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SR 05-09-2023 11B City Council Report City Council Meeting: May 9, 2023 Agenda Item: 11.B 1 of 23 To: Mayor and City Council From: Danielle Noble, Acting Director, Community Services Department, Housing and Human Services Subject: 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendations Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 2. Approve the FY2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) funding recommendation (Attachment A) 3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute grant agreements for the FY2023-27 HSGP (Attachment A) Summary The City of Santa Monica’s Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) is a key component of the City’s overall efforts to support the Santa Monica community and provide services that keep vulnerable residents healthy, stable, and housed by providing funding to non-profit service providers in Santa Monica. The HSGP is administered through the Community Services Department ’s (CSD) Housing and Human Services Division (HHSD) and funds an array of social service safety-net programs for vulnerable and underserved individuals and families in Santa Monica. On August 24, 2022, City Council approved the proposed FY 2023-27 HSGP Funding Guidelines and directed staff to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the next four - year FY 2023-27 grant funding cycle (Attachment B). On September 28, 2022, the City 11.B Packet Pg. 1269 2 of 23 released the FY 2023-27 HSGP RFP to solicit applications from eligible service providers for the FY 2023-27 funding cycle (Attachment C). The City received a total of 31 program proposals by the January 18, 2023 deadline. Grant requests totaled approximately $11.6 million. The City’s proposed FY 2023-24 HSGP budget includes $7.920 million in resources from the General Fund. Staff has also identified onetime and recurring supplemental funds that can be leveraged into $2.225 million in additional annual funding. Combined, these resources total $10.146 million in annual funding for the FY 2023-27 HSGP. The HSGP program proposals that will be recommended for funding are responsive to a broad range of community needs, include existing and new services, and advance City Council priorities. Once approved, funding would be available beginning July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 and may be renewed for an additional three-years contingent upon available funding, effective program performance, ability to meet existing and emerging priority community needs, and Council budget approval. Staff recommends that Council approve funding for the FY 2023 -27 Human Services Grants Program in the amount of $10,145,594 for FY 2023 -24, which incorporates budgeted general funds as well as other supplemental funding sources, as detailed in Attachment A. Background This background section provides an overview of the milestones leading up to City Council’s HSGP funding decisions for FY 2023-27 and reviews the guiding principles that have defined HSGP services and responses to community needs over the history of the grants program. In response to community feedback and Council direction, City staff implemented several enhancements to the RFP process to further support community participation and transparency in decisions leading up to the grant funding recommendations presented in this report. There has been an eight-year lead-up to the production of the FY 2023-27 HSGP portfolio; a timeline that diverges from the City’s typical approach to funding HSGP in 11.B Packet Pg. 1270 3 of 23 four-year increments and was due to a set of unprecedented events. Details are as follows: • The current HSGP grant cycle started in FY 2015-16, when Council approved four-year grants for 22 local non-profits (June 23, 2015) at an annual funding level of $8,165,812. • In FY 2018-19, Council adopted the Framework for a Sustainable City of Wellbeing and departments worked City-wide to align goals and outcomes. o The Community and Cultural Services Department (the pre-cursor to the Community Services Department) worked with an external consultant to engage the community in structuring HSGP performance measures and outcomes to fit the adopted framework. o On January 22, 2019, Council granted a two-year extension to the FY 2015-19 HSGP grant cycle to allow time for meaningful community input in advance of a planned Fall 2020 RFP release. • 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 while facing an uncertain future. • In June 2020, Council adopted a budget for FY 2020-21 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). • As a result of these pandemic-related programmatic and fiscal impacts, on January 26, 2021, Council approved and directed an additional two -year extension to the HSGP funding cycle and set new dates for the next HSGP funding cycle for July 1, 2023 thru June 30, 2027. • These two-year extensions also align the HSGP funding cycle with the City’s biennial budget process. 11.B Packet Pg. 1271 4 of 23 The City is on track to begin the next HSGP funding cycle in July 2023. The extended timeline outlined above has not impacted the guiding principles that shape the scope and focus of the Human Services Grants Program. The FY 2023-27 HSGP RFP cycle builds on the guiding principles outlined below, responds to feedback from the community, and aligns with City Council priorities reaffirmed in March 2023. HSGP Guiding Principles The following guiding principles, as outlined in the August 2022 staff report to City Council, shape the scope and focus of the grants program: • Multi-year funding: The City commits to a four-year funding cycle to support program stability and continuity of care, which directly benefits community members. Contractual performance outcomes are closely monitored by City staff and updated annually to ensure follow-through in program delivery. • Defined Santa Monica Program Participants (SMPP): HSGP funds are focused on serving Santa Monica Program Participants while the City expects agencies to also leverage regional resources to support the well-being of these defined community members. City funding fills gaps in services for SMPP when non-City funding is not available or insufficient. • Depth of Services Versus Breadth of Services: The grants program focuses 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 intensive services over a longer period, as opposed to providing light-touch, short-term 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. The program prioritizes services across multiple populations including seniors, people with disabilities, youth and their families, low-income households, and people experiencing homelessness. In 2022, 11.B Packet Pg. 1272 5 of 23 Council approved a 40% cap on funds allocated to programs serving one specific population. • Leveraging Non-City Resources: 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. City staff also focus on securing external funding sources to support the HSGP portfolio in addition to the City Council approved general fund allocation. • Enhancing Transparency, Accountability, Collaboration: City staff closely monitor and support agencies to succeed in delivering their programs to the community. In response to feedback from community stakeholders, staff are further increasing public insight into this work, have actively applied these themes in the development of the FY 2023-27 HSGP funding cycle, and continue to evolve HSGP processes to advance these three priorities. Grounded in these principles, the FY 2023-27 HSGP funding cycle is responsive to community and Council feedback on population needs and service priorities, and areas for process improvements in the administration of the HSGP portfolio. As already mentioned, the HSGP portfolio aligns with Council direction to focus on priorities that address the critical issues and resource needs impacting the Santa Monica community. Discussion Section 1 >> Release and Promotion of RFP On August 24, 2022, City Council approved the funding a nd evaluation guidelines for the FY 2023-27 HSGP and directed staff to issue the RFP to solicit applications for the FY 2023-27 funding cycle (Attachment B). The 2023-27 HSGP RFP was released on September 28, 2022 on the City’s OpenGov Procurement Portal alerting over 5,400 registered vendors about the open solicitation for social service program proposals. Announcement of the RFP was widespread with an initial media alert sent to 27 local and regional outlets on September 28 th. Coverage 11.B Packet Pg. 1273 6 of 23 also included multiple announcements in SaMoNews, which reaches over 47,000 individuals. At the same time, staff sent email blasts announcing the RFP opening to Citywide distribution lists including Santa Monica boards, commissions, community groups, and neighborhood associations. Information was also included in multiple City Manager weekly updates to Councilmembers to help get the word out to their networks of stakeholders and constituents. Staff secured communications support from Southern California Grantmakers to promote the RFP in their e-newsletter which reached over 2,500 people and organizations in the social services grants space directly and was featured on SoCal Grantmakers’ social media channels. Staff continued to send monthly email blasts to the Citywide distribution lists through January 2023. These emails informed recipients of the following: October 2022 Bidder’s Workshop, addendums posted to OpenGov, Q&A and technical assistance sessions hosted by HHSD staff, reminders of the final January 18, 2023 deadline as well as calls for the community to apply and participate on the HSGP Proposal Review Panel. Section 2 >> Creation of HSGP Proposal Review Panel In response to community requests and Council direction to strengthen the community’s role in producing HSGP funding recommendations, staff partnered with the We Are Santa Monica Fund (WASMF) Advisory Board to conduct an open solicitation for qualified individuals to participate in the review of HSGP Proposals. The City promoted the opportunity to apply and participate on the review panel in communications announcing the availability of the HSGP RFP to the local and regional community (described in Section 1). The WASMF extended the statement of interest deadline by three weeks to create more time for people to respond to the opportunity to serve the community (see Attachment D -Statement of Interest). The WASMF established an ad hoc committee to review all Statements of Interest and selected 42 people to serve on the HSGP Proposal Review Panel. Selected panelists included subject matter experts in service provision for a variety of vulnerable populations; current and former members of Santa Monica boards, commissions, and community groups; City staff from multiple departments; persons with lived experience as consumers of services; and 11.B Packet Pg. 1274 7 of 23 representatives from related fields including public policy, social services, and non -profit management. Section 3 >> RFP - Responding Agencies & Programs Proposed Responding Agencies: The City received 31 program proposals from 24 agencies by the January 18, 2023 RFP application deadline. Grant requests totaled approximately $11.6 million. Proposals also included a commitment to provide $19.9 million in matching funds, totaling to $31.5 million in proposed funding to serve SMPP. Of the 24 applying agencies, seven are new applicants to the City’s HSGP funding process. The combination of proposals for new and existing programs serves the full range of Santa Monica’s HSGP priority populations, including people with disabilities, peo ple experiencing homelessness, seniors, youth and families, and other underserved populations. Continuity of providers is important and demonstrates how the City has intentionally invested in and cultivated its portfolio of homegrown providers and supported their transformation from new to established partners over the years. These providers have roots within the community and understand community needs. Further, community members know they can depend on HSGP-funded organizations and services across multiple phases of their lives. Seven new organizations also submitted HSGP proposals, showing that the process was inclusive to new organizations addressing critical community needs. It is promising to see a mix of new agencies proposing to serve the community alongside long-standing HSGP grantee agencies. Programs Proposed: Out of 31 proposals received, a total of 15 are new programs. Program proposals serve the full range of Santa Monica’s HSGP priority populations. See Attachment E for the complete list of programs proposed. Staff reassigned the SMPP primary population selected for Venice Family Clinic and Haven Neighborhood Services to ‘Underserved Population Not Otherwise Specified’. Both programs selected ‘Youth & Families’ as their primary SMPP population in the program funding application. Given both programs support people across the lifespan in diverse household makeups, 11.B Packet Pg. 1275 8 of 23 the ‘Underserved Population Not Otherwise Specified’ category better captures the range of the populations served. This adjustment a lso ensures that staff use the correct inputs to calculate the percentage of funds allocated to each SMPP group, and that no group receives more than 40% of the portfolio’s funding allocations. Section 4 >> Review Panel Evaluation Process & Results As directed by City Council in August 2022, in parallel with the HSGP RFP, an RFP was released to identify an independent facilitator to support the HSGP Review Panel’s completion of the proposal evaluation process. Elizabeth Anderson Consulting was selected to complete the project. The independent facilitator was fully responsible for assigning proposals to each member of the Review Panel. These assignments were made based on the details provided in each panelist’s statement of interest. In the statement of int erest, applicants to the panel were asked to disclose any potential conflict(s) of interest related to their participation in the review and scoring of HSGP proposals. The Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office reviewed disclosures and provided guidance on which proposals should not be matched with particular reviewers in order to avoid conflict of interest. In the process of matching panelists with proposals, the City’s independent facilitator layered the City Attorney’s guidance with each panelist’s stated a rea of expertise, including their knowledge of the needs of specific populations, program and system design, and experience with administration and oversight. Once the proposals were allocated across the Review Panel, a collective effort enabled each proposal to be reviewed and scored by five different Review Panel members. The Audited Financials submitted with each proposal were reviewed and scored by a qualified staff member in the City’s Finance Department. The independent facilitator supported Review P anel members beginning with the distribution of proposal assignments through the formal recording of reviewers’ scores in OpenGov. Support for the panel members included a virtual training workshop hosted on Zoom, virtual office hours, and one-on-one coaching via email and phone. The focus 11.B Packet Pg. 1276 9 of 23 of this training and support was to help reviewers evaluate the contents of each proposal (program plan, program budget, and supporting documentation) in accordance with the Council-approved HSGP RFP standardized evaluation criteria and scoring guidance (Attachment C). Review Panel members were also provided the program and fiscal monitoring reports of currently funded agencies as well as the Moss Adams Report on HSGP Grantee Monitoring to factor into their analysis of pro gram proposals and agency capacity. Each proposal was assessed across nine evaluation criteria related to program and fiscal categories, worth a total of 150 possible points. Each proposal’s five reviewer scores were then averaged to produce one overall score, which served by proxy as a determination of the program proposal’s level of qualification for HSGP funding. When ranked from high to low, the final program scores reported to staff by the City’s independent facilitator show a large gap between 76% and 67.33%, which created a natural funding boundary separating the most qualified applicants. All proposals that scored above 75% were considered for funding. By establishing the cutoff at 75%, two agencies that are new to the HSGP portfolio are included in staff’s funding recommendation. The Review Panel’s ranked HSGP program proposals are provided in Attachment E Review Panel Ranking of HSGP Program Proposals. In the next section, staff present funding recommendations for City Council consideration. The Review Panel’s scoring (Attachment E) is the primary factor driving recommendations. All proposals that scored above 75% were considered for funding. Program proposals that received scores below 75% are not recommended for HSGP funding. The following table reports the HSGP Review Panel’s average scores across the nine evaluation criteria for programs recommended for funding compared to averages of those not recommended for funding. 11.B Packet Pg. 1277 10 of 23 Table 1. HSGP Review Panel’s Average Scores Scoring Area Total Points Average Score of Programs Recommended for Funding Average Score of Programs Not Recommended for Funding Community Need 10 9.19 (91.9%) 6.80 (68.0%) Description of Services 10 9.12 (91.2%) 6.14 (61.4%) Access to Services 10 8.87 (88.7%) 6.74 (67.4%) Program Evaluation 20 16.95 (84.8%) 11.74 (58.7%) Organizational Capacity 15 13.26 (88.4%) 8.83 (58.9%) Policies & Procedures 15 12.46 (83.1%) 9.29 (61.9%) Past Performance 30 24.32 (81.1%) 9.63 (32.1%) Program Budget 30 26.92 (89.7%) 18.09 (60.3%) Audited Financial Stmts. 