs, avoid duplication of efforts, and
prioritize high-quality services to Santa Monica residents. What began as four non-
profits has grown, along with Santa Monica’s population and social service needs, into
what is now known as the Human Services Grants Program (HSGP), with an $8 million
budget and portfolio of 19 agencies and 35 programs (in FY2021-22, see June 23, 2020
Staff Report).
FY2021-22 funding sources for the $8 million HSGP include:
• City General Fund $7.57M (94%),
• Federal entitlement and competitive grants $223K (3%) such as the Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) and Continuum of Care (CoC) funds,
• Other local revenue sources $248K (3%) including Proposition A transportation.
The current HSGP grant cycle started in FY 2015-16, when Council approved 4-year
grants for 22 local non-profits (June 23, 2015) at an annual funding level of $8,165,812
(referenced in past council actions). In FY2018-19, Council adopted the Framework for
a Sustainable City of Wellbeing (Attachment G) and departments worked City-wide to
align goals and outcomes. CSD brought in Canavan and Associates —a Cambridge,
MA-based firm with nearly 15 years of experience working at local, state, federal, and
international levels on program engagement and design—to engage the community in a
redesign of HSGP performance measures and outcomes to align with Framework goals.
On January 22, 2019, Council granted a two-year extension to the FY2015-19 grant
cycle to allow time for meaningful community input in advance of a Fall 2020 RFP
release (referenced in past council actions).
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RFP development halted in early 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as
staff shifted to focus on emergency response, working with HSGP grantees to pivot
local services to respond to pandemic needs, and launching two new programs—the
Virginia Avenue Park Food Pantry and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program
(ERAP). Both the City and local agencies adapted to respond to local needs and re-
prioritize and deliver essential services during a time of limited resources and facing an
uncertain future.
Three months into the pandemic, in June 2020, Council adopted a budget for FY2020-
21 that reduced the previously proposed City budget by nearly 25%, including a
decrease of over 12% to the HSGP, resulting in a $1.035M cut to local services to
vulnerable populations (see June 23, 2020 staff report). A Fall 2020 RFP release
became not only unattainable, but unfeasible given the unpredictability of resources and
needs. As a result, on January 26, 2021, Council approved a second two-year
extension to the HSGP funding cycle— acknowledging the particular hardship of
releasing an RFP for a new, multi-year grant cycle mid-pandemic amidst so much
uncertainty and setting the new start date for the next RFP funding cycle for July 1,
2023 (referenced in past council actions). Ultimately, the current grant cycle was never
intended to be eight years. However, the desire to align HSGP with Citywide goals and
outcomes, and then a global pandemic resulted in a prolonged grant cycle, which staff
do not anticipate happening again.
Guiding Principles
The following guiding principles have historically shaped the scope and focus of the
grants program:
• Multi-year funding: Funding equates to services and jeopardizing the availability
of services every cycle creates disruptions in service delivery to people in need.
Program participants need the assurance of knowing that services will be
available for more than a year should they need them. Multi-year funding allows
for stability in hiring and programming and reduces administrative burden so
agencies can focus on service delivery. In 2010, Council approved an extension
of the three-year grant cycle to create a four-year cycle to align with the City’s
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biennial budget process. Staff also renegotiate contracts every year, which
provides an opportunity to revise program plans and pivot to better meet
participant needs, and Council approves agency funding levels annually during
the Budget process. Shorter grant cycles would limit long-range planning, disrupt
services and staffing, and add to agencies’ administrative burden, taking away
from resources needed to develop, implement, and run programs.
• Defined Santa Monica Program Participants (SMPP): HSGP includes a
specific definition of who can be served with City grant funds to ensure local
resources are serving local needs. As one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County, the
City expects local agencies to use regional resources first to serve SMPP. City
funding ensures that SMPP are prioritized by these programs, creating set-aside
slots specifically for Santa Monica eligible households, and allowing flexibility in
services where County funds are more restrictive. City funding is also used to fill
gaps in services for SMPP when non-City funding is fully expended or insufficient
due to time/service limits or eligibility issues.
• Depth of Services Versus Breadth of Services: As the cost of delivering
services has increased over time and the needs of low-income households have
grown more complex, the grants program made intentional changes to focus on
holistic programs that can provide deep levels of support and robust
comprehensive services to a smaller number of highly vulnerable individuals who
are SMPP. This translates into more clinically focused and intensive services (by
licensed and certified staff) over a longer period, as opposed to providing light-
touch, short interventions to more people.
• Serving Multiple Populations: The HSGP has long sought to preserve the
diversity of Santa Monica residents by supporting marginalized and underserved
community members. Over the first three decades of the grants program, as the
amount of available City funding increased, the grants portfolio evolved to serve
many populations including seniors, people with disabilities, youth and their
families, low-income households, and people experiencing homelessness. While
the needs of these different populations ebb and flow over time, and some
populations have surges in need, it is critical that the HSGP maintain a core
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stable safety net for all populations rather than attempting to meet the exclusive
needs of one group at the expense of others.
• Leveraging Non-City Resources: City funds are insufficient to meet all local
needs. The HSGP stipulates a minimum 30% cash match requirement, meaning
City funds can only be used to cover up to 70% of the cost of services to SMPP
and agencies must secure non-City funding for the balance of those costs. This
encourages agencies to use the stability and reliability of annual City grant funds
as a positive asset to secure other funding from private and public sources.
Agencies annually match over $14 million in non-City dollars, meaning that the
$8 million in annual HSGP grants is used to leverage a total of $22 million in
services to SMPP.
Early RFP Development – Community Engagement
From May to October 2019, CSD and Canavan and
Associates held a series of sessions to solicit
community input and feedback in preparation for the
planned upcoming grant cycle. Staff invited over
10,000 individuals via public announcements on social
media, as well as through direct, in-person outreach.
Specifically, staff conducted in-person outreach at four
farmers markets, a Twilight on the Pier concert, and
two Meet Me at Reed (Park) events. Canavan and Associates held a total of twenty-
seven Community and Stakeholder workshops and two Town Halls and presented to
five City Commissions. Through these efforts, more than 350 people participated,
including executive directors, program participants, service providers, first responders,
business and faith community leaders, representatives from Neighborhood
Associations, policy makers, educators, youth, and the general public. In addition, staff
conducted two online surveys in English and Spanish and collected over 150 survey
responses.
41
Engagement
Events
350
Participants
150
Survey
Responses
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These community input sessions were guided by a central question:
What does an effective human services system in Santa Monica look like to you?
Figure 1. Community Input Collected August 29, 2019, at Santa Monica Institute
Canavan and Associates documented and analyzed these conversations and
concluded that community members are interested in services that address the
following key concerns: behavioral health (inclusive of mental health and substance
abuse), vulnerable seniors, youth, people with disabilities, and services for people
experiencing homelessness, including homeless prevention services.
The responses elicited from this extensive community engagement process are
consistent with more recent comments received from both City Council and the
community and include specific areas of interest, such as: increased accountability of
service providers, increased capacity for comprehensive and holistic services for youth
and their families, and increased funding for high-quality service delivery and decreased
staff turnover, as well as addressing homelessness through prevention services.
An additional product of the community conversations about effective human service
systems was feedback about the process behind service delivery (funding agencies,
monitoring agency performance, strength of partnerships within the network of care,
etc.). Community stakeholders identified three areas for process improvement, and City
staff have responded in the following ways:
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• Transparency
o Held multiple public community meetings to solicit feedback on RFP
components
o Publicly posted draft HSGP RFP components on City website
o Implemented a public process for identifying the RFP review panel
• Accountability
o Revised outcomes to focus on program impacts
o Posted program and fiscal reports from HSGP grantees to City website
o Contracted with Moss Adams to conduct a third-party independent audit of
current grantees
o Incorporated past performance as a scoring criterion in the RFP
• Collaboration
o Partnered with the We Are Santa Monica Fund Advisory Board
o Partnered with the Social Services Commission on RFP development, which
included an invitation for feedback to all Neighborhood Associations and
community stakeholders to elicit a diverse array of resident input
o Incorporated collaboration across agencies as a scoring criterion in the RFP
Social Services System Needs and HSGP Funding Levels
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, social service agencies regionally and nationally
were struggling to meet operating costs as well as recruit and retain staff. This has been
particularly true in Santa Monica where agencies face high rent and many staff endure
long commutes due to prohibitively high local housing costs, especially on a non-profit
salary. The pandemic has only compounded pre-existing stressors, as agencies
struggle to meet even higher operating costs and secure staff amidst inflation and an
exceptionally competitive job market, all while ramping up services to address the
massive increase in social service needs. Results from the 2022 National Non-Profit
Fund survey underscore these challenges, with long-term financial sustainability being
the top concern amongst non-profits, and over half of non-profits reporting problems
employing enough staff and offering competitive pay.
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A consistent theme that arose from community feedback was the need to increase
funding to meet current needs and address emerging, future needs. While the needs of
Santa Monicans have steadily increased during the current 8-year funding cycle (and
spiked during the pandemic), funding for the Human Services Grants Program has not
risen proportionally. The last substantial enhancement to HSGP funding occurred in FY
2015-16, when Council approved a $550,000 increase, which expanded the total pool of
funding available to applicants to $8,166,812. As a result, the reality is that existing
funding may be insufficient to address the community’s emerging needs, let alone
established needs.
The Review Panel and Council will need to carefully consider proposals to ensure a
future grants portfolio that, while far from addressing all local needs, is responsive to
current and emerging needs and will continue to provide a range of interventions—from
upstream approaches to intensive case management—across populations. Staff
recommendations outlined in this report seek to provide guidelines for the RFP to create
opportunities for new programs while preserving core safety net services that residents
rely upon to meet their basic needs.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
01/23/15
(Attachment A)
Council adopted funding rationale for HSGP based on documented
community needs and priorities
05/28/2015
(Attachment B)
Council provided comments on proposed HSGP FY2015-19 funding
recommendations as part of the FY2015-17 biennial budget study
session
06/23/2015
(Attachment C)
Council awarded four-year grants to non-profit agencies through the
FY2015-19 HSGP
01/22/2019
(Attachment D)
Council approved a two-year extension of the FY2015-19 HSGP
funding
01/26/2021
(Attachment E)
Council approved a two-year extension of the HSGP funding cycle
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06/28/22
(Attachment F)
Council adopted the second year of the FY 2021-23 Biennial
Budget, including funding for the final year of the current HSGP
cycle
Discussion
CSD staff began updating the HSGP Request for Proposals (RFP) at the start of 2022
with community input received during the Canavan outcomes development process, as
well as feedback from City Council members. Staff approached this process seeking to
offer multiple opportunities for the community to review and provide feedback on key
components of the RFP, including agency and program participant eligibility, proposal
scoring criteria, and proposed outcomes. Staff also sought to update the RFP to reflect
the City’s efforts to advance equity and inclusion.
The proposed HSGP funding rationale details this updated process and seeks to ensure
that the HSGP continues to support a range of services—from early intervention (for
children 0-3) to intensive case management—across underserved Santa Monica
populations and to leverage non-City funds to maximize impact.
Community Input
Staff held three public information and feedback sessions hosted by the Social Services
Commission (SSC) in February, March, and May of 2022. Each meeting covered a
different set of recommendations:
• February—participant eligibility and scoring criteria
• March—program outcomes
• May—review panel development and protocols, and funding allocations by population
Staff advertised these meetings to residents via the City’s social media channels, City
media alerts, and City-wide email distribution lists, including SaMoNews, which reaches
over 47,000 recipients. Meetings included real-time closed captioning, American Sign
Language interpretation, and Spanish language interpretation. Additionally, staff
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reached out directly to Santa Monica Neighborhood Associations, inviting them to
participate and offering presentations to each neighborhood group on the topics
covered. Recordings of the meetings and associated materials are available at the
Social Service Commission website: smgov.net/ssc.
Staff invited the public to view draft RFP materials on the HSGP website
(https://www.santamonica.gov/human-services-grants-program) and submit public input
via email through June 15. Staff received 4 written comments during that time. A
summary of community feedback is also available on the website.
Proposed 2023-2027 RFP
Staff used the feedback received during the community engagement process to inform
the development of the new RFP. The following sections describe the specific RFP
components in more detail.
Santa Monica Program Participant (SMPP) Eligibility
As included under Guiding Principles above, the HSGP relies on Council-adopted
criteria for Santa Monica Program Participants (SMPP) to ensure that local funds serve
local needs. Applicants have flexibility in determining the population(s) they propose to
serve, as long as they can demonstrate an unmet current need, and the proposed
participants meet SMPP eligibility.
SMPP Eligibility
• Individuals or households with a permanent address in Santa Monica
• Students enrolled in a Santa Monica public school (for school-based
services)
*See Attachment H, Section 1 for additional criteria for at-promise youth and people
experiencing homelessness
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There are additional SMPP criteria for two populations, at-promise youth and people
experiencing homelessness, to further ensure that HSGP funds are maximized and
focused on community-identified needs. “At-promise” youth have great potential and
experience personal and academic risk factors that can hinder their success. Programs
with this focus provide assertive case management for identified high-risk children,
youth, and their families; and lead coordination of system-wide case conference
meetings with local social service providers to respond to their holistic needs. The
additional SMPP criteria for at-promise youth can be found in Attachment H, Section 1.
Staff are not proposing any major changes to SMPP criteria for at-promise youth.
Due to the limited resources discussed earlier, for programs proposing to serve
households experiencing homelessness (individuals or families), Council adopted a
more specific set of criteria for determining who should be prioritized for local services.
These criteria ensure that HSGP-funded programs prioritize services for people most
likely to die on the streets without intervention, people generating the most calls to Fire
and Police, and people who became homeless in Santa Monica. Under the current
criteria, an unhoused person or family who recently arrived in Santa Monica or who only
occasionally stays in Santa Monica would not be considered an eligible SMPP. Any
person experiencing homelessness who does not fall under one of the additional criteria
for PEH would instead be served by County or other regional resources.
Community feedback included recommendations to expand the definition of homeless
SMPP. However, without significant additional funding, expanding the current eligibility
would only dilute available services, and move away from the research-supported
prioritization of people by name and by vulnerability. Therefore, staff recommends
maintaining existing SMPP criteria for People Experiencing Homelessness.
A complete list of all proposed participant eligibility criteria can be found in Attachment
H, Section 1.
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Agency Eligibility
A consistent theme that arose during community feedback was that the HSGP feels like
a “closed” system and the process does not encourage or facilitate applications from
new agencies. Staff worked to respond to this feedback while still ensuring that future
HSGP-funded agencies have the organizational capacity to administer public funds and
operate quality programs in compliance with fiscally responsible best practices and
local, state, and federal regulations. The proposed criteria for agency eligibility reflect
standard practices in the non-profit field.
Qualifying agencies must be a non-profit registered 501(c)(3) organization with a board
of directors or a hospital/educational institution with a governing board and maintain an
accounting system in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(GAAP). Agencies must also certify that they are and will remain in compliance with
federal legislation, as well as non-discrimination in hiring or provision of services, and
are in good standing with the State of California Office of the Secretary of State.
If awarded funding, agencies must: possess a current and valid Santa Monica business
license for each Santa Monica location where services are provided, have an
established Grievance Procedure/Policy for participants, and submit Good Neighbor
Agreement(s).
Staff are proposing a change from past agency eligibility criteria that required proposing
agencies to be located or operating in Santa Monica already to ensure programs were
accessible to SMPP and familiar with local community needs. Given the limited number
of social service non-profits in Santa Monica, and in response to community feedback to
expand eligibility criteria, staff revised the requirement to allow agencies not currently
located within the City to describe their planned service delivery model, including
supporting documentation of how they plan to provide services accessible to SMPP
and/or locate themselves in the city. For example, an agency might consider co-leasing
space in Santa Monica with an established organization or identify a new space to co-
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lease with a partner agency. In their application, this agency would provide a letter of
agreement or MOU with the collaborating organization(s).