10 8.67 (86.7%) 3.00 (30.0%) Total Proposal Score 150 129.74 (86.5%) 80.26 (53.5%) Section 5 >> Funding Recommendations for FY 2023-27 HSGP Portfolio The City’s proposed FY 2023-24 HSGP budget includes $7.920 million in resources from the General Fund. Staff has also identified onetime and recurring supplemental funds that can be leveraged into $2.225 million in additional annual funding throughout the four-year funding cycle. By combining these funds, Council can allocate a total of $10.146 million annually to fund the HSGP portfolio for FY 2023 -27. Supplemental funds include: • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for Public Services, • Early Childhood Contributions from Development Agreements, • Opioid Settlement Funds, • State and Federal appropriations for Behavioral Health strategies; and • Local Measure CS funds for homeless initiatives. Additionally, agencies will bring a minimum of 30% in matching funds dedicated to SMPP, further increasing the value of the portfolio. HSGP investments directly align with Council priorities and many programs proposed deploy resources and services to the community that accelerate multiple Council priorities simultaneously. For example, senior services programs help prevent 11.B Packet Pg. 1278 11 of 23 homelessness, expand community and cultural offerings, advance racial equity and promote social diversity. Money management and employment programs advance homeless prevention, cultivate economic recovery at the household level and advance racial justice and social equity goals. The total amount of funding requested for programs that scored above 75% is $11.0 45 million, which exceeds the amount of funds available for the Human Services Grants Program by $900,000. While the Review Panel scores serve as the foundation, staff have considered community needs and City Council Priorities to produce the FY 2023 - 27 HSGP funding recommendations presented in Table 2 below. Staff provide insight into how these funding recommendations were produced through the follow ing incremental steps: The first step in the staff funding recommendation is to consider funding all proposals that scored above 75%; the following proposals, however, scored above 75% but are not recommended for funding: • Providence Saint John’s (PSJ) Child & Family Development Center – ‘Preschool Wellness Consultation’ ($428,323): The Providence Saint John’s Child & Family Development Center (CFDC) is a current and longtime recipient of HSGP funds. During negotiations of the 2022 Amendment to the Development Agreement between the City of Santa Monica and PSJ, one mutually agreed upon condition was that PSJ would maintain the CFDC’s HSGP-funded Child Youth Development Project (CYDP) without further use of City funds, thereby freeing up resource capacity within the City’s portfolio to fund additional services while ensuring that CFDC programs continued to benefit Santa Monica youth and families. Funding the proposed CFDC program in place of CYDP would eliminate this benefit. Additionally, awarding HSGP funding to PSJ would cause the Youth and Families category to closely approach and potentially exceed the 40% cap on funds allocated to a specific population (notably, approximately 25% of proposed HSGP funding is already allocated to early childhood programs within the Youth & Families category). In consideration of the above, while the proposed Preschool Wellness Consultation Program provides valuable services 11.B Packet Pg. 1279 12 of 23 to the community, staff does not recommend allocating HSGP funds to the program. • Cancer Support Community Los Angeles (CSCLA) – ‘Santa Monica Women and ‘Older Adults and Seniors’ ($182,000 total): While CSCLA’s programs provide valuable supports and other health and wellness services that positively impact the lives of people affected by cancer, program e ligibility based on this qualifying health condition limits the potential impact in the community. Further, while the services seek to benefit a vulnerable population, the program design does not fully align with HSGP guiding principles to focus HSGP dolla rs towards serving low-income households. In an environment where funding must be allocated to meet many competing priorities, staff recommends allocating HSGP resources to populations with the highest need. The second step in the staff funding recommendation is to (a) set a baseline level of investment in all programs recommended for funding at a sufficient level that allows programs to operate as intended, and (b) reserve some funds for additional allocations to programs that address known service gaps a nd priority needs among the community’s most vulnerable members. After extensive deliberation, staff determined that it is possible to accomplish both objectives by setting a baseline allocation of 85% of the requested grant amount across all programs recommended for funding. This adequately funds all programs, with outcomes to be adjusted appropriate to reflect the level of funding. The third step in the staff funding recommendation is to allocate the remaining funds to select programs that address known service and resource needs among the community’s most vulnerable members and address needs that emerged during COVID-19. All programs recommended for funding above 85% of their requested grant amount are grantees within the current HSGP portfolio. The Review Panel rated these program proposals an average score of 87%. Additionally, staff considered eight years of insights on the impact and performance of these programs gleaned from program monitoring work during the current funding cycle. Staff recommends increasing the allocations to the following programs to further advance Council priorities: 11.B Packet Pg. 1280 13 of 23 • Meals on Wheels West Delivering More than a Meal: Fund at 100% grant ask. This program addresses food insecurity and social isolation in low-income, homebound households whose vulnerabilities have been underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic. These households are also facing reductions to CalFresh benefits and rising food costs. This program also supports housing retention among our most vulnerable residents which aligns with the Council priority of addressing homelessness. • St. Joseph Center Youth Resource Team (YRT): Fund at 100% grant ask. YRT serves as the system hub for collective impact to support highly vulnerable youth ages 11-24 years old. YRT is a currently funded program and proposes to serve some of the most at-risk older youth in the HSGP portfolio. YRT consistently operates with a waitlist of youth referred to the program, which indicates that there is a critical and growing need for this unique service in the community. Additional funding supports the program’s capacity to enroll more youth in services which aligns with Council priorities on safety, connectedness, equity and preventing homelessness. • The People Concern 24/7 Samoshel Interim Housing Program: Fund at 100% of grant ask to advance the City’s priority to Address Homelessness. This proposal will expand Samoshel’s hours of operations towards a 24/7 model which City Council and multiple City departments have identified as an unmet need and priority. The HSGP funding allocation to support the implementation of this model, when combined with $800,000 in local Measure CS funds, will provide an interim housing resource option for first responders to offer people experiencing homelessness on a 24/7 basis. • The People Concern Housing Retention Program: Fund at 100% grant ask. Prior experience of homelessness is a key predictor for returning to homelessness. Additional funding to this program bolsters the City’s homeless system capacity for housing retention and protects the City’s other investments in intensive programs that help people end their episode of homelessness. • Westside Food Bank Emergency Food Distribution: Fund at 100% grant ask. The Westside Food Bank is a critical backbone of the local food pantry system. Its 11.B Packet Pg. 1281 14 of 23 capacity to distribute food enables local programs to address food insecurity in vulnerable households throughout the City. The cost of wholesale food has increased significantly and granting additional funding supports the Food Bank’s role as the primary supplier to meet local demand for basic food support. This program also supports housing retention among Santa Monica’s most vulnerable residents which aligns with the Council priority of addressing homelessness. • WISE & Healthy Aging Care Management / Adult Day Health Programs: Fund at 95% of grant ask. Demand for services to support the Santa Monica senior population continues to grow as the population increases in size and diversity of needs. Older adults are also the fastest growing age group falling into homelessness making targeted case management critical to help Santa Monica seniors connect with benefits and resources that that strengthen their ability to retain housing. Adult day services are also a critical program in the continuum of care for older adults with increasing rates of dementia and cognitive decline. This program connects to Council priorities to prevent homelessness, expand community and cultural offerings, and promote social diversity. • WISE & Healthy Aging Club WISE and WISE Diner: Fund at 93% of grant ask. Demand for services to support the Santa Monica senior population continues to grow as the population increases in size and diversity of needs. Club WISE supports the socialization and community connections among older adults who have experienced increased isolation since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional funding for WISE Diner offsets increasing meal costs and combats food insecurity faced by low-income senior households. This program connects to Council priorities to prevent homelessness, expand community and cultural offerings, and promote social diversity. The RFP asked applicants to indicate the primary population they intend to serve on each program proposal in line with Council direction to cap fu nding at 40% for each priority population. Assigning each program in the current HSGP portfolio to one population served is challenging because most programs serve a range of populations, and individuals with intersectional identities (e.g., a senior with a disability who is also 11.B Packet Pg. 1282 15 of 23 experiencing homelessness). Notably, while funding for programs primarily serving people with disabilities is low, this population is also well-supported through other programming with broader priority populations. The staff recommendation allocates funding across SMPP as follows, maintaining a balanced portfolio across target populations (i.e., not investing more than 40% of the portfolio in any given single population): • 26% People Experiencing Homelessness • 2% People with Disabilities • 18% Seniors • 17% Underserved Population Not Otherwise Specified • 37% Youth & Families Table 2. FY 2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Agency Program Amount Chrysalis SM Employment Center $ 282,783 CLARE MATRIX Help Empower Linkage Program $ 340,240 Connections for Children SM Early Education $ 1,492,043 Disability Community Resource Ctr. Independent Living $ 205,285 Family Service of Santa Monica Integrated Mental Health $ 671,472 Growing Place Marine Park Child Dev. Center $ 212,500 *Haven Neighborhood Services Beyond the Bank $ 115,600 Hospitality Training Academy SM Jobs Initiative $ 109,907 JVS SoCal SM Youth Employment $ 170,190 Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Community Legal Services $ 696,873 Meals on Wheels West Delivering More than a Meal $ 61,850 Santa Monica College Pico Partnership $ 226,971 *Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative Youth Mental Health & Wellness $ 147,042 St. Joseph Center Older Adults Health and Wellness $842,060 St. Joseph Center Youth Resource Team $ 768,631 The People Concern 24/7 Samoshel Interim Housing $ 2,082,488 The People Concern Housing Retention $ 200,000 Venice Family Clinic Comprehensive Care $ 255,000 Westside Food Bank Emergency Food Distribution $ 175,000 WISE & Healthy Aging Care Management / Adult Day Programs $ 560,671 WISE & Healthy Aging Club WISE and WISE Diner $ 528,988 11.B Packet Pg. 1283 16 of 23 Total: $10,145,594 (*) Agency not currently funded by HSGP Section 6 >> Projected Community Impact & Connection to City Council Priorities Outcomes are a key tool in assessing the impact that programs have on the community. Given the essential role that outcomes play in the grants program, the City adopted the new HSGP Program Evaluation Framework based on community input collected through an extensive engagement process. The HSGP evaluation framework provides uniformity across agencies and programs to clearly measure and report performance, while also allowing flexibility for HSGP programs to be nimble and innovative in the way they address the community’s most pressing needs. The HSGP Program Evaluation Framework focuses the HSGP portfolio on three priority areas of impact: (1) Lifelong Learning, (2) Stability, and (3) Health & Wellness. This grant cycle is the first time the HSGP outcomes framework will be implemented. The framework creates visibility in the HSGP portfolio’s impact as a system and enables insight into how each agency’s program drives towards shared outcomes that reflect community and Council priorities, along with the HSGP community impact areas of Lifelong Learning, Stability, and Health & Wellness. Notably, the top two goals addressed in this portfolio are increasing economic wellbeing and increasing the number of households who receive appropriate supports to maintain stable, q uality housing. (Below, see ‘Number of proposals supporting the Santa Monica community’) Community Impact Area Lifelong Learning Santa Monica residents have access to and succeed in education and training Goals 11.B Packet Pg. 1284 17 of 23 A B C D Improve key academic transitions from pre-k through college Improve school experience Improve childcare and early learning access Increase adult and community education Number of proposals supporting the Santa Monica community towards these goals 5 5 6 1 Community Impact Area Stability Santa Monica residents are socially and economically secure Goals 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 Number of proposals supporting the Santa Monica community towards these goals 8 3 10 3 0 Community Impact Area Health & Wellness Santa Monica residents are physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy Goals A B C D Improve behavioral health Improve physical health Improve food security Improve connections between Santa Monica residents and their community Number of proposals supporting the Santa Monica community towards these goals 7 4 3 7 In addition to the community impact areas above, the proposed HSGP grantee program outcomes align with and advance Council priorities (adopted March 11, 2023): (1) Addressing Homelessness, (2) Clean & Safe Santa Monica, (3) Cultivate Economic Recovery & Expand Community & Cultural Offerings, (4) Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity, and 11.B Packet Pg. 1285 18 of 23 (5) Sustainable & Connected Community. Additionally, demand for behavioral health services is a concern and need that has been expressed by members of the community and Council. Multiple programs proposed either address behavioral health needs directly or enhance protective factors that support behavioral health and wellbeing. Section 7 >> FY 2023 – 27 HSGP Grant Cycle Performance Management Performance management is a priority for HHSD, in alignment with community and Council emphasis on agency and program accountability. This section describes HHSD’s proposed protocols for performance management of the FY 2023-27 HSGP portfolio including progressive performance accountability for programs that do not deliver services as planned. Performance management will include reporting to the public at regular milestones during the four-year funding cycle and incorporating changes that reflect the recommendations from the Moss Adams Report on HSGP Grantee Monitoring and Process Review presented to the City Council Audit Subcommittee on February 21, 2023 (Attachment F) to enhance the H SGP system. Activity 1: Regular Public Reporting on Program Performance • Continue public posting of year-end program and fiscal status reports for each funded program in the HSGP portfolio. Programmatic reports provide information on services provided, success stories, changes to the program, challenges, and progress towards contracted outputs and outcomes. Fiscal reports document actual expenditures based on the contract budget. Reports can be viewed at https://santamonica.gov/human-services-grants-program-reports. • Introduce a year-end status assessment of fiscal/programmatic performance that is reported publicly in the year-end posting above. Full details about the status assessment are described in Activity 2 below. 11.B Packet Pg. 1286 19 of 23 Activity 2: Enhance program performance accountability Staff intend to implement more progressive performance improvement expectations to support each agency’s focus on the HSGP service outcomes and funding commitm ents they have made to the Santa Monica community. The status of each program’s performance at year-end will be publicly reported (per Activity 1). Additionally, staff will leverage a progressive set of expectations to escalate the consequences of repeated inadequate performance related to service outcomes and/or budget management. This approach communicates to the agencies that the City values all the organizations in the HSGP portfolio and relies on funded programs to deliver services as intended to Santa Monica Priority Participants (SMPP). Agency programs that reach and exceed outcome goals are highly valued; agency programs that demonstrate year-over-year challenges in delivering services are addressed. All agency programs will begin the FY 2023-27 grant cycle ‘In Good Standing’. Programs will retain this status unless there are causes for HHSD to place the program on probation and require submittal of a performance improvement plan. HHSD staff assess and evaluate both fiscal and programmatic performan ce biannually per the City’s program monitoring process. • Fiscal monitoring: HHSD analysts monitor each programs’ utilization of the annual grant budget and will request funds be returned if the program did not spend the entire HSGP grant amount or the year-end report shows a cash match value less than zero percent (meaning HSGP funds paid for non -SMPP participants). Analysts also monitor programs for the annual level of cash match allocated to the program; as established in the HSGP RFP eligibility criteria, programs must bring 30% or more cash match to the HSGP funded program. If the program brings less than a 30% cash match, that is cause for instituting a performance improvement plan. Additionally, a significant or high-risk finding identified during a fiscal monitoring engagement is another cause for instituting a performance improvement plan. Year-over-year challenges in this area is cause for probation. 