Even with this expanded eligibility criteria, there may still be newer agencies with
innovative ideas that do not yet have a track record of using public funding effectively or
otherwise do not qualify. Staff received consistent community feedback on the desire to
ensure newer agencies have opportunities to apply for funding. With the goal of helping
agencies build capacity for a future funding cycle, the HSGP RFP will include
information about other local and regional funding opportunities that might be a better
fit, including the We Are Santa Monica Fund. The RFP will also include available grant
resource hubs to guide agencies to other funding sources. The City encourages
agencies to apply for these opportunities in addition to or instead of HSGP funding as
applicable. The complete proposed agency eligibility criteria can be found in Attachment
H, Section 2.
Outcomes
New Outcomes Framework
Core to the HSGP is understanding the difference that programs can make in the lives
of participants, which can have a positive impact on the community at large. Outcomes
are key tools in assessing this impact. Outcomes data inform program planning and
help identify where things are working and where improvement is needed, and support
data-driven decision making.
Given the essential role that outcomes play in the grants program, the 2023-2027
HSGP RFP is an opportunity to re-imagine and standardize outcomes to incorporate
current research, reflect the needs of underserved populations, and be responsive to
Council and community priorities. Using information gleaned from the community
engagement process, Council priorities, and current best practices and research, staff
reframed how outcomes are structured into a new framework to guide the HSGP and
ensure grantees address the most important needs identified through these processes.
The proposed framework provides uniformity across agencies and programs to clearly
measure and report performance, while also allowing flexibility for HSGP programs to
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be nimble and innovative in the way they address the community’s most pressing
needs.
The revised outcomes framework is organized in three components: community impact
areas, goals, and indicators.
Figure 2. Outcomes Framework
New to the RFP are the community impact areas of lifelong learning, stability, and
health and wellness. Staff identified these impact areas using the results of the
community engagement process and they reflect Council and community priorities. The
proposed areas also provide a new, outcomes-focused way for applicant agencies to
think about their proposed programs and services. Attachment H, Section 3 shows the
complete outcome framework as proposed for inclusion in the RFP, including the
specific framework components which are defined in more detail as follows:
Community Impact Areas
Staff divided the key, high-level priorities emphasized throughout the community input
process into three areas: 1) lifelong learning, 2) stability, and 3) health and wellness.
Lifelong Learning
Overview
Lifelong Learning describes programs that facilitate access to high-quality education
and training for individuals of all ages. Programs that support Lifelong Learning focus
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on supporting access to childcare and early learning, improving the school experience,
enhancing key transitions from pre-k through college, and/or increasing access to
education among adults and throughout the community.
Program Examples
• Tuition assistance
• Programs that support attendance,
academic performance, and access
to school-based mental health
services
• Programs that support academic
transitions from preschool through
college and beyond.
Stability
Overview
Stability captures a broad range of needs that impact individuals’ and households’
economic and social stability. Programs that address housing stability focus on
increasing the number of vulnerable households that receive appropriate supports to
maintain stable, quality housing and/or expanding access to interim and permanent
housing solutions. Programs that address economic and social stability focus on
improving economic wellbeing, expanding access to affordable transportation, and/or
increasing parent and caregiver support.
Program Examples
• Legal services that prevent eviction
• Home modifications
• In-home supportive services
• Case management
• Employment services
• Financial literacy services
• Adult day services
• Paratransit services
Health and Wellness
Overview
Health and Wellness focuses on achieving physical, mental, and emotional health and
wellbeing. Programs that support participants’ health and wellness aim to improve
behavioral health, including mental health and/or substance abuse; advance physical
health; increase food security (i.e., access to affordable, healthy food); and/or support
connections between residents and their community.
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Program Examples
• Behavioral health treatment
• Provision of medical services
• Food pantries and food banks
• Programs that support enhanced
interpersonal interactions, community
events, and connections through
technology
Goals
Each community impact area is aligned with a series of goals, which describe a
program’s intended impact and the big picture outcomes they aim to achieve. These
goals are intentionally broad and applicable to a wide range of services and
populations.
Indicators
Each goal has several associated example indicators that assess progress towards that
goal. Agencies have the option to select from the example indicators defined by the City
or to propose their own. Indicators should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) and clearly support the program’s goals. All
indicators will assess progress made during the program year (i.e., annually). The City-
defined example indicators for each goal are included in Attachment H, Section 3.
Outcomes Selection Process
Agencies are required to submit outcomes for each program for which they apply for
funding. Staff propose that agencies adhere here to the following outcomes selection
process to identify relevant impact area(s), goal(s), and indicators for their program:
Figure 3. Agency Outcomes Selection Process
The following section walks through the outcomes selection process by providing a
description of each step and offering an example of how a potential HSGP applicant
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might select their community impact areas, goals, and indicators. The example
applicant in this scenario is an interim housing program that provides shelter, case
management, mental health services, and supports individuals experiencing
homelessness in securing permanent housing.
Step 1: Community Impact Areas
Agencies select one or more community impact area on which their program will focus.
They must select Lifelong Learning, Stability, and/or Health and Wellness.
Step 2: Goals
Agencies select one or more goals associated with each impact area. They must select
from the goals listed in Attachment H, Section 3 and can select as many goals from this
list as appropriate for their program.
Step 3: Indicators
Agencies propose up to three primary indicators that will measure progress towards
their program’s annual goal(s), using the example indicators in Attachment H, Section 3
Interim Housing Example Applicant: Community Impact Areas
The program might select Stability and Health and Wellness as their community
impact areas because they provide housing and mental health services.
Interim Housing Example Applicant: Goals
The program might select:
1. Increase the number of vulnerable households who access interim and
permanent hosing solutions
2. Increase economic wellbeing
3. Improve behavioral health
Interim Housing Example Applicant: Indicators
The program might propose three primary indicators and one secondary indicator.
They might select three primary indicators from the example list, including:
1. Sixty percent (60%) of unhoused households obtain interim housing
2. Forty percent (40%) of unhoused households obtain permanent housing
3. Ninety percent (90%) of participants maintain or increase their income
The program might also propose one secondary indicator that they create:
1. Seventy-five (75%) of participants with a mental health diagnosis demonstrate
improved coping skills, as measured by the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale.
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as a guide. Indicators should reflect both services received (e.g., number of participants
who receive independent living assistance) and more substantive changes in
participants’ lives (e.g., percent of participants who remain in their home for six months
or longer). Agencies can also propose up to three optional secondary indicators (for a
total of six total indicators). These optional indicators can illustrate their program’s
services but will not be used to directly measure performance.
Outcome Statement and Participant Impact
The Community Impact Area, Goal, and Indicator all tie together to form one outcome
statement that summarizes the program’s impact on participants. Each indicator will
form one outcome statement
Outcomes Community Impact
While HSGP program outcomes are purposefully framed to measure a program’s ability
to positively impact participants’ lives, the collective impact of achieving these individual
goals results in benefits to the community at large. Considering the interim housing
example applicant, this program would have positive impacts not only on program
participants, but also contribute toward maintaining equitable access to safe, healthy
open spaces for the broader community.
Scoring
Community feedback was clear on the importance of a transparent proposal scoring
process. As a result, staff redesigned the proposed RFP to include a detailed scoring
chart that connects each component of the application to elements to be scored and the
corresponding point value. A complete application packet will consist of a program plan,
Interim Housing Example Applicant: Outcome Statements
This program will impact participants' health and wellness by improving their
behavioral health, as demonstrated by at least 75% of participants with a
mental health diagnosis showing enhanced coping skills (measured
annually by the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale).
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a program budget, and supporting documentation, and will be scored under two
categories: program and fiscal.
Program Scoring
Members of the review panel will score the program category based on the applicant’s
description of the proposed program; organizational capacity, policies, and procedures;
and proposed participant outcomes. Below is a description of each area along with its
point allocation:
• Program Summary (30 points): Applicants will specify the target population
they intend to serve, how, and why. The panel will review this section to see
whether the program is serving a population relevant to the community and the
services are addressing an identified local need. The panel will also assess how
the program is leveraging best practices, how it promotes equity, and whether
the program is accessible to the target population, particularly under the
limitations of the pandemic.
• Past Performance and Organizational Capacity (50 points): The RFP will
require all applicants to submit reports from the agency’s largest funder for the
last two fiscal years which will be reviewed for whether the organization has a
track record of providing high impact, fiscally sound services. The review panel
will assess submitted program plans and proposed staffing structure to determine
whether the agency has the infrastructure in place to effectively implement the
proposed program. Reviewers will also assess organizational policies and
practices to see whether and how equity is integrated. This section will also ask
about agency partnerships to ensure that the agency is integrated within its
system of care, and that the agency has cultivated partnerships regionally and
especially within the City.
• Proposed Outcomes (20 points): Here agencies will describe the intended
impact of the proposed program. (An applicant agency’s past outcomes
performance will be assessed within the Past Performance section above.)
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These outcomes should be clearly identified and align with the guidelines
described above and in Attachment H, Section 3. Agencies should also specify a
plan to collect data and measure progress.
Focus on Equity
Program scoring also reflects a focus on equity, asking
agencies to demonstrate their policies and practices related
to promoting equity within their organization and in their work.
Agencies funded by the HSGP should have established
policies and procedures around Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion (DEI) and specify how they will provide coverage
and outreach to underserved populations and/or geographies within the City.
Under the scoring sub-section for Program Summary, reviewers will assess whether
proposed services are culturally appropriate, relevant, and sensitive to serve
economically, ethnically, and socially diverse populations. Review panel members will
score the Program Summary based on items that promote service accessibility to
diverse populations, for example: employing staff who self-identify with the target
population and/or fluent speak relevant languages.
Under the scoring sub-sections for Past Performance and Organizational Capacity, the
review panel will score agency/program policies and practices based on how they
address DEI for participants and staff, including opportunities for program participants to
inform program evaluation and design, and for staff to participate in relevant and
ongoing professional development.
Fiscal Scoring
The review panel will score the fiscal category based on the applicant’s program
budget, most recent audited financial statements, and monitoring reports for the last two
fiscal years from the agency’s largest funder. Below is a description of each area along
with its point allocation:
Programs Should
Demonstrate their
Commitment to Equity
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• Program Budget (30 Points): Program budgets should outline all anticipated
expenses associated with the program and will be reviewed to see if overall costs
are reasonable, salaries are adequate, and non-city funds are sufficiently
leveraged.
• Audited Financial Statements (10 points): Applicants will submit their three
most recently completed audited financial statements which the panel will review
to identify any outstanding findings or concerns.
• Historical Financial Performance (10 points): The panel will review the
agency’s most recent monitoring reports from the agency’s largest funder for
items including concerns around spend-down issues, returned funds, ability to
meet cash match requirements, and/or any other fiscal-related findings.
An additional resource that will be available to the review panel is a report by the City’s
internal auditor, Moss Adams LLP, which is completing a review of agencies currently
funded by the HSGP. Findings from the Moss Adams report may inform future funding
recommendations.
Guidelines for Application Review and Funding Recommendations
In addition to the revised RFP components reviewed so far, staff updated the
procedures used to review applications and develop funding recommendations to invite
more community participation and ownership, while providing guiderails to ensure a
balanced safety net of services to a broad array of populations. Staff made these
changes in response to requests from the community and Council to increase
transparency.
Proposal Review and Evaluation
Historically, HSGP proposal review panels have been comprised of
a combination of City staff, members of City boards and
commissions, and external subject-matter experts from Santa
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Monica and beyond. City staff would solicit and select reviewers from the community
and from regional and national organizations based on their knowledge of non-profit
social service systems, non-profit management, public policy, or specific sub-
populations.
For the 2023-27 HSGP RFP, staff proposes to work with the We Are Santa Monica
Fund (WASMF) Advisory Board to conduct an open solicitation for qualified individuals
to submit a statement of interest to join the review panel. The WASMF Advisory Board
is well-positioned as an advisory body to the City with current responsibility for awarding
WASM funds. That role, combined with their diverse composition of Santa Monica
residents with backgrounds in non-profit management, demonstrate that they have both
the fitness and relevant expertise to lead the recruitment and selection process for
qualified HSGP proposal raters.
Members of the HSGP Review Panel will be subject matter experts in the fields of youth
and families, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, and
other underserved populations in Santa Monica—understanding the needs of these
populations and the landscape of evidence-based programs that meet their needs.
These experts should be a diverse group representing the fields of social services,
financial and assurance services, non-profit management, marginalized populations,
and equity and inclusion. Additionally, panelists will include those with lived experience
as consumers of local social services. Potential panelists will be required to submit a
statement of interest form (Attachment I) which will be reviewed by an ad hoc group
formed by the WASMF Advisory Board.
To further aid the proposal review process, the City will contract with an independent
facilitator to manage the scoring and evaluation of proposals submitted in response to
the HSGP RFP. The facilitator will organize panelists, allocate proposals for review,
guide the scoring and ranking of eligible proposals, and oversee the development of
final 2023-27 HSGP award recommendations for Council’s consideration in spring 2023.
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40% Cap and Balanced Portfolio
The HSGP portfolio is broad by design, and members of the public at several
community meetings raised the question of how funding will be allocated across
populations and programs in a way that is balanced, serves a range of vulnerable and
underserved populations, and focuses on a spectrum of interventions,
including prevention and direct client aid. Rather than valuing the needs of one
population over another, the HSGP recognizes the interwoven nature of the community.
The infant who receives subsidized childcare (while their parents work and contribute to
local economic recovery) will grow up to have available mental health supports in their
public school and fresh produce to supplement their meals if needed. As countless
studies have shown, the earlier and more comprehensive the intervention, the higher
the return on investment. At the same time, this does not mean that all funding should
be allocated to early childhood programs, or even youth and families, and ignore the
challenges faced by local seniors, people with disabilities, and those experiencing
homelessness. As a result, the HSGP should continue to maintain a balanced portfolio
of agencies and programs, focused on serving the diversity of needs in Santa Monica to
the extent that limited funding allows.
HSGP is not the only source of social services funding in this community, however, as
the largest source of City funding, staff want to be responsive to community members
who have emphasized the importance of HSGP continuing to have a broad reach.
Operating with the framework that the HSGP seeks to provide services to the City’s
vulnerable, low-income residents and that the range of programs that meet the needs of
these populations is diverse, staff recommend that no population receive more than
40% of the total HSGP funding amount. Staff based this recommendation on an
analysis of the current grants portfolio when sorted by primary population served (Table
1). Assigning each program in the current HSGP portfolio to one population served is
challenging since most programs serve a range of populations, and a single individual
or family often represents multiple populations (e.g., a senior who is disabled and
experiencing homelessness). Given this complexity, the RFP will ask applicants to
indicate the primary population they intend to serve on each program application. The
selected population will be used to determine where programs fit within the 40% cap.
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Table 1. FY 2021-22 HSGP Funding by Primary Service Population
Primary Service Population Funding Amount % of Total Funding
People Experiencing Homelessness $2,251,607 28%
People with Disabilities $214,618 3%
Seniors $1,302,155 16%
Youth & Families $2,920,526 36%
Underserved Populations not Otherwise Specified $1,349,735 17%
TOTAL $8,038,641 100%
The HSGP, as currently funded, cannot meet every need, for every community member,
and fund every program that applies. The HSGP RFP recommendations staff have
outlined in this report are designed to provide accountability for public funds, foster a
healthy and sustainable social service safety net, and support a balanced array of
services to maintain a diverse and inclusive community.