11.B Packet Pg. 1287 20 of 23 • Program monitoring: HHSD analysts monitor each program’s progress towards the outcome indicators established at the beginning of the funding cycle. The outcome indicators measure the program’s progress towards the goals selected from the HSGP Program Evaluation Framework – Lifelong Learning, Stability, and Health & Wellness. Analysts monitor for failure to meet a minimum performance threshold of 75% progress towards primary performance indicators. Failure to reach 75% is cause to institute a performance improvement plan. Repeat failure is cause for probation and returned funds or adjustment to the next year’s grant funding level commensurate with the performance anticipated by the program. Additionally, a significant or high-risk finding identified during a program monitoring site visit is another cause for instituting a performance improvement plan. In summary, return of unspent funds, failure to meet the 30% cash match requirement, significant or high-risk findings during fiscal or program monitoring, or failure to reach 75% progress on the program’s primary performance indicators are all causes for a program status to change from ‘In Good Standing’ to ‘Probation’. The standing of each program will be publicly reported at year-end. This information will be available during the review process for the next HSGP RFP cycle. Table 3 below organizes the information presented in Activity 1 and 2 as a progressive program performance accountability framework. Table 3. HSGP Program Performance Accountability Framework Causes for Programs to Return Funds Status (A) Did not spend entire HSGP grant amount; agency returns unspent funds (B) Negative Cash Match - Year-end budget report shows Cash Match value less than 0%; agency returns funds to bring Cash Match up to 0% Placed on Probation Required to submit a Performance Improvement Plan Performance Issues Resulting in Probation Status - Did not meet minimum program outcome threshold on program’s primary indicators Placed on Probation 11.B Packet Pg. 1288 21 of 23 - Returned unspent funds (A or B above) - Did not meet simple Cash Match (0-30%) - Significant/high risk finding from a Fiscal or Program Monitoring Required to submit a Performance Improvement Plan If a program continues to show cause for probation and/or fails to meet the goals set forth in a performance improvement plan, City staff may take corrective action, up to and including reducing the grant amount for the next program year or terminating the grant agreement. As City staff works to administer and implement the HSGP Program Performance Accountability Framework, staff may make adjustments as necessary in order to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the framework. Unused and returned grant funds will be re-programmed by HHSD. This re-allocation can be done through a simple Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) or through an existing Council-approved HSGP grantee doing similar work or serving the same population. These options enable the HSGP to be nimble and creative during the funding cycle. Section 8 >> Preparing for the FY 2027-31 HSGP RFP City staff will begin preparation for the FY 2027-31 HSGP RFP as follows: • Fall 2025: Begin community outreach and engagement to solicit feedback on the design of the HSGP RFP and evaluation criteria; • Fall 2026: Request City Council approval of the HSGP RFP and evaluation criteria; • Fall 2026: Release HSGP RFP to the community and promote throughout the region; • Fall 2026: Recruit HSGP Review Panel; • Winter 2027: Provide one month period for Review Panel evaluate proposals; • Spring 2027: Present HSGP funding recommendations to City council; • Spring 2027: Conduct contract negotiations and execute contracts prior to go-live date July 1, 2027; • Summer 2027: Council formally approves the HSGP with the 2027 -29 Biennial Budget. 11.B Packet Pg. 1289 22 of 23 Next Steps Following approval of the FY 2023-27 HSGP, City staff will begin contract negotiations with approved programs. These contracts will include up to five parking permits for use by agency staff or volunteers for each City-funded program that provides community outreach and/or in-home services. Notably, because most programs will receive less funds than originally proposed in the RFP, program budgets and outcomes will be adjusted to reflect the awarded funding amount. Final HSGP funding awards will be included in the FY 2023-25 budget and considered during budget adoption in June 2023. The FY 2023 -27 HSGP funding cycle will start July 1, 2023. As programs begin operations in July 2023, City staff will work with agencies to ensure existing programs continue smoothy and new programs are introduced to the community. Environmental Review Approval of the FY 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply, “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. The funding recommendations are for administrative programs. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the funding recommendations in the program would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is categorically exempt from CEQA. Financial Impacts and Budget Actions There is no immediate financial impact or budget action as a result of the recommendations in this report. The total amount of recommended funding for the FY 2023-24 HGSP is $10,145,594. Staff will incorporate any budget actions into the City’s FY 2023-25 Biennial Budget. 11.B Packet Pg. 1290 23 of 23 Prepared By: Marc Amaral, Administrator Approved Forwarded to Council Attachments: A. Attachment A_2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations B. Attachment B: August 24, 2022 Staff Report (Web Link) C. Attachment C: OpenGov Procurement Platform HSGP RFP (Web Link) D. Attachment D_HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest E. Attachment E_ Review Panel Ranking of FY 2023-27 HSGP Program Proposals1 F. Attachment F: February 21, 2023 Audit Subcommittee Agenda Packet (Moss Adams HSGP Monitoring Report) G. ITEM.11.B.Written Comments H. PowerPoint Presentation 11.B Packet Pg. 1291 ATTACHMENT A FY 2023-27 HUMAN SERVICES GRANTS PROGRAM - FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS Agency Program Grant Ask FY 2023-24 Award Recommendation Funding Source FY 2023-24 Funding FY 2024-25 Funding Chrysalis SM Employment Center 332,686$ 282,783$ General Fund 282,783$ 287,287$ CLARE MATRIX Help Empower Linkage Program 400,282$ 340,240$ General Fund -$ 5,419$ Opioid Settlement 150,440$ 150,440$ CDBG 189,800$ 189,800$ Connections for Children SM Early Education 1,755,345$ 1,492,043$ General Fund 1,156,793$ 1,180,557$ Early Childhood Contribution 335,250$ 335,250$ Disability Community Resource Center Independent Living 241,512$ 205,285$ General Fund 205,285$ 208,555$ Family Service of Santa Monica Integrated Mental Health 789,967$ 671,472$ General Fund 671,472$ 682,166$ Growing Place Marine Park 250,000$ 212,500$ General Fund 212,500$ 215,884$ Haven Neighborhood Services Beyond the Bank 136,000$ 115,600$ General Fund 115,600$ 117,441$ Hospitality Training Academy SM Jobs Initiative 129,302$ 109,907$ General Fund 109,907$ 111,657$ JVS SoCal SM Youth Employment 200,224$ 170,190$ General Fund 170,190$ 172,901$ Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Community Legal Services 819,850$ 696,873$ General Fund 696,873$ 707,972$ Meals on Wheels West Delivering More than a Meal 61,850$ 61,850$ General Fund 61,850$ 62,835$ Santa Monica College Pico Partnership 267,025$ 226,971$ General Fund 226,971$ 230,586$ Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative Youth Mental Health & Wellness 172,991$ 147,042$ General Fund 147,042$ 149,384$ St. Joseph Center Older Adults Health and Wellness 990,659$ 842,060$ General Fund 842,060$ 855,471$ St. Joseph Center Youth Resource Team 768,631$ 768,631$ General Fund 768,631$ 780,873$ The People Concern 24/7 Samoshel Interim Housing 1,282,488$ 2,082,488$ General Fund 157,488$ 29,983$ SAMHSA (Federal Appropriation) 1,125,000$ 375,000$ DHCS (State Appropriation) -$ 907,488$ Measure CS (Operations) 600,000$ 600,000$ Measure CS (Capital) 200,000$ -$ The People Concern Housing Retention 200,000$ 200,000$ General Fund 200,000$ 203,185$ Venice Family Clinic Comprehensive Care 300,000$ 255,000$ General Fund 255,000$ 259,061$ Westside Food Bank Emergency Food Distribution 175,000$ 175,000$ General Fund 175,000$ 177,787$ WISE & Healthy Aging Care Management / Adult Day Programs 589,025$ 560,671$ General Fund 560,671$ 569,601$ WISE & Healthy Aging Club WISE and WISE Diner 571,595$ 528,988$ General Fund 528,988$ 537,413$ 10,434,432$ 10,145,594$ 10,145,594$ 10,103,996$ FUNDING SUMMARY BY SOURCE FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 General Fund 7,920,104$ 8,078,506$ General Fund Adjustment (375,000)$ (532,488)$ Opioid Settlement 150,440$ 150,440$ CDBG 189,800$ 189,800$ SAMHSA (Federal Appropriation) 1,125,000$ 375,000$ DHCS (State Appropriation)-$ 907,488$ Measure CS (Operations)600,000$ 600,000$ Measure CS (Capital)200,000$ -$ Early Childhood Contribution 335,250$ 335,250$ 10,145,594$ 10,103,996$ 11.B.a Packet Pg. 1292 Attachment: Attachment A_2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations [Revision 1] (5579 : Approve Attachment: D Review Panel Statement of Interest Human Services Grants Program FY2023-27 All individuals interested in participating in the HSGP RFP review panel completed the statement of interest on the following page. Each statement was reviewed by an ad hoc committee formed by the We Are Santa Moncia 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. 11.B.d Packet Pg. 1293 Attachment: Attachment D_HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Human Services Grants Program 2023-27 HSGP Proposal Review Panel Statement of Interest Instructions The We Are Santa Monica Fund (WASMF) 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. As part of the 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program Request for Proposals (HSGP RFP), City staff is partnering with the WASMF Advisory Board to conduct an open solicitation for qualified individuals to participate in the review of HSGP Proposals. The HSGP Proposal Review Panel will include subject matter experts in service provision for youth and families, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, seniors, and other underserved populations, generally. Subject matter experts will understand the needs of individual vulnerable populations as well as nonprofit operations and/or service delivery, including the use of evidence-based best practices. Additional panelists may include other stakeholders, such as City staff, individuals serving on Santa Monica boards, commissions, community groups, or neighborhood associations, and include those with lived experience as consumers of services. Panelist s may also include representatives from a diverse group of related fields, including public policy, social services, financial and assurance services, philanthropy, non-profit management, and diversity, equity and inclusion. The 2023-27 HSGP RFP is scheduled to close on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, with reviewers set to score proposals during the month of February 2023. Prospective reviewers must be prepared to commit at least 10-15 hours to the scoring process for individual proposal review and review panel group discussion. By submitting a Statement of Interest, prospective reviewers agree to provide their time on a volunteer basis, and without compensation. All individuals interested in participating in the HSGP RFP review panel must complete the Statement of Interest form on the following pages. In order to be considered, completed forms must be submitted to humanservices@santamonica.gov by 6PM on Mon, November 14, 2022. Statements of Interest will be reviewed by a sub-committee of the WASMF advisory board in order to determine which individuals are seated as panelists. Please visit https://www.santamonica.gov/human-services-grants-program for updates. 11.B.d Packet Pg. 1294 Attachment: Attachment D_HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Human Services Grants Program 2023-27 HSGP Proposal Review Panel Statement of Interest 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). Response: 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). Response: 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). Response: 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. 11.B.d Packet Pg. 1295 Attachment: Attachment D_HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Response: 3. Please disclose any potential conflict(s) of interest related to your participation in the review and scoring of HSGP Proposals for City funding. The purpose of requesting this information is to identify, disclose, and manage any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest to protect the integrity of the review and selection process. We seek to identify such conflicts that may influence reviewers to use their position for financial benefit, private gain or advantage, or other personal purposes. A conflict of interest here is defined as any formal or informal relationship with nonprofits or organizations that may apply for HSGP funding which may reasonably compromise one’s ability to fairly carry out any assigned duties as a reviewer. Conflicts may be actual, potential, or perceived and may relate to financial or nonfinancial interests in potential applicant organizations. Financial interests may include, but are not limited to, the actual or contingent possibility of any monetary or proprietary benefits or gain of any sort that has or may be received from such organizations. Nonfinancial interests may include, but are not limited to, receipt of gifts, board membership, officer positions, employment positions, volunteer service, and participation in or receipt of direct program services involving such organizations. Conflicts may also include related interests by close relatives (wife, husband, registered domestic partner, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, or sister). The City may request additional information if your response is unclear or incomplete. Response: I certify that the information I have provided is true and correct to the best of my abilities. I certify that, if selected, I will commit to the necessary time required to complete the scoring and rating process. Signature Date 11.B.d Packet Pg. 1296 Attachment: Attachment D_HSGP RFP Review Panel Statement of Interest (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 11.B.e Packet Pg. 1297 Attachment: Attachment E_ Review Panel Ranking of FY 2023-27 HSGP Program Proposals1 [Revision 3] (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 1 Xavier Mota From:lyses.08-carina@icloud.com Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 8:00 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Resident input 5/8/23 EXTERNAL    As residents we need to know what you are building: NOISE daily impact is not ok in a town with such high taxes and  rent.   We want to be informed of any  construction of buildings.   We also do not want any more projects approved as there is too much being rebuilt as is. Gutting a place and starting  over because rents so high business can’t keep up.   We disagree with any the excessive buildings going up.       ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1298 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Monica Mirch To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Thursday, May 4, 2023 11:11:07 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: Thank you for your hard work and difficult decisions regarding our community's funding priorities. These decisions are difficult, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting our community's needs. In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program. This issue is important to me personally because I was born and raised in Santa Monica. I understand that high quality early childhood education is a lifelong gift that not only prepares our children for the world, but also makes life more exciting and enjoyable! Growing Place is a pivotal community institution and should continue to receive Santa Monica Human Services Grant Program funds. My niece and nephew are currently enrolled and have benefited tremendously from Growing Place. Access to early childhood programs - particularly infant care and tuition subsidies - ensures families’ economic security and overall well-being. Moreover, investing in families and young children align with council priorities and is essential to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the City Council and our City Staff. Keep families earning, children learning, and communities growing! Sincerely, Monica Mirch Santa Monica Resident Since 1991 -- Monica Mirch 310-433-3364 mlmirch11@gmail.com ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1299 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Sarah Spencer Boyer To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 2:49:23 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: Thank you for your hard work and difficult decisions regarding our community's funding priorities. These decisions are difficult, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting our community's needs. In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program (HSGP). As a member of this community [resident of SM, recipient of a HSGP, advocate for early childhood], I can attest that investing in early childhood programs is critical for ensuring our children's and families success. Research has shown time and again that investing in education is the best way to insure long term improvement in a community. Please invest in our future. Access to early childhood programs - particularly infant care and tuition subsidies - ensures families’ economic security and overall well-being. Moreover, investing in families and young children align with council priorities and is essential to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the City Council and our City Staff. Keep families earning, children learning, and communities growing! Sincerely, Sarah Boyer SM Resident 640 Raymond Ave ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1300 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Kristin Lee To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 11:13:38 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: Thank you for your hard work and difficult decisions regarding our community's funding priorities. These decisions are challenging, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting our community's needs. In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program. As a member of the Growing Place community for over three years, and a resident of Santa Monica for the last 11 years, I can attest that investing in early childhood programs is critical for ensuring our children's and families' success. As a family of two working parents with two young children, Growing Place Marine Park is exactly the program we were looking for to assist in supporting our children, while allowing us to continue our careers and provide for our family. We could not imagine a more enriching, caring, thoughtful, safe, and inclusive environment for our children during these critical years of development. The Growing Place community has been welcoming and allowed us to establish and build meaningful relationships with educators, administrators, and other families. Access to early childhood programs - particularly infant care and tuition subsidies - ensures families’ economic security and overall well-being. Moreover, investing in families and young children align with council priorities and is essential to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the City Council and our City Staff. Keep families earning, children learning, and communities growing! Sincerely, Dr. Kristin Lee Santa Monica Resident and Growing Place parent ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1301 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Brian Abers To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 9:58:49 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers, I would like to express my appreciation for your hard work and dedication to meeting our community's needs, especially in the face of difficult funding decisions. I am writing to express my strong support for the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program, specifically for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica. As a parent with a child enrolled at Growing Place and as a board member, I have personally witnessed the positive impact of investing in early childhood programs on our community's strength and growth. Providing access to early childhood programs, such as infant care and tuition subsidies, not only ensures families' economic security and overall well-being but also aligns with council priorities. Ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed is vital to our future success. Once again, I would like to express my gratitude for your leadership and dedication to our community and urge you to support the funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program. Sincerely, Brian Abers ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1302 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Jonathan Wong To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Thursday, May 4, 2023 11:27:04 PM EXTERNAL Dear Councilmembers, I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the City of Santa Monica's continued funding for the Growing Place Marine Park through the Human Services Grant Program (HSGP). I am a resident of Santa Monica in the Pico neighborhood as well as an employee of a Santa Monica-based company. My family benefited directly from the city's support of Growing Place Marine Park, where both of my children were cared for until they graduated and transitioned to SMMUSD schools. My wife and I both have demanding full-time jobs and there was no way we could have continued to earn a living (or live in Santa Monica at all) without the year-round, full-day care that Growing Place provided for us. I dropped my children off every morning with a happy heart knowing that they would be cared for in a loving and nurturing environment by a truly professional staff. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is often limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This is doubly true in the aftermath of the pandemic, when so many providers were forced to shut down and were not able to recover. We also learned just how important reliable childcare is the ability for parents (especially mothers) to stay in the workforce. I truly believe that our community's economic recovery will depend on the availability of childcare for working families. That means each and every spot for an infant or toddler means another working parent (most often women) who is able to return to work. By casting your vote in support of the HSGP for Growing Place Marine Park, you're casting a vote for the future of our community. Thank you, Jonathan Wong Santa Monica resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1303 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Marilyn Hagelberg To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Thursday, May 4, 2023 5:29:04 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: Thank you for your hard work and difficult decisions regarding the Santa Monica community's funding priorities. I'm sure these decisions are difficult, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting the Santa Monica community's needs. In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program. As a parent whose daughters attended early childhood programs when they were young and now a grandparent of 2 young children that participate in the Growing Place's ECE program, I wholeheartedly believe that investing in early childhood programs is critical for ensuring the success of our children and their families. Both my children flourished in their early childhood programs and I believe that set them up for success once they transitioned to grade school and beyond. It's now the next generation's turn to be able to participate in the wonderful program Growing Place provides. I feel so lucky that my grandson is currently participating in Growing Place's ECE program. He is learning so much, not just things like his colors and ABCs but to interact with others, have empathy, communicate and express his feelings and thoughts in a constructive manner. These skills are so critical to children growing up in today's world. Access to early childhood programs - particularly infant care and tuition subsidies - ensures families’ economic security and overall well-being. Moreover, investing in families and young children align with council priorities and is essential to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the City Council and our City Staff. Keep families earning, children learning, and communities growing! Sincerely, Marilyn Hagelberg Grandma to a very special SM family ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1304 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Marilyn Hagelberg To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Thursday, May 4, 2023 5:29:04 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: Thank you for your hard work and difficult decisions regarding the Santa Monica community's funding priorities. I'm sure these decisions are difficult, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting the Santa Monica community's needs. In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program. As a parent whose daughters attended early childhood programs when they were young and now a grandparent of 2 young children that participate in the Growing Place's ECE program, I wholeheartedly believe that investing in early childhood programs is critical for ensuring the success of our children and their families. Both my children flourished in their early childhood programs and I believe that set them up for success once they transitioned to grade school and beyond. It's now the next generation's turn to be able to participate in the wonderful program Growing Place provides. I feel so lucky that my grandson is currently participating in Growing Place's ECE program. He is learning so much, not just things like his colors and ABCs but to interact with others, have empathy, communicate and express his feelings and thoughts in a constructive manner. These skills are so critical to children growing up in today's world. Access to early childhood programs - particularly infant care and tuition subsidies - ensures families’ economic security and overall well-being. Moreover, investing in families and young children align with council priorities and is essential to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the City Council and our City Staff. Keep families earning, children learning, and communities growing! Sincerely, Marilyn Hagelberg Grandma to a very special SM family ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1305 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Daniel Spilatro To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Thursday, May 4, 2023 2:50:13 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am emailing you to express my support for The Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Daniel & Adrianna Spilatro (and our 8 month old daughter Ripley) Santa Monica Residents ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1306 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Daniel Spilatro To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Thursday, May 4, 2023 2:50:13 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am emailing you to express my support for The Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Daniel & Adrianna Spilatro (and our 8 month old daughter Ripley) Santa Monica Residents ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1307 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Monica Mirch To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Thursday, May 4, 2023 11:11:07 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: Thank you for your hard work and difficult decisions regarding our community's funding priorities. These decisions are difficult, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting our community's needs. In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program. This issue is important to me personally because I was born and raised in Santa Monica. I understand that high quality early childhood education is a lifelong gift that not only prepares our children for the world, but also makes life more exciting and enjoyable! Growing Place is a pivotal community institution and should continue to receive Santa Monica Human Services Grant Program funds. My niece and nephew are currently enrolled and have benefited tremendously from Growing Place. Access to early childhood programs - particularly infant care and tuition subsidies - ensures families’ economic security and overall well-being. Moreover, investing in families and young children align with council priorities and is essential to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the City Council and our City Staff. Keep families earning, children learning, and communities growing! Sincerely, Monica Mirch Santa Monica Resident Since 1991 -- Monica Mirch 310-433-3364 mlmirch11@gmail.com ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1308 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) I am writing you this letter on behalf of the Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI). I believe this organization is deserving of this grant because it provides much needed mental health resources and support to youth at SMMUSD. As I’m sure you are aware, mental health issues are on the rise especially among youth. The service SEWI provides is detrimental to mitigating these issues and helping youth achieve their full potential. Long before I became a staff member for SEWI, I was the director of one of the youth serving organizations that had the good fortune of partnering with SEWI through its Masters in Social Work (MSW) intern program. I experienced first hand the impact of MSW interns at our site. They provided our youth with not only crisis intervention support but also respite from whatever struggles they were having and the opportunity to speak to a caring adult. When you run a program that sees on average 200 youth per day and you are not always fully staffed, having MSW interns be able to give our youth one on one attention was crucial to the success and the well being of the youth we served. Years later, when I was at a crossroads in my career, it only made sense that SEWI would be the path I chose. I’m a strong advocate for mental health support for our youth which SEWI does without fail but what sets them apart from the rest in my opinion is that they also work with the staff, educators and family of the youth they serve to ensure that its a holistic approach to mental health support. If you choose to award a grant to SEWI, they will expand their services and serve more youth at SMMUSD. At a time where more and more youth have reported feeling depressed or anxious, it only makes sense to support SEWI in serving more youth. I believe SEWI can exceed your expectations and continue to flourish with your assistance. For these reasons, I hope you consider The Social and Emotional Wellness Initiative for this grant. Sincerely, Jessica Rubecindo-Shioda jessicarubecindo@gmail.com ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1309 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Debra Benson <debra@illumepr.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 3:09 PM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Alex Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    We are expressing our support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As residents of Santa Monica and working parents, we urge the City to sustain this program.     High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities:    Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy  Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care  Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community   The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource.     Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive!    Best,  Debra Benson & Alex Norman Santa Monica residents     ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1310 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Jack Feichtner <feichtner@dfhaia.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 3:09 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    I am wriƟng to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a 10‐year resident of Santa Monica and a member  of the workforce in Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the  importance of providing quality childcare services to families in our city.    Childcare is essenƟal for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at  work. It also plays a criƟcal role in the development of young children, providing them with early educaƟon and  socializaƟon opportuniƟes that are essenƟal for their future success.    Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiƟng lists, and  limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low‐income  families who struggle to make ends meet.    Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality  childcare. This includes invesƟng in early childhood educaƟon and providing financial assistance to families who need it  most.    I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioriƟze childcare as a criƟcal infrastructure component of our community.  InvesƟng in childcare supports working families, promotes early educaƟon, and ensures that all children and families in  our community can thrive.    Keep children learning, parents earning, and communiƟes growing in Santa Monica!    Sincerely,    Jack Feichtner, AIA  Parent, Resident, and Project Architect       DFH Architects, LLP  1544 Twentieth Street  Santa Monica, CA 90404    www.dfhaia.com   ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1311 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Kemper Donovan <kemper.donovan@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 3:16 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program.     High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities:    Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy  Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care  Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community   My husband and I have been a part of the GP community for seven years now, and we will be for at least another three—a full decade of Growing Place helping us to raise our two daughters with intention and compassion and a commitment to excellence. We could not be more proud to be a part of the community, or feel more strongly that GP must continue to receive City funding to perform its crucial role in the greater Santa Monica community.    The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource.     Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive!    Thank you for your attention to this important issue.    Sincerely,        Kemper Donovan  Santa Monica Resident      ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1312 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 2           ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1313 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Jennifer Driscoll <jenniferameliad@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 3:18 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality childcare services to families in our city.    The value that the Growing Place brings to Santa Monica is immeasurable. So many of our youngest citizens have grown up in their care. The quality of the programs they have developed and the educators they have on staff is higher than I have seen at any other early childhood care programs.    Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success.    Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet.    Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most.    I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive.    Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica!    