Next Steps
Dependent on Council input and approval, staff will release the FY2023-27 HSGP RFP
in fall of 2022. Staff will hold a bidders’ conference and the RFP will stay open for a few
months. In Spring of 2023, staff will return to Council with initial grant funding
recommendations. Staff will include funding awards in the budget study session in May
2023, and final HSGP funding awards will be made as part of final biennial budget
adoption in June 2023. The FY2023-27 HSGP funding cycle will start July 1, 2023.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action as a result of the
recommendations in this report. For FY 2022-23, the total amount allocated to the
HGSP is $8,235,685, a nominal increase of less than 1% from FY 2021-22. As City
revenues improve, additional funding for the HSGP would enable the City to better
address the growing needs of its most vulnerable residents. Staff will return to Council
with proposed HSGP funding recommendations in the Spring of 2023 in preparation for
the FY 2023-25 biennial budget process.
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Prepared By: Aliya Buttar, Senior Human Services Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. January 26, 2015 Staff Report
B. May 28, 2015 Staff Report
C. June 23, 2015 Staff Report
D. January 22, 2019 Staff Report
E. January 26, 2021 Staff Report
F. June 28, 2022 Staff Report
G. Framework for a Sustainable City of Wellbeing
H. Proposed HSGP RFP Funding Guidelines
I. Draft HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest
J. Written Comment
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Attachment: H
Proposed HSGP Funding Guidelines
Human Services Grants Program FY2023-27
The following funding guidelines include:
(1) Eligibility criteria for Santa Monica Program Participants (SMPP),
(2) Eligibility criteria for prospective agencies, and
(3) Proposed outcomes framework.
Section 1. Eligibility Criteria for Santa Monica Program Participants
For the purposes of the HSGP, an eligible Santa Monica Program Participant (SMPP) is
defined as:
• An individual or household whose permanent address is in Santa Monica; or
• A student currently attending a Santa Monica public school (for school-based
services)
For agencies applying to operate programs that serve “at-promise” youth,* two or more of
the following risk factors must apply for program participants (child, youth, and/or
caregiver):
• Youth is out of school and has not obtained a High School diploma, GED, or
equivalent;
• Youth/child has behavioral health challenges, such as substance abuse issues;
• Youth/child has a history of physical and/or emotional abuse;
• Youth/child has a history of personal or family trauma (e.g. death of a caregiver,
incarceration of caregiver);
• Youth/child is a member of a low-income household;
• Youth/caregiver is unemployed and not in school;
• Youth/caregiver has a history of incarceration or family history of incarceration;
• Youth/caregiver is gang involved or has family members that are gang involved; or
• A pregnant person with 2 or more of the previous risk factors
*An “at-promise” youth program provides assertive case management services for
identified high-risk children, youth, and their families. These programs lead coordination of
system-wide case conference meetings with local social service providers and respond to
the holistic needs of the City’s most vulnerable children, youth, and their families.
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Packet Pg. 75 Attachment: Proposed HSGP RFP Funding Guidelines [Revision 3] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
If a program participant is a person or family experiencing homelessness, the following
additional criteria would apply to be designated SMPP and be eligible for City-funded
services (with the exception of school-based services):
• Homeless individual/family whose last permanent address was in Santa Monica,
and when they left that residence they stayed within Santa Monica; or
• Homeless individual/family who has been staying/living in Santa Monica for five or
more years; or
• Vulnerable individuals of Santa Monica’s workforce (homeless individuals or family
members who have worked full-time within the city of Santa Monica for a minimum
of 6 consecutive months; or who, within the past year, have been fired or laid off
from a business in Santa Monica after having worked there for at least 6 months.);
or
• Homeless individual/family on the Santa Monica Service Registry or identified by
City staff as a high user of City resources and services.
A Santa Monica program participant is not:
• A student who lives outside of Santa Monica attending a private school in the City; or
• A Santa Monica College student who lives outside of Santa Monica who has no other
ties to the City (did not attend a Santa Monica public school); or
• A homeless individual or family who recently arrived in Santa Monica or
intermittently stays in Santa Monica.
Note – At any point during the grant cycle, staff may revise target population eligibility
criteria based on new data that may identify any emerging needs.
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Packet Pg. 76 Attachment: Proposed HSGP RFP Funding Guidelines [Revision 3] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
Section 2. Eligibility Criteria for Prospective Agencies
To be eligible for City funding, applicants must:
• Be:
o A nonprofit organization with tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Service Code and Section 23701(d) of the California
State Franchise Tax Code; AND Registered with the office of the Attorney
General of the State of California Department of Justice with a current
registration status; AND has a Board of Directors OR
o A hospital or educational institution with a governing board.
• Certify that they are and will remain in compliance with:
o Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
o Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (as amended);
o Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended);
o Age Discrimination Act of 1974;
o Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (as amended);
and
o The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
• Not discriminate in the hiring of staff or provision of services on the basis of race,
religion, sex, age, national origin, disabilities, HIV status, political affiliation or beliefs,
or sexual preference.
• Agree that no City funds shall be used to teach, advance, advocate or promote any
religion or religious belief or practices, including any irreligious belief or practice.
• Agree that no City funds shall be expended for any political purpose, defined as
participation or intervention in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to
any candidate for public office, any initiative, referenda, ballot measure, recall, or
any partisan or non-partisan electoral activity.
• Be located or co-located in Santa Monica. Agencies not based in Santa Monica must
describe a planned service delivery model to SMPP, including any supporting
documentation as appropriate (letter of agreement to co-locate in Santa Monica,
lease, MOU, etc.).
• Receive the formal approval of its Board of Directors or governing body to submit a
proposal for City funding.
• Be in Good Standing with the State of California Office of the Secretary of State:
https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/bizfile/order-online
11.C.h
Packet Pg. 77 Attachment: Proposed HSGP RFP Funding Guidelines [Revision 3] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
Section 3. Proposed Outcomes Framework
A B D E
Improve key academic
transitions from pre-k
through college
Improve school experience Improve child care and
early learning access
Increase adult and
community education
A B D E
% of students who earn a
GED/diploma
% of students who improve
attendance
#/% of students who
receive tuition assistance
% of participants who earn
a degree or certificate
% of students who
graduate from high school
% of participants able to
access school-based
mental health services
# of outreach activities to
potential qualified
caregivers
#/% of participants who
access education
enrichment programs
% of students who attend
transition support groups
% of students who
experience a decrease in
disciplinary actions
% of parents/caregivers
able to work or attend
school
% of students who transfer
to a four-year university
% of students with
improved GPAs/grades
Lifelong Learning Outcome Statement Example:
Program X will improve the school experience by increasing the attendance rate among students with a high
number of absences.
Lifelong Learning
Santa Monica residents have access to and succeed in education and training.
Goals
EXAMPLE Indicators - To be achieved by participants with an identified need by end of program year
(these are examples, applicants can propose their own indicators)
Community Impact Area
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Packet Pg. 78 Attachment: Proposed HSGP RFP Funding Guidelines [Revision 3] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services
A B C D E
Increase the number of
vulnerable households
who receive appropriate
supports to maintain
stable, quality housing
Increase the number of
vulnerable households
who access interim and
permanent housing
solutions
Increase economic
wellbeing
Increase parent/caregiver
support
Increase access to
affordable transportation
A B D E F
# of successful eviction
preventions
% of unhoused
participants who obtain
interim housing
% of participants who
retain or increase
employment
# of parent/caregiver
education classes
attended
#/% of participants
utilizing transportation
assistance programs (e.g.,
LIFE, MODE, etc.)
% of households who
maintain their permanent
housing through the
program year
% of unhoused
participants who obtain
permanent housing
% of parents/caregivers
able to work or attend
school
% of parents/caregivers
who report improved
relationships with
child(ren)
# of rides provided by
transportation assistance
programs (e.g.,
LIFE,MODE, etc.)
# of households who
receive services that
improve accessibility of
their unit and allow them
to remain in their home
% of participants who
complete applications for
subsidized/affordable
housing
% of participants who
increase or maintain their
income (through benefits,
employment, or financial
literacy)
% of families successfully
linked to services
# of transportation passes
provided
% of households
connected to new
community-based
supportive services
% of unhoused
participants who are
added to the County
Coordinated Entry System
(CES) community queue
% of participants who
complete job-
readiness/career
counseling
programs/services
Community Impact Area
Program X will increase the number of vulnerable households who access interim and permanent housing solutions by increasing the
percent of participants who complete applications for subsidized/affordable housing.
Stability Outcome Statement Example:
Goals
Stability
Santa Monica residents are socially and economically secure.
EXAMPLE Indicators - To be achieved by participants with an identified need by end of program year
(these are examples, applicants can propose their own indicators)
11.C.h
Packet Pg. 79 Attachment: Proposed HSGP RFP Funding Guidelines [Revision 3] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services
A B C D
Improve behavioral health Improve physical health Improve food security
Improve connections
between Santa Monica
residents and their
community
A B C D
% of participants who
actively engage in mental
health or substance use
disorder services
% of participants who show
improved mobility
# of pounds of food
distributed to community
# participants who receive
assistance to access
needed technology
% of participants who show
improvement on evidence-
based assessment tool
% of
participants/households
enrolled in medical
insurance
# of participants who
access food pantries
#/% of MODE members
who utilize the LYFT app
% of of participants who
receive behavioral health
care system navigation
assistance
% of participants who
receive medical care # of meals delivered
# of participants
connected to new
community-based
programming
% of of participants
appropriately linked to
behavioral health services
% of participants who
report decreased ER visits
for physical complaints
(e.g., shortness of breath,
chest pain)
# of meals served
% of participants who show
improvement in social
support/community
connections on evidence-
based assessment tools
Community Impact Area
Health & Wellness Outcome Statement Example:
Program X will improve food security by increasing the number of meals served to food-insecure participants.
Health & Wellness
Goals
EXAMPLE Indicators - To be achieved by participants with an identified need by end of program year
(these are examples, applicants can propose their own indicators)
Santa Monica residents are physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.
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Packet Pg. 80 Attachment: Proposed HSGP RFP Funding Guidelines [Revision 3] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services
Attachment: I
Review Panel Statement of Interest
Human Services Grants Program FY2023-27
All individuals interested in participating in the HSGP RFP review panel will complete the
statement of interest on the following page. The statement will be reviewed by an ad hoc
committee formed by the We Are Santa Monica Fund advisory board.
The We Are Santa Monica Fund is a partnership between community donors, the
California Community Foundation, and the City of Santa Monica. The Fund provides grants
to local nonprofit organizations to support the local economy, advance equity, improve
physical and environmental health, and offer resources and emergency relief.
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Packet Pg. 81 Attachment: Draft HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest [Revision 4] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
Review Panel Statement of Interest (DRAFT)
Human Services Grants Program Request for Proposal
Personal Information
Name:
Email: Phone:
Occupation: Employer:
Optional Demographic Information
Race/Ethnicity: Gender:
Age: Sexual Orientation:
Disability Status: Veteran Status:
Professional and Personal Experience
1. Please share any relevant experience, skills, or qualifications in the following areas:
a. Personal and/or professional experience with underserved or marginalized
populations (including, but not limited to, people experiencing homelessness, early
childhood, youth and families, seniors, and people with disabilities).
b. Experience with non-profit operations and management or administrative oversight
of social services (including service on non-profit boards, City of Santa Monica boards,
commissions, or City Council).
c. Lived experience as a consumer of services (including as a person who is or was
formerly homeless; person who has experienced mental illness and/or substance
abuse; person who is low-income and/or disabled; person who is or has been enrolled
in a Santa Monica social service program).
2. Please describe your interest in participating in the Santa Monica HSGP RFP process as a
scorer/rater and your connection to Santa Monica, if any.
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Packet Pg. 82 Attachment: Draft HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest [Revision 4] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
3. Please state any potential conflict(s) of interest in your participation with scoring HSGP
Proposals for City funding, including if you or a close family relative (wife, husband,
registered domestic partner, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, or sister) are
affiliated in any way with an organization that may apply.
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Packet Pg. 83 Attachment: Draft HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest [Revision 4] (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
1
Vernice Hankins
From:bswett@gmail.com
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 4:47 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:For Aug 24 - item C - human services grant program
EXTERNAL
Hi –
Thanks for volunteering your time and efforts.
Please support the staff recommendations on the HSGP – and to consider raising the overall amount.
Our city has over 4500 residents under 5 – and a large portion of them depend on programs supported by HSGP grants –
especially lower income families, who simply cannot live without the quality early education programs delivered by your
grantees.
You have many conflicting priorities – it’s true – And the youngest residents depend on you – in this most vital time of
their lives.
Thank You ‐
Ben Swett (resident)
614 San Vicente Blvd
Item 11.C 08/24/22
1 of 27 Item 11.C 08/24/22
11.C.j
Packet Pg. 84 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Jennifer Cowan <jcowan@cfc-ca.org>
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 8:27 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Item 11C: Approval of Human Services Grants Program FY 2023-27 Request for Proposals
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Himmelrich, Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, and Honorable Councilmembers:
I am writing on behalf of Santa Monica’s youngest residents and working families. It is critical that their needs
are heard as Council considers funding guidelines and resource allocations for the 2023‐2027 Human Services
Grants Program (HSGP).
Connections for Children (CFC) supports City staff’s proposed HSGP funding guidelines which recognize the
diversity of low‐income and vulnerable populations in Santa Monica. Further, we implore Council to
increase funding to the HSGP program to adequately address community needs.
Through the current HSGP, CFC provides financial assistance to low‐income and vulnerable Santa Monica
families so that they can afford the high cost of child care. City resources are directed to support Santa Monica
residents who may not otherwise have access to Federal and State‐funded child care subsidy programs. HSGP
funding allows Santa Monica resident families to receive child care subsidies necessary for them to participate
in the workforce, continue their education, and maintain housing.
In FY 21‐22, CFC served 194 low‐income Santa Monica children in our child care subsidy program. About 50%
of the families receiving child care subsidies are supported with HSGP funds. Many Santa Monica children are
currently on the waitlist for subsidy – unable to be served due to limited funding.
CFC has seen first‐hand how the needs of the City’s young children and families have increased since the HSGP
was initiated. Child care costs, as well as other basic need expenses, also continue to rise. However, funding
for the HSGP has not risen proportionally. This lack of resources significantly limits non‐profit social service
providers’ ability to address established and emerging community needs.
We are grateful for the City’s long‐time commitment to improving the well‐being of children and families.
CFC remains dedicated to working with the Council, City staff, and community partners to advance lifelong
learning, stability, health and wellness for all residents.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Cowan
Executive Director
www.connectionsforchildren.org
Item 11.C 08/24/22
2 of 27 Item 11.C 08/24/22
11.C.j
Packet Pg. 85 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
3
Vernice Hankins
From:Patricia Campbell <pcampbell85@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 8:27 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of
5 years, and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability
to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
Patricia Campbell
1132 19th St,
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 11.C 08/24/22
3 of 27 Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Packet Pg. 86 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
4
Vernice Hankins
From:Laura Lucas <laurablucas@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 8:01 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The City has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years
(two of which are my kids ‐ John and Harrison ‐ who go to Growing Place Marine Park), and the services they and their
families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
Laura Lucas
1733 Robson Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 11.C 08/24/22
4 of 27 Item 11.C 08/24/22
11.C.j
Packet Pg. 87 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
5
Vernice Hankins
From:Tina Wiatrak <tina@growingplace.org>
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 6:25 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Subject: Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of
5 years, and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability
to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
Tina Wiatrak, Teacher at the Growing Place, Ocean Park. California mentor teacher.
Santa Monica Resident since 1984
1316 Franklin St. Apt. A.
‐‐
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.http://www.growingplace.org
Tina Wiatrak
Associate Teacher | Growing Place, Ocean Park
401 Ashland Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-399-7769
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
For the privacy and protection of our families, this email is intended for the sole use of the original recipient(s). Images or
documents contained within belong to Growing Place. If you are not the intended recipient, we request that you please
notify us, by reply email, and destroy all copies of the message and any attachments. Thank you for your cooperation.