Sincerely,  Jennifer Driscoll  Santa Monica resident, mother to 2yr and 4yr old students at the Growing Place Marine Park    ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1314 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Suzy Foster <suzyfosterdesign@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 3:27 PM To:councilmtgitems; HumanServices Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre; David White Cc:Jesse Munoz; Pauline McPeake; Cecilia Carrillo Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    As a Santa Monica resident, thank you for your hard work regarding our community's funding priorities. These decisions are difficult, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting our community's needs.    In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program (HSGP).     As a member of this community with a two-year old enrolled at The Growing Place Marine Park, I can attest that investing in early childhood programs is critical for ensuring our children's and families' success. My son, Indy, has been lovingly cared for and creatively educated at The Growing Place since October 2021. In that time, we have seen incredible growth in his physical and social development through The Growing Place's creative, varied and intentional learning opportunities. As parents, we have benefited greatly from The Growing Place's guidance and strong community of support.    Access to early childhood programs - particularly infant care and tuition subsidies - ensures families’ economic security and overall well-being. Moreover, investment in families and young children aligns with council priorities and is essential to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.    Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the City Council and our City Staff and thank you in advance for continuing to fund worthy programs applying to the HSGP.    Respectfully,    Suzy Foster  Resident and Parent  511 Hill St., #204  Santa Monica, CA 90405  323-301-9158    ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1315 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Sarah Stegemoeller <sstegemoeller@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 3:48 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:SUBJECT: 11.B FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tempore Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:  I am writing in support of the staff Human Services Grants Program funding recommendations for early  childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica, and urge you to adopt the same.  As former chair and member of the Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women and a resident of  Santa Monica for more than twenty years, I have been proud to live in a community that has long been on  the forefront of championing and investing in early childhood education.   The Childcare Master Plan and other city policy documents and stated priorities have long recognized that  access to early childhood programs ‐ particularly infant care and tuition subsidies ‐ ensures families’ economic  security and overall well‐being. Moreover, investing in families and young children is essential to ensuring that  every child in our community can thrive and succeed.  Please support these longstanding aims by adopting the staff recommendations for funding.  Help keep our  Santa Monica families earning, children learning, and communities growing!  Sincerely,  Sarah Stegemoeller  Santa Monica Resident and former chair and member of the Santa Monica Commission on the Status of  Women        ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1316 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Sassa Chaleva <sassia@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 4:03 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica/workforce in Santa  Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing  quality childcare services to families in our city.    Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are  at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and  socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success.    Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and  limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low‐income  families who struggle to make ends meet.    Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child  care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most.    I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community.  Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in  our community have the opportunity to thrive.    Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica!      Sincerely,  Chrysanthi Chaleva Ntina  Santa Monica Resident              ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1317 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Georgios Evangelopoulos <gevang@outlook.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 4:05 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica/workforce in Santa  Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing  quality childcare services to families in our city.    Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are  at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and  socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success.    Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and  limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low‐income  families who struggle to make ends meet.    Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child  care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most.    I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community.  Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in  our community have the opportunity to thrive.    Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica!      Sincerely,  Georgios Evangelopoulos   Santa Monica Resident                ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1318 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Jeanne Le <jle@sewi.org> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 4:24 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Agenda Item 11.B Attachments:Agenda Item 11B.pdf EXTERNAL    Dear Santa Monica City Council,  I'm writing to express my strong support for the Social Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI) and urge the council to consider providing grant funding to this vital non-profit organization. As a member of this community, I've seen firsthand the positive impact that SEWI's work has had on the lives of young people throughout Los Angeles County.  In recent years, mental health challenges have become more prevalent among youth, especially with the added stress of the pandemic. It's crucial that we support organizations like SEWI that provide free mental health services to those who may not have access to care otherwise. By bridging the gaps in mental health care, SEWI provides vital support for our young people, regardless of their ability to pay.  Moreover, SEWI's work with educators and staff is essential for creating a supportive and healthy environment for our youth. By training teachers and staff on social and emotional wellness topics, SEWI is helping to build a community of caring adults who can better support and serve our young people.  SEWI's mission to promote social and emotional wellness is more important than ever before. Their work to support our community's youth is essential, and I strongly urge the Santa Monica City Council to consider providing SEWI with the grant funding they need to continue their important work. With your support, SEWI can continue to make mental health care more accessible to the young people in our community. Thank you for your consideration.    Sincerely,  Jeanne Le      ‐‐   To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.     ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1319 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Dear Santa Monica City Council, I'm writing to express my strong support for the Social Emotional Wellness Initiative (SEWI) and urge the council to consider providing grant funding to this vital non-profit organization. As a member of this community, I've seen firsthand the positive impact that SEWI's work has had on the lives of young people throughout Los Angeles County. In recent years, mental health challenges have become more prevalent among youth, especially with the added stress of the pandemic. It's crucial that we support organizations like SEWI that provide free mental health services to those who may not have access to care otherwise. By bridging the gaps in mental health care, SEWI provides vital support for our young people, regardless of their ability to pay. Moreover, SEWI's work with educators and staff is essential for creating a supportive and healthy environment for our youth. By training teachers and staff on social and emotional wellness topics, SEWI is helping to build a community of caring adults who can better support and serve our young people. SEWI's mission to promote social and emotional wellness is more important than ever before. Their work to support our community's youth is essential, and I strongly urge the Santa Monica City Council to consider providing SEWI with the grant funding they need to continue their important work. With your support, SEWI can continue to make mental health care more accessible to the young people in our community. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jeanne Le ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1320 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Tina Wiatrak <tinazoe8@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 5:31 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:SUBJECT: FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL        Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:      I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica/workforce in Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality childcare services to all.       Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success.      Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet.      Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most.      I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive.      Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica!        Sincerely,  Tina Wiatrak   Teacher at Growing Place for 23 years, California Mentor Teacher for 12 years, 38 year resident of Santa Monica. Sent from my iPhone  ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1321 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Anne Holmes <vrbo72734@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 5:48 PM To:councilmtgitems Cc:Anne Subject:Agenda Item 11.B - SEWI Attachments:Hughes Family Public Comment - SEWI SM City Council Meeting (May 2023).pdf EXTERNAL    Hello,      Please see below and a copy attached of our Public Comment for:    Agenda Item 11.B ‐ SEWI  The continued services of SEWI are desperately needed in SMMUSD for so many  students. There continues to be a tremendous increase in the number of students who are  struggling with their mental health, and those struggles are different for everyone. The first place  a child/student should be able to seek and receive help/guidance, if they are unable to talk to a  parent or caregiver, should be at their school campus.  Our daughter has always been a student of SMMUSD since Kindergarten but left the district at the  end of her sophomore year, in 2022. She was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety.  Unfortunately, she was unable to receive the help she needed at school, due to there not being  enough services available for all children.  After leaving SAMOHI, we enrolled her in an online school as this was our best option for her, as  she physically could not attend in‐person school due to her anxiety and went through some very  dark days due to her depression. Near the end of last year, she attended a daily PHP (Partial  Hospitalization Program), which was a daily commute for her of more than an hour away from  Santa Monica for almost 4 months. I strongly believe if she had received, the services she needed  earlier in her sophomore year, she may still be a student at SAMOHI.  All children need access to these types of services whenever needed. There should always be a  door open for them to walk through and say “I need help! I am feeling……”. The doors/services on  all school campuses need to be expanded and more help available for all students!   SEWI are the ones who can provide this!!  Thank you.  The Hughes Family  ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1322 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 5/8/2023 Agenda Item 11.B - SEWI The continued services of SEWI are desperately needed in SMMUSD for so many students. There continues to be a tremendous increase in the number of students who are struggling with their mental health, and those struggles are different for everyone. The first place a child/student should be able to seek and receive help/guidance, if they are unable to talk to a parent or caregiver, should be at their school campus. Our daughter has always been a student of SMMUSD since Kindergarten but left the district at the end of her sophomore year, in 2022. She was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, she was unable to receive the help she needed at school, due to there not being enough services available for all children. After leaving SAMOHI, we enrolled her in an online school as this was our best option for her, as she physically could not attend in-person school due to her anxiety and went through some very dark days due to her depression. Near the end of last year, she attended a daily PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program), which was a daily commute for her of more than an hour away from Santa Monica for almost 4 months. I strongly believe if she had received, the services she needed earlier in her sophomore year, she may still be a student at SAMOHI. All children need access to these types of services whenever needed. There should always be a door open for them to walk through and say “I need help! I am feeling……”. The doors/services on all school campuses need to be expanded and more help available for all students! SEWI are the ones who can provide this!! Thank you. The Hughes Family ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1323 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Jennifer Cowan <jcowan@cfc-ca.org> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 7:19 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    I am writing on behalf of Santa Monica’s youngest residents and working families who are supported by the City’s  Human Services Grants Program (HSGP). I urge Council to accept and further increase City staff's recommendations so  that all recommended HSGP proposals are fully funded.     Connections for Children (CFC) – along with other non‐profit service providers – ensure the safety net for our City’s  vulnerable and underserved residents. City resources are directed to support low‐income Santa Monica residents who  may not otherwise have access to Federal and State‐funded programs.     With HSGP funding, CFC helps Santa Monica families secure child care subsidies necessary for them to participate in the  workforce, continue their education, and maintain housing. The program also benefits local child care providers, as  program enrollment and tuition rates impact their economic sustainability.    We have seen first‐hand how the needs of the City’s young children and families have increased since the HSGP was  initiated. However, funding for the HSGP has not risen proportionally. This lack of resources significantly limits our ability  to sufficiently address emerging and existing community needs.     The FY 2023‐27 HSGP proposals reflect the current cost for non‐profit service providers to adequately address  community needs while sustaining our own operations. For example, CFC’s funding request was to serve 200 vulnerable  children. Funding only 85% of CFC’s “grant ask” means that we will be serving at least 30 fewer children each year.    Connections for Children is grateful for the support the City has historically provided Santa Monica’s children and  families. Continued investments in early childhood are critical to advancing Council’s priorities of Equitable &  Inclusive Economic Opportunity, Racial Equity and Social Diversity, and Sustainable and Connected Community. We  stand ready to partner with City Council, staff, and community stakeholders to address the expanded needs of our  residents, but we cannot achieve our collective goals without sufficient resources.    Thank you for your consideration.    Sincerely,    Jennifer Cowan  Executive Director  Connections for Children    ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1324 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:fai fong <yimfaifong@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 9:24 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL      Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers,    I'm writing in urging you to continue to support the City staff's funding recommendation for the Human Services Grant  Program (HSGP).  Growing Place has been the heart of the Santa Monica Community in its offering of the best early  childhood education around.  Our children who are now successful young students in Santa Monica High School, I truly  believe that these individuals with great curiosity and creativity have been enriched by their invaluable experiences at  Growing Place.  We had some of the best support staff and teachers we've experienced anywhere.   Please continue to  fund and make Growing Place the unique learning environment and allow families of different economic means this  opportunity for their children.    Thank you for all you do!    Fai Fong  Santa Monica Resident  ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1325 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 1 Xavier Mota From:Steven Soo <steve@stevensoo.com> Sent:Monday, May 8, 2023 9:24 PM To:councilmtgitems Subject:Item 11A FY2023-2027 HSGP Funding Recommendations EXTERNAL    Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers:    I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program.     High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities:    Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy  Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care  Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community   My wife and I are both working parents and it would be impossible for us to participate in the workforce without the high quality care that Growing Place has provided to our daughter. She started in the infant room and is scheduled to start kindergarten next year. It is a testament to the amazing teachers and staff at Growing Place that she loves going to school every day and has developed into a confident and curious learner.    