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Vernice Hankins
From:Gabrielle Monserrate <belightbelightbelight@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 11:54 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of
5 years, and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability
to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
Gabrielle Monserrate
2120 Stewart St. #4 Santa Monica Ca, 90404
Student, server and mother to my two year old son who receives financial assistance at the Growing Place
Marine Park.
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2
Vernice Hankins
From:Leonora <leonorasc@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 9:11 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of
5 years, and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability
to thrive.
Leonora Camner
Santa Monica resident
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Packet Pg. 90 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
3
Vernice Hankins
From:Joanna Grela <grelajoanna@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 8:46 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:HSGP- Parent
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of
5 years, that includes my daughter who is currently 3. The services our family receives through HSGPs are
critical to our wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
(Joanna Grela; Santa Monica resident and parent to a child at Growing Place Lab School in Santa Monica).
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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1
Vernice Hankins
From:Frisco Fayer <ff@friscofayer.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 8:57 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:HSGP // Agenda item 11 (C)
EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. Our Santa Monica citizens who are under the age 5 will
know a better life in Santa Monica with this funding.
Sincerely,
Frisco
3036 Linda Lane
90405
Law and Mediation Office of Frisco Fayer, PC
100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 917‐1074
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: This electronic message may be confidential or privileged. The information is intended solely for the use of the individual(s) or entity(ies) named
above. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this message is prohibited. If you have received this e‐
mail in error, please notify us immediately by telephone or by e‐mail and then delete this message. Thank you.
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Vernice Hankins
From:Nancy Chou <n.chou@create3rdspace.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 8:43 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
Thank you for your service to our city,
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years, and
the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Funding programs that support those in our city who need it most makes our city the wonderful place that it is and will
continue to be.
Sincerely,
Nancy Chou
3036 Linda Lane
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Packet Pg. 93 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
3
Vernice Hankins
From:Losmeiya Huang <losmeiya@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 7:58 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of
5 years, and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability
to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
(Name; address or connection to Santa Monica)
Sincerely,
Losmeiya Huang
2721 2nd St Apt 101
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Works at an early childhood program, Growing Place in Santa Monica
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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4
Vernice Hankins
From:Charles McCoy <chuckmccoy@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 7:50 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years, and
the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to thrive. As a father to
3 little boys, one of the reasons we love Santa Monica is due to its care of the young.
Thank you for your service to our city,
Charles McCoy
2506 28th St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Packet Pg. 95 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
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Vernice Hankins
From:Shannon Donohue <fabre.shannon@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 6:35 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years,
and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
Shannon Donohue, 3rd generation Santa Monica native.
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Packet Pg. 96 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Leslie Ann Loughlin <leslieannepps@mac.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 10:36 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
Thank you for your service to our city,
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years,
and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Funding programs that support those in our city who need it most makes our city the wonderful place that it is and will
continue to be.
Sincerely,
Leslie Loughlin
1314 17th Street, Apt 15
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Sent from my iPhone
Leslie Ann Loughlin
(She/Her)
310‐428‐3566 mobile
Sent from my iPhone
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2
Vernice Hankins
From:Heather Epps <heatherepps@mac.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 10:07 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Cc:Council Mailbox
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
As a Santa Monica resident for nearly 20 years and parent to 2 children currently enrolled in this district, I urge you
renew the funding for our early childhood programs in our city. The grant makes so much possible for the families in
Santa Monica and the wellbeing of our children. I personally know what a huge positive impact schools like the Growing
Place (Marine Campus) have on our children, which is only made possible with the tuition assistance funds, low teacher‐
student ratio, and scholarships available through city funding.
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years,
and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their growth and ability to thrive.
Thank you for your service,
Heather Epps
833 19th Street
Unit C
Santa Monica, CA
90403
____________________
Heather Epps
310.780.0145 cell
heatherepps@mac.com
(she her hers)
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Vernice Hankins
From:KimAnn Nguyen <kimann27@yahoo.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 9:29 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
Thank you for your service to our city,
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years,
and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Funding programs that support those in our city who need it most makes our city the wonderful place that it is and will
continue to be.
Sincerely,
Kim Nguyen
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Packet Pg. 99 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
4
Vernice Hankins
From:Rick Lee <ricklee76@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 9:25 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Preschool
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
Thank you for your service to our city,
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years,
and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Funding programs that support those in our city who need it most makes our city the wonderful place that it is and will
continue to be.
Sincerely,
Rick Lee
1453 Stanford St #E
Santa Monica, CA
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Vernice Hankins
From:Mark R. Edwards <MEdwards@jvs-socal.org>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 10:43 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11c - SUPPORT
EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
We are writing in support of the staff recommendations to APPROVE the proposed FY 2023‐27 Human Services Grants
Program (HSGP) Funding.
JVS SoCal is a 91‐year old nonprofit building better lives, one job at a time by empowering individuals to achieve dignity
and economic independence through sustainable employment.
We have been honored to operate the Santa Monica Youth Employment Program for 10 years, because we align with
the values expressed by City Council to “address critical community needs.” Providing youth with paid work experience
is an impactful benefit for the youth and their families.
The City of Santa Monica’s 2020‐2024 Consolidated Plan recognizes the need to build an adequate, trained workforce to
fill new jobs that will pay a living wage. It also recognizes the struggle facing the City, with almost 4,500 persons of
working age (18‐65) not having a high school diploma and another 7,364 have only a high school diploma or GED; and
the median income of residents with less than a high school diploma being below the current poverty level. The Plan
voices the City’s historic and continued support for education and job training programs, including job training for
younger persons and assisting young persons in career preparation and job placement.
Serving youth has also opened the door for others to seek out helpful, no‐cost career readiness services available
through JVS SoCal. Parents who were unfamiliar with JVS SoCal’s services come to us when they hear how happy their
high schoolers are with the SMYEP program. Youth in the program pay it forward when they tell their friends, siblings,
cousins about the program and some of these youth enroll.
We value the City of Santa Monica’s engagement and involvement with the community and advocacy on behalf of all of
its residents. The systems the City has in place to assist the young people and families who are struggling, or redefining
themselves and their career paths benefit the entire City: when families are stable, the City is stable.
We appreciate our partnership and look forward to continuing our work serving youth alongside the City of Santa
Monica. We are available to address any questions you may have.
Respectfully,
Mark R. Edwards
Get Outlook for iOS
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2
Mark Edwards
Vice President of Government Relations
6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA
90048
Office: 323‐306‐4229
Cell: 323.356.6579
Connect with us! Website • Twitter • Facebook • LinkedIn • Instagram
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this electronic communication is confidential, intended only for the use of the recipient
named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying
of this communication, or any of its contents, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please reply to the sender and
delete the original message and any copy of it from your computer or facsimile system.
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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Vernice Hankins
From:Kabir Chopra <kabirchopra@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 11:55 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5 years,
and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
Kabir Chopra
Santa Monica resident (and voter) since 2004
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2
Vernice Hankins
From:Angelica Thomas <angelicathomas02@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 11:44 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of
5 years, and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability
to thrive.
Thank you for your service to our city,
Angie Thomas
Mom of Luca Thomas, 16 months
2388 Dewey St Santa Monica CA 90405
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Vernice Hankins
From:Amber Richane <algiacom@hotmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 11:39 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11.c for tonight about HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council:
Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over 4,500 residents under the age of 5
years, and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to their wellbeing and ability to
thrive. My kids went to Growing Place and it is a magical experience that sets our kids off on the right foot for life.
Please fund them and other programs like them…it is critical for our community to thrive!
Thank you for your service to our city,
Amber Richane; 1330 Cedar Street; 90405
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4
Vernice Hankins
From:julisoco29@gmail.com
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 11:32 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Agenda Item 11, C: HSGP
EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
Thank you for your service to our city, Please support the staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. The city has over
4,500 residents under the age of 5 years, and the services they and their families receive through HSGPs are critical to
their wellbeing and ability to thrive.
Funding programs that support those in our city who need it most makes our city the wonderful place that it is and will
continue to be.
Sincerely,
Julia Socolovsky
3121 Colorado ave unit M
Santa Monica
CA 90404
Sent from my iPhone
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Packet Pg. 106 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
Laurie Konheim Chair, Board of Directors
Lena Wilson, J.D. President/Chief Executive Officer
VISTA DEL MAR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS TELEPHONE: 310.451.9747 FACSIMILE: 310.451.6106 1533 Euclid Street Santa Monica, California 90404 VISTADELMAR.ORG
To: Santa Monica City Council
From: Family Service of Santa Monica
RE: Agenda Item 6. Public Comment Regarding RFP for HSGP 2023-2027
Family Service of Santa Monica (FSSM) is a fully accredited, private, non-sectarian social service agency staffed by
licensed professionals and interns. Our mission is to provide service to the community by helping individuals and families
to cope with the economic, emotional, and social problems that prevent them from leading productive and satisfying
lives. Family Service of Santa Monica is dedicated to the promotion of a healthy community by fostering interpersonal
growth, improving communication skills and encouraging self-sufficiency.
FSSM has a rich history with the Santa Monica community. It was first established in 1925 as the first social service
agency in Santa Monica which helped community members secure housing, food, and medical care. Currently, FSSM is a
gracious recipient of the HSGP grant and has three thriving programs that serve the Santa Monica community. Our
Community mental health agency provides services to over 200 low income Santa Monica Participants annually through
individual and group therapy, which has been much needed throughout the pandemic. FSSM’s School Based Services
have social workers onsite at 3 elementary schools (Mckinley, Edison, John Muir; now Grant and Will Rogers) and Santa
Monica High School. Our School Based Services Program provides support to students, teachers, and administrative staff
throughout the district and serves hundreds of students and staff each year. Our Early Childhood Well Being Project is
aimed to provide assertive case management for families with children age 0-5 who are hovering or are below the
poverty line. This program supports over 20 families in securing housing, legal support, subsidized childcare and
employment. FSSM is seen as a beacon of community support given the vital services provided throughout Santa
Monica, historically and currently.
FSSM plans to expand these services to include affordable housing through a partnership with Santa Monica Community
Corp. FSSM recognizes the need to assist those experiencing homelessness and are in final negotiations to rebuild our
current property to include a 7-story building for up to 40 affordable housing units. The first floor will continue to
provide our current mental health services with additional space to meet other needs throughout the community, such
as childcare or specialized counseling services. FSSM is excited about this new venture for its continued and expanded
services to the Santa Monica community and is open to conversations with the City of Santa Monica to incorporate
specific requests as we launch this new development. We look forward to our submission for the HSGP 2023-2027 RFP.
In community,
Chantilly Wijayasinha, LCSW, MPH
Program Director
She/Her/Hers
Family Service of Santa Monica
1533 Euclid St.
Santa Monica, 90404
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Packet Pg. 107 Attachment: Written Comment (5060 : 2nd_2023-27 Human Services Grants Program)
Laurie Konheim Chair, Board of Directors
Lena Wilson, J.D. President/Chief Executive Officer
VISTA DEL MAR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS TELEPHONE: 310.451.9747 FACSIMILE: 310.451.6106 1533 Euclid Street Santa Monica, California 90404 VISTADELMAR.ORG
Item 11.C 08/24/22
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ChangeLives.org
Downtown Los Angeles
522 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 806-6300
Orange County
290 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 204-3000
San Fernando Valley
13545 Van Nuys Blvd. Ste. 1
Pacoima, CA 91331
(818) 794-4200
Santa Monica
1853 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 401-9400
August 22nd, 2022
Santa Monica City Council Members
City Hall
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, California 90401
Re: Council Meeting on August 24th, 2022 – Agenda Item 11.C.
Dear Mayor Sue Himmelrich & Fellow Councilmembers:
I am writing today in reference to Item 11.C. on the Council’s agenda for August 24th, 2022 – “Approval of Human
Services Grants Program FY 2023‐27 Request for Proposals.” We would like to thank the Council and the City for your
ongoing support of the Human Services Grant Program (HSGP). We support staff’s recommended Funding Guidelines as
the program moves forward into the coming funding cycle for FY2023‐27.
We also appreciate the inclusion of funding for jobs programs and employment services. We are happy to see “Stability”
among the City’s proposed three “Community Impact Areas,” including services supporting economic stability and
wellness. Providing employment services to City residents fills a critical need and we thank you for that investment.
One suggestion that we made during this process that we would like to reiterate here is around a possible expansion of a
target populations not included in the proposed SMPP definitions. We suggest creating a “Supplemental SMPP” criteria
for employment services that would include: 1) individuals in interim housing (including couch‐surfing settings); and 2)
individuals experiencing homelessness for less than 5 years in Santa Monica. We feel it would be a wise and strategic
choice to provide employment services to these target populations as well as those meeting the official SMPP definition.
We do not feel this would require new resources but would rather acknowledge the importance of proactively
supporting these individuals to prevent them from ultimately qualifying as SMPP under the current definition and to
recognize agencies like ours already serving these members of our community.
Founded in 1984 and having opened in Santa Monica in 1994, Chrysalis’ mission is to serve people navigating barriers to
the workforce by offering a job‐readiness program, individualized supportive services, and paid transitional employment.
We empower our clients on their pathway to stability, security, and fulfillment in their work and lives. Chrysalis has
been focused on working with some of the most vulnerable members of our Santa Monica community through these
challenging times, including individuals experiencing homelessness and those impacted by the criminal justice system.
We appreciate the City’s ongoing funding for the Human Services Grant Program. We are committed to doing our part
to support vulnerable local residents, to provide qualified candidates to local businesses, and to be a partner of the City
for years to come. If you have any questions or concerns, I can be reached at MarkL@ChangeLives.org.
Thank you,
Mark Loranger
President & CEO
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Dear Mayor Himmelrich, Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, and Honorable Councilmembers:
The Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force submits this letter in support of the funding
guidelines for the future 2023-2027 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) and
authorization to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit applications for the FY 2023-2027
HSGP funding cycle.
As the Santa Monica community continues to navigate and adjust to life beyond the Covid-19
pandemic, the HSGP supports our most vulnerable resident families significantly disrupted by
the coronavirus and their young children’s well-being. The grants give children the important
boost in life that quality care and education bestows. They make it possible for parents to
sustain themselves financially in a sector that continues to run on the thinnest of margins. They
help the economic security of early childhood educators and aides, although still not nearly
enough (this workforce is primarily women, especially women of color), and support parent
education and early childhood mental health by addressing the emerging research showing
increases in challenging behaviors and developmental delays of our youngest children.
The Early Childhood Task Force recognizes that the city's needs have increased. Addressing the
growing challenges of homelessness will cost more. The nonprofit community receiving Human
Services Grants has only seen increased service demand. We urge the City Council to increase
the funding to the Human Services Grants program so that the array of social problems for ALL
residents within our diverse city can have access to be safe and healthy and access the
resources necessary to thrive.
The Human Services Grants Program investment is a nationwide model of how a municipality
supports its youngest residents and their families, and the HSGP plays a key role in pursuing all
the community's objectives. We commend the funding guidelines’ focus on equity and the
community impact areas of lifelong learning, stability, and health and wellness. These outcome
impact areas align with what our children experience in their early years and are foundational
to the Task Force's commitment to promoting the best, most accessible, and most affordable
programs for children, families and for those working with the community.
The Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force thanks you for your leadership, dedication, and
time commitment to serving our community and for approval of the guidelines with an eye to
an increase in the grant funding. The grants are extraordinarily important to improving the
quality of life for our families and youngest residents.
Sincerely,
The Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force Steering Committee
McKenna Belgarde and Julie Taren
Co-Chairs Santa Monica Early Childhood Task Force
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