The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource.     Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive!    Thank you for your attention to this important issue.      Sincerely,  Steven Soo  Santa Monica resident    ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1326 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Sharrie Wunder To:councilmtgitems Subject:agenda item 11.B support of SEWI for HSGP funding Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 2:59:45 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Council, I am writing to express my support for the Social Emotional Wellness Initiative’s (SEWI) proposed increase in mental health services for the students of Santa Monica. The need for more mental health and wellness support for our youth is irrefutable. SEWI’s model of services (individual and group counseling, intern training in best practices for youth and support of educators and staff) is highly effective as evidenced by youth engagement and positive feedback. Their ability to create an environment in which seeking mental health care is de-stigmatized and their exceptionally responsive and personalized practices engage youth in a manner not often seen. With the award of this grant, SEWI will increase their reach, to provide 2,700 hours of counseling services a year, to 500 students. With your support, SEWI will make mental health care more accessible to youth in Santa Monica by providing services on-site and free of charge. Thank you for your consideration. Sharon Wunder ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1327 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Jenn Roth Krieger To:councilmtgitems Subject:FUNDING FOR HUMAN SERVICE BUDGET - TUES MAY 9 Date:Sunday, May 7, 2023 8:21:39 AM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that Meals on Wheels (MOW) West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. I urge you to fund them adequately in the Human Service Budget before you for approval on May 9. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Jennifer Roth Krieger 839 Yale Street, Santa Monica ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1328 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Jill Fischer To:councilmtgitems Cc:Jen Kappelman Subject:Funding for Meal on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 4:28:27 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Council members, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica (every week for over 14 years) and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. I see first hand and every week the difference my service and these meals make. It’s so important to the recipients and the entire community. I sometimes make monetary donations, and I know that some of my fellow volunteers do the same, but I know so much more is needed. Not only is the food delivery of service, but I know that my attention to their needs is also valuable to them. Whether it’s taking out their trash, sharing a funny storing or just discussing the weather, sometimes I’m certain that if I didn’t deliver their food and spend a few minutes chatting with them, they wouldn’t eat anything that day nor have any communication with a human being. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. I recently read that loneliness is the equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day as it pertains to the health of senior citizens. So it isn’t only the food they are served but the ancillary services as well. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help.I urge you to support and would greatly appreciate the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Jill Fischer Real Estate Broker Beverly & Company Luxury Properties 15301 Ventura Blvd. B315 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 818.231.9207 mobile/text Broker License #00907458 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1329 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:shahira tadross To:councilmtgitems Subject:Funding for Meals on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 10:08:43 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans, and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization with strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. This year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s doors. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As volunteers, we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen, and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Thank you, Shahira Tadross Sent from my iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1330 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:heidieckard@mac.com To:councilmtgitems Subject:Funding of Meals on Wheels - Westside Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 2:34:14 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West.” Warm regards, Heidi ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1331 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Ted Winterer To:councilmtgitems Subject:Fwd: Item 11-B, 5/9/23, HSGP Funding: Support Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 9:43:40 AM EXTERNAL For inclusion in the public record. Thank you. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Ted Winterer <tedwinterer@gmail.com> Date: Sun, May 7, 2023 at 4:37 PM Subject: Re: Item 11-B, 5/9/23, HSGP Funding: Support To: Gleam Davis <gleam.davis@santamonica.gov>, Lana Negrete <lana.negrete@santamonica.gov>, <caroline.torosis@santamonica.gov>, <oscar.delatorre@santamonica.gov>, Christine Parra <christine.parra@santamonica.gov>, Jesse Zwick <jesse.zwick@santamonica.gov>, Phil Brock <phil.brock@santamonica.gov> Cc: David White <david.white@santamonica.gov> Mayor Davis Honorable Councilmembers, I am writing to you on behalf of Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS), advocates since 1999 for our children and their education. First, I'd like to thank the Council for your earlier decision at your budget study retreat to support children and youth (and their families) and for the planned partial restoration of library, after-school, at-school and park-based programs. As for the HSGP, these funding measures are of great importance to CEPS. Our mission statement includes this aspiration: "3. To identify and support issues that will support education and public schools, including early childhood education, after-school programs, and post-secondary public education." Consequently, we are grateful City staff has identified additional funds for a network of nonprofits with expertise in different areas serving different populations, yielding a comprehensive safety net for Santa Monicans with a wide variety of needs. City support leverages expertise, dollars, and collaboration and provides for a range of services that would most likely otherwise not be available to your constituents. Agencies and programs included in the HSGP recommendations that are most aligned with CEPS include Connections for Children, The Growing Place, Family Service of Santa Monica, St. Joseph Center, Santa Monica College. Hospitality Training Academy and JVS SoCal. HSGP provides services for those in our community who are most disadvantaged and/or most challenged, including young children, school-aged children, youth, their families, and struggling young adults. Post-pandemic, many of these challenges are greater, such as isolation-related mental health problems for youth. We believe the staff recommendations align with council priorities and community needs. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1332 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Consequently, we at CEPS urge you to adopt the staff recommendation to increase funding for the HSGP and to allocate 85% of requested dollars to the approved agencies. And, of course, if additional funds become available please consider fully funding some of the requests by these nonprofits. Regards, Ted Winterer, on behalf of myself, CEPS co-char Nicole Faries and the CEPS volunteers. -- Ted Winterer Realtor @Compass, 2115 Main Street Santa Monica DRE #02047989 -- Ted Winterer Realtor @Compass, 2115 Main Street Santa Monica DRE #02047989 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1333 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Nilla Elizabeth Watkins To:councilmtgitems Subject:Fwd: Letter from our Executive Director - Chris Baca Date:Saturday, May 6, 2023 5:32:24 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Nilla Watkins ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1334 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Ryoko Takata To:councilmtgitems Subject:Human Services budget Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 1:21:25 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Ryoko Takata Ryoko Takata EVP, Watt Ventures Watt Companies PH \ 310.314.2560 FX \ 310.460.4112 rtakata@wattcompanies.com Save a tree: Consider the environment before printing this email. IMPORTANT NOTICE: ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1335 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) This e-mail transmission and any documents, files or previous e-mail messages attached to it are the property of Watt Companies, Inc. and/or one or more of its related entities, and may contain information which is proprietary, confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby instructed that any disclosure, copying, printing, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this transmission is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone or return e-mail and delete the original transmission and its attachments without reading or saving in any manner. Nothing contained in this e-mailtransmission may be construed to bind the individual sender, Watt Companies, Inc., its subsidiaries, related entities, nor their officers, directors, shareholders, members, managers, employees, agents, or any of them, to any contractual term, promise or condition of any kind. 200X_Disclaimer ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1336 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Christie Smith To:councilmtgitems Subject:Human Services Budget Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 8:41:32 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Yours sincerely, Christie Smith Pacific Palisades ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1337 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Scott Pappas To:councilmtgitems Subject:Human Services budget Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:51:09 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and personally see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Best, Scott Pappas ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1338 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Thompson, John A To:councilmtgitems Subject:Include funding for Meals on Wheels West Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 1:45:37 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, John A. Thompson ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1339 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) ​ This email originated outside of Sempra. Be cautious of attachments, web links, or requests for information. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1340 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Mary Hewitt To:councilmtgitems Subject:Letter to Santa Monica City Council Re: SEWI Date:Wednesday, May 3, 2023 6:10:02 PM Attachments:Outlook-1wxe0tgk.png Kollab Youth Letter to Santa Monica City Council - SEWI 05-03-2023.pdf EXTERNAL Hello, Please accept our letter of support for the SEWI organization for grant funding. Thank you! Best in youth! Thank you, Mary Mary Hewitt CEO Kollab Youth Workforce Development MHewitt@kollabyouth.org 310.303.2869 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1341 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Angela Tortu To:councilmtgitems Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 2:44:22 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Angela Tortu Sent from my magical phone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1342 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Ron Hamady To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 1:24:03 PM EXTERNAL To Whom it May Concern, I know you’re going to be spraying money around. This is an organization with whom you should generous. I donate my time. Do your share! Ron H Sent from my iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1343 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Nello Torri To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 4:51:14 PM EXTERNAL  Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non- profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Kate Torri ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1344 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Michael Kauffman To:councilmtgitems Subject:meals on wheels funding Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 1:58:02 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, michael & andi kauffman 1243 18th st santa monica pm Envoi de mon iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1345 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Heather Baroff To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on wheels funding! Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 4:00:06 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Heather Baroff Santa Monica resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1346 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Debbie Alexander To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals On Wheels Funding! Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 12:14:22 PM EXTERNAL May 8, 2023 "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Deborah Alexander 1066 Corsica Dr. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (310) 422-9334 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1347 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Belen Briz To:councilmtgitems Subject:MEALS ON WHEELS FUNDING Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 5:03:15 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West.” Thank you very much!! Belén Briz ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1348 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Rob Sherman To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals On Wheels West Today! Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 11:51:08 AM EXTERNAL Dear Councilmembers, TODAY MOW West will deliver more than 210,000 nutritious meals this year to people’s doors. We are serving more people than at the height of the Covid pandemic, which was at that time record breaking for us. That's what's happening today. And we've been at it a long time. For nearly 50 years Meals on Wheels has been serving seniors, veterans, people with living with disabilities and other homebound people in Santa Monica. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and is Top 10 in the new City of Santa Monica Review Panel Ranking. MORE THAN A MEAL In addition to serving delicious nutritious meals our volunteers and staff perform Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We make referrals to other social service agencies with an emphasis on physical and mental health. Five years ago, in response to the growing number of unhoused people in Santa Monica, Meals on Wheels West started our Food & Shelter program which serves people formerly experiencing homelessness.Once formerly unsheltered people are housed, we deliver healthy nutritious meals, in-person and we add phone Wellness Checks including referrals to social services that help maintain stability and keep people off the street. 26% of MOW West’s clients are formerly unhoused people. STRONG COMMUNITY CONNECTION MOW West has strong community support MOW West and was voted Favorite Non- profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I am writing to urge you to support the funding of MOW West at the staff recommended level. Sincerely, Rob Sherman, treasurer, board chairman emeritus -- Rob Sherman robert.sherman@gmail.com ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1349 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 310-463-1046 mbl shermanmarketing.net ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1350 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:lou La Monte To:councilmtgitems Subject:MEALS ON WHEELS WEST Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 9:12:06 AM EXTERNAL As a Former Malibu Mayor and Councilmember, I have been involved with MEALS ON WHEELS West for years and I now serve on the Board of this wonderful organization. For nearly 50 years Meals on Wheels has been serving seniors, veterans, people living with disabilities and other homebound people in Santa Monica. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and is Top 10 in the new City of Santa Monica Review Panel Ranking. This year MOW West will deliver more than 210,000 nutritious meals to people’s doors. We are Delivering More Than a Meals to more people than we did at the height of the Covid pandemic. Our volunteers and staff perform Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We make referrals to other social service agencies with an emphasis on physical and mental health. 26% of MOW West’s clients are formerly unhoused people. Once formerly unsheltered people are housed, we deliver healthy nutritious meals, in-person and phone Wellness Checks including referrals to social services that help maintain stability and keep people off the street. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to please support the funding of MOW West at the staff recommended level. Sincerely, ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1351 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Lou La Monte MOW West Board Member ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1352 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:David Brodie To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on Wheels West Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 10:06:46 AM EXTERNAL Hello Councilmember Brock. I’m reaching out on behalf of Meals on Wheels West, which I serve as a board member. MOW West has has served LA’s coastal communities since 1974, last year alone delivering over 200,000 meals. Our client list has grown significantly over the last three years, with 26% of our clients being formerly unhoused, and 21% are veterans or their spouses. Meals on Wheels West has developed innovative programs to help address both of these issues, including Food and Shelter and Supporting Veterans on the Homefront. As our list of clients grows, and as the cost of food continues to rise, we need support to continue meeting these challenges. I hope that the Santa Monica City Council can continue to work as a partner with MOW West, and I urge you to support the funding of MOW West at the staff recommended level. Sincerely, David Brodie Editor // Director // Creative Director david@rockpaperscissors.com 310-586-0600 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1353 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:chris pirrone To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on Wheels West Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 9:54:21 PM EXTERNAL Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I volunteer and deliver meals to people in Santa Monica. I see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Thanks Chris Pirrone 17th street 90402 Santa Monica homeowner and resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1354 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Catherine Bodnar To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on wheels, a critical need for so many. Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 2:36:05 PM EXTERNAL Santa Monica City Councilmembers, For the last five years, I have been delivering meals on wheels in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non- profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Thank you for your consideration, sincerely, Catherine Bodnar, Pacific Palisades Sent from my iPad ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1355 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Scott Zimmermann To:councilmtgitems Cc:Jen Kappelman Subject:Meals on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 3:20:36 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of our clients. I have been delivering food for more than 10 years. MOW does the following, among other things:: 1/ gets sustenance to clients; 2/ clients get interaction with the outside world; 3/ they know that someone cares about them. Almost all of my clients live alone I am proud to be associated with MOW. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Scott Zimmermann 322 10th Street Santa Monica Sent from my iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1356 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:J Renshaw To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals On Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:48:41 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Jeannine Renshaw ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1357 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:geoff@eb5eb5.com To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals On Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:35:15 PM Attachments:image001.png image002.png image003.png image004.png EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Thank you! Geoff Taylor CEO/Founder The EB-5 Investor Portal Office: 844.754.9225 WhatsApp: +1 818.262.8176 Schedule a call with me This communication is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice or an offer or solicitation for the purchase of any financial instrument. You should consult with a qualified immigration attorney as part of the ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1358 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) EB-5 process. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1359 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Kevin Khalili To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on Wheels Date:Thursday, May 4, 2023 4:33:25 PM Importance:High EXTERNAL Hello there, For nearly 50 years Meals on Wheels has been serving seniors, veterans, people with living with disabilities and other homebound people in Santa Monica. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and is Top 10 in the new City of Santa Monica Review Panel Ranking. This year MOW West will deliver more than 210,000 delivering nutritious meals to people’s door. We are Delivering More Than a Meals to more people than we did at the height of the Covid pandemic. The volunteers and staff perform Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We make referrals to other social service agencies with an emphasis on physical and mental health. Five years ago, in response to the growing number of unhoused people in Santa Monica, Meals on Wheels West started our Food & Shelter program which serves people formerly experiencing homelessness. 26% of MOW West’s clients are formerly unhoused people. Once formerly unsheltered people are housed, we deliver healthy nutritious meals, in- person and phone Wellness Checks including referrals to social services that help maintain stability and keep people off the street. MOW West has strong community support MOW West and was voted Favorite Non- profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West at the staff recommended level. Sincerely, Kevin Khalili Chief Executive Officer Alliance Hospitality Group 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 510 Los Angeles California 90024 T. 310-474-8633 x106 F. 310-388-0967 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1360 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1361 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Harriet Madsen To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 2:35:06 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Thank you! Harriet Madsen ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1362 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Tognozzi, Elissa To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 2:43:01 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I have been a resident of Santa Monica for 43 years. I have seen many changes over the years and I was one of those highly critical over what appeared to be lack of action with regard to the homeless and people struggling with poverty. That opinion changed when I began volunteering for Meals on Wheels. I was encouraged to find out how many people were being assisted by the city, including providing housing and food. I have seen first hand how many meals are delivered and the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them housebound. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Thank you for your consideration. Elissa Tognozzi 1122 6th St., Apt 201 Santa Monica, CA 90403 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1363 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:eitfeldian@gmail.com To:councilmtgitems Subject:Meals on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:55:15 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Eitan Feldman ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1364 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Wendy Dembo To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox Subject:Meals on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:51:10 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s doors. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer, we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen, and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow up. MOW staff makes referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Best, Wendy Dembo Santa Monica resident and voter ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1365 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Sylvia McNitt To:councilmtgitems Subject:MOW support Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:58:34 PM EXTERNAL  "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sylvia Mcnitt Sent from my iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1366 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:David Reed To:councilmtgitems Subject:MOW West makes life better for SM seniors Date:Sunday, May 7, 2023 8:35:42 AM "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Get BlueMail for Desktop ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1367 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Lisa Arnold To:councilmtgitems Subject:MOW West Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:35:20 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Lisa Arnold ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1368 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Nello Torri To:councilmtgitems Subject:MOW Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:46:49 PM EXTERNAL Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely Sent from my iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1369 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Keith Weitzenhoffer To:councilmtgitems Subject:MOWW Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 1:27:07 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Keith W. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1370 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Catherine Bodnar To:councilmtgitems Subject:Please consider all the people that are benefited by Meals on wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 2:33:55 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, For the last five years, I have been delivering meals on wheels in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sent from my iPad ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1371 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Mary Ellen To:councilmtgitems Subject:Please continue to fund Meals on Wheels West Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:38:48 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Chris Baca Executive Director (310) 394-5133 x4 chris@mealsonwheelswest.org 1823-A Michigan Ave Santa Monica, CA 90404 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1372 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Nancy Stark To:councilmtgitems Subject:Please support Funding for Meals on Wheels West Date:Saturday, May 6, 2023 6:05:12 AM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Nancy Stark Santa Monica Resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1373 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:ruth laurent-kocher To:councilmtgitems Subject:Please Support Meals on Wheels West Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:37:17 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, RUth Kocher ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1374 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Christopher Camp To:councilmtgitems Subject:Please Support Meals on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 2:28:33 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Chris Camp Santa Monica Resident for more than 10yrs ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1375 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Anjuli Kronheim Katz To:councilmtgitems; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis Subject:Re: Human Services Grants Programs Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 11:38:04 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I urge you to continue prioritizing funding for early childhood programs and to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program. As a new parent of an almost 9 month old, I support the staff recommendation of an award of 85% of the agency ask for (among others) Connections for Children, the Growing Place, and Family Service of Santa Monica, the three HSGP agencies most involved in directly serving young children and their families. More would be great as well! Thank you, Anjuli Kronheim Katz Former Santa Monica Housing Commissioner -- Anjuli Kronheim Katz Cell: 484-213-4811 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1376 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Nomad1800 To:councilmtgitems Subject:re: Meals on Wheels West Date:Saturday, May 6, 2023 5:07:01 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Chris Baca Executive Director (310) 394-5133 x4 chris@mealsonwheelswest.org 1823-A Michigan Ave Santa Monica, CA 90404 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1377 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Erin Angerer To:councilmtgitems Subject:SUBJECT: 11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Saturday, May 6, 2023 1:36:56 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: Thank you for your hard work and difficult decisions regarding our community's funding priorities. These decisions are difficult, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting our community's needs. In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program (HSGP). As a member of this community and a parent to a toddler who attends the Growing Place, I can attest that investing in early childhood programs is critical for ensuring our children's and families success. My partner and I moved our family to Santa Monica in 2016 in large part because of the support we saw at the local level for early childhood education. We are now deeply committed to this community. Access to early childhood programs - particularly infant care and tuition subsidies - ensures families’ economic security and overall well-being. Moreover, investing in families and young children align with council priorities and is essential to ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the City Council and our City Staff. Keep families earning, children learning, and communities growing! Sincerely, Erin Angerer Santa Monica Growing Place Family ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1378 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Larry Birstock To:councilmtgitems Subject:Support for Meals on Wheels West Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:53:31 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Larry Birstock 2607 26th St Santa Monica, CA 90405 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1379 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Flores, Clive To:councilmtgitems Subject:Support Funding of Meals on Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 1:23:03 PM Attachments:image001.png EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, Clive Flores Clive Flores Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Business Partner Pronouns: She/Her E: lauflo@amazon.com P: (310) 426-4883 L: Los Angeles, CA I use the Atkinson Hyperlegible font from the Braille Institute for email. It provides increased legibility for people with low vision. If you haven’t installed it on your machine, Outlook substitutes another font. | ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1380 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Emma McKillop To:councilmtgitems Subject:Support Funding of MOW West Date:Sunday, May 7, 2023 11:38:44 AM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. -- *Please note my new email address ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1381 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Amanda Hough To:councilmtgitems Subject:Support funding of MOW West Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 9:23:50 AM Attachments:image001.png EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West Amanda Hough Associate Director, Digital Strategy RPA Advertising 2525 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404 T 310-633-6055 rpa.com ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1382 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) ____________________________ This email may contain information that is confidential or is otherwise the property of RPA or its clients. Any use of this information for purposes other than that for which it was intended, including forwarding the information to unauthorized parties or using the ideas or materials contained in this email, may violate U.S. or foreign laws, and is prohibited. If you received this message in error, please let the sender know and delete the message immediately. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1383 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Mindy Owens To:councilmtgitems Subject:Support the funding of MOW West! Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:58:27 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely, A volunteer for MOW West Sent from my iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1384 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Tracey Gronemeyer To:councilmtgitems Subject:We Need Meals On Wheels Date:Friday, May 5, 2023 12:48:52 PM EXTERNAL "Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Tracey Gronemeyer Sent from my iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1385 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Joseph Acevedo To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:30:47 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1386 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:tolchak@cs.com To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 10:20:42 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Adam Popichak ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1387 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Adrian S To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 8:11:04 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am emailing you to express my support for The Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! A majority of Santa Monica residents are renters, this financial assistance helps lots of families who are struggling to pay for childcare. Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Adrianna W. Spilatro 818-744-0587 View My Profile ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1388 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Emily Ann To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:50:26 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Emily Ann Resident and Parent ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1389 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Elaine Barringer, PhD 1725 Ocean Ave. #410 Santa Monica, CA 90401 (213) 926-2059 Barringerphd@msn.com May 8, 2023 Santa Monica City Council 1685 Main St Santa Monica, CA 90401 RE: 11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendations Dear Council Member, This letter is regarding funding for the St. Joseph Youth Middle School Support Team. As a parent living in Santa Monica, I have witnessed the impact of the pandemic on the youth in our community. The past three years have been difficult for my child who was 15 years old when the pandemic struck. We, like many families, have faced unique challenges. With school closures, modified classroom settings, extracurricular activities canceled, and social gatherings prohibited, many young people struggled to find ways to stay engaged and connected. This struggle has wounded the mental health and wellbeing of the young person in my family, as he and his peers seem to have been derailed over the course of the pandemic. The St. Joseph Youth Middle School Support Team has played a critical role in supporting us through these crippling times and works throughout the community to help our youth get back on track. By supporting the St. Joseph Youth Middle School Support Team, the Santa Monica City Council can help ensure that our youth have access to the resources and support they need to recover from these challenging times. I sincerely hope the Council offers to contribute to this critical effort. Sincerely, Elaine Barringer ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1390 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Bay To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:45:09 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality childcare services to families in our city. Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet. Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most. I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive. Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica! Sincerely, Greg Behar Santa Monica Resident 1655 Oak St Santa Monica CA 90405 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1391 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Alisa Bizzul To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:25:09 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program, to sustain its programming for young children and families in our City. I’ve lived in Santa Monica for over 20 years, I work at Growing Place, and my children attended Growing Place, so I know firsthand the value this school provides to the community. I also know how difficult it is to find childcare a parent can trust and rely on, both from personal experience and from the many inquires we receive at Growing Place. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Best regards, Alisa Bizzul ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1392 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Juan Bustamante To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 9:48:14 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1393 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Cecilia Carrillo To:Glynna Grimala Cc:councilmtgitems Subject:Re: 11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 8:01:27 AM EXTERNAL Thank you so much, Glynna! Wish me luck today! On Mon, May 8, 2023 at 9:40 PM Glynna Grimala <glynna1@verizon.net> wrote: Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica/workforce in Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality childcare services to families in our city. I am a single, working mother. Both my children have attended The Growing Place and I can honestly say the reason we’re not only surviving but thriving is thanks to the incredible education and support we receive at the Growing Place. The staff and teachers are the most impressive group of educators I have had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with. My two sons have been cared for and prepared for their next steps because of the Growing Place. Additionally, I have been able to keep my job and support my family because my children have child care. Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet. Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most. I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1394 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) community have the opportunity to thrive. Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica! Sincerely, Glynna Grimala Santa Monica Resident -- Cecilia Carrillo Director | Growing Place, Marine Park 1406 Marine Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 310-392-9737 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.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1395 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants)       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 May 8th, 2023    Santa Monica City Council Members  City Hall  1685 Main Street, Room 209  Santa Monica, California 90401    Re: Council Meeting on May 9th, 2023 – Agenda Item 11.B.    Dear Mayor & Councilmembers:    I am writing today in reference to Item 11.B. on the Council’s agenda for May 9th, 2023, “2023‐27 Human Services Grants  Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendations.”  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 recommendations for funding in the FY2023‐27 cycle.    We appreciate the inclusion of funding for jobs programs and employment services.  We are thankful to see the support  for services supporting economic stability and wellness for vulnerable members of our community.  Providing  employment services to City residents fills a critical need and we thank you for that investment.    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  ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1396 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:jcclarkjr20@gmail.com To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 12:54:32 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. - James Clark Sent from my iPhone ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1397 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Manuel Contreras To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:18:53 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Manuel Contreras Parent of child at Growing Place Marine Park ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1398 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Kemper Donovan To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 10:32:40 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Kemper Donovan Santa Monica Resident and Parent ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1399 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Melissa Dooley To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 3:00:20 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality childcare services to families in our city. The Growing Place has been close to our hearts for over 6 years. My son, Ryder(6) who is now at Franklin, and my daughter, Marley(3) who is a current student spent much of their young lives with the Growing Place, and it has been such an incredible blessing to our family. My husband, Drew, has served on the board of directors and we could not speak more highly of the mission, the benefits and the value to the Santa Monica community. Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet. Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most. I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive. Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica! Sincerely, Melissa Kaspers Santa Monica Resident, Mother of 2, Santa Monica-based entrepreneur ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1400 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1401 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Mary 9, 2023 The City Council of Santa Monica 1685 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov RE: Item 11.B. 2023-2027 Human Services Grants Program Funding Recommendations Dear City Councilmembers, JVS SoCal is honored to be a recommended funding recipient for the Human Services Grants Programming to fund our Santa Monica Youth Employment program. JVS SoCal has been building better lives, one job at a time by empowering individuals to achieve dignity and economic independence through sustainable employment for 93 years. We have been fortunate to partner with the City of Santa Monica to provide our Santa Monica Youth Employment Program (SMYEP) for at least 13 of those years. We have operated the SMYEP in partnership with the staff at Virginia Avenue Park (Park). We receive participants from the Park and we provide services on-site, and we place youth in their first jobs in various programs at the Park. We not only receive referrals from Virginia Avenue Park, but from Olympic High School, Santa Monica High School and the City’s Youth Resource Team. Furthermore, many of the youth we serve introduce their friends, parents and other family members to the youth and adult services JVS SoCal has available through the West Los Angeles America’s Job Center we operate. It is a successful program and partnership, so we respectfully as for the City Council to support staff’s recommendation. Sincerely, Jeff Carr CEO ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1402 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Frisco Fayer To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:24:20 AM EXTERNAL I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities. Sincerely, Frisco Law & Mediation Office of Frisco Fayer {website} 100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700 Santa Monica, CA (310) 917-1074 CONFIDENTIALITY: This message may contain privileged information for the specified recipient(s) only. Unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or use is prohibited. If received in error, please contact us by phone or email and delete the message. Thank you. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1403 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Maria Franco To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 6:01:10 AM EXTERNAL  Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As an employee and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well- being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community I have taught at Growing Place Marine Park for over 12 years. In those twelve years, I have partnered with over 150 Santa Monica parents and nurtured over 200 of our youngest Santa Monica residents. The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Maria Franco Santa Monica Childcare Workforce Sent from my iPhone 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.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1404 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1405 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Alison Havel To:councilmtgitems Subject:SM CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: 11.B FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 5:05:19 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: Thank you for your hard work and difficult decisions regarding our community's funding priorities. These decisions are difficult, and I want to acknowledge the Council's dedication to meeting our community's needs. In particular, I want to highlight the importance of funding for early childhood education and care programs in Santa Monica and urge you to support the City staff's funding recommendations for the Human Services Grants Program (HSGP). As a resident of Santa Monica and parent of two kids in our public schools, I can attest that investing in early childhood programs is critical for ensuring our children's and families' success. The education and support that my daughter received through both The Growing Place and Lincoln Child Development Center (part of SMMUSD) led her to get access to critical early intervention services for occupational therapy and social skills. Today, she is a successful, independent sophomore at Santa Monica High School, but I know she wouldn't be where she is without the programs we were able to access starting at age three. We initially found The Growing Place through a referral from Connections for Children, and that I why I currently volunteer as a Board Member for that organization. ALL CHILDREN, regardless of income, deserve to have access to quality child care and early childhood education opportunities that my children had. The grant that the City of Santa Monica provide to the Growing Place at Marine Park and to Connections for Children through HSGP helps make these high quality programs available to residents of our city. Again, I want to express my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the CityCouncil and our City Staff. Thank you in advance for your consideration with regardsto the funding recommendation for the HSGP. Keep families earning, children learning, and communities growing! Sincerely, Alison Havel 22-year resident of Santa Monica Parent of two students at JAMS and SAMOHI Board Member and Fund Development Chair, Connections for Children Former Board Member, The Growing Place Board Member, Santa Monica Education Foundation alison.havel@gmail.com ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1406 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Garrett Bradford To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 6:40:24 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Garrett Bradford ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1407 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Glynna Grimala To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 9:40:46 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica/workforce in Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality childcare services to families in our city. I am a single, working mother. Both my children have attended The Growing Place and I can honestly say the reason we’re not only surviving but thriving is thanks to the incredible education and support we receive at the Growing Place. The staff and teachers are the most impressive group of educators I have had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with. My two sons have been cared for and prepared for their next steps because of the Growing Place. Additionally, I have been able to keep my job and support my family because my children have child care. Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet. Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most. I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive. Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica! ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1408 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Sincerely, Glynna Grimala Santa Monica Resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1409 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Jessica Reynaga To:councilmtgitems Cc:Jennifer Cowan Subject:Public Comment: Agenda Item 11, B Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 4:47:14 PM Attachments:image001.png EXTERNAL Hello, As the Director of Programs at Connections for Children, I would like to submit the following comment on behalf of one of our child care providers, Celia Fisher, who provided permission for this statement to be shared: “My name is Celia Fisher, and I have been the Director of Beach Moms Child Development Center at 1720 Broadway Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404 since it first opened on December 24th, 2012. We recently celebrated our 10-year anniversary. Before opening this center, I spent eight years as a Family Child Care Provider. Had it not been for Connections for Children (CFC), I wouldn’t still be doing this work. I am submitting this public comment to ask the City Council to fully fund Connections for Children’s HSGP request. I started out as a client with CFC. I met Martha (CFC Subsidized Program Manager) and Connie (CFC Emergency Child Care Bridge Navigator) when I utilized the subsidy program service for my kids while working at Los Angeles Unified School District. Back then, I was working and studying at Santa Monica College (SMC) at the same time. Those were hard nights, but I got through it thanks to CFC. My cousin, Shelly Crawford, was working at CFC at the time. She worked in the Resource and Referral Department and helped parents find child care across the city. Shelly was the one who suggested that I start my family child care business. I was part of the pilot group of quality support coaching through Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP). That’s what got me prepared to open my own center. I eventually moved across the street from SMC, and during that time, a family child care provider who lived across from me helped me take care of my kids. CFC made it possible for me to provide service to families in the subsidized program; this was important to me because it’s where I came from. 90% of my enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic came from CFC’s subsidized program. When everything else was shut down, CFC allowed me to stay employed, pay my bills and my employees. I wouldn’t have made it through the pandemic otherwise. Being a subsidized program provider also encouraged me to be an active member of my ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1410 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) community. I am now on the Board of Directors for the City of Santa Monica’s Chamber of Commerce. I am starting to grow a passion for supporting other small businesses in the area and am proud to represent people of color on the Board. We have to be there and be present as a voice for our community. The trainings, subsidized program, and support I received through CFC from staff like Sharon (CFC Professional Development Coach) and Sonia (CFC Resource & Referral Program Supervisor) really helped develop me as a leader and a business woman. This is why I urge the City Council to fully fund Connections for Children’s HSGP request. Sincerely, Celia Fisher Director of Beach Moms Child Development Center” Thank you, ----- Dr. Jessica Reynaga, EdD, MSW Director of Programs 5901 W. Century Blvd., Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90045 P: (310) 452-3325, Ext. 226 F: (310) 452-3984 www.connectionsforchildren.org You can make a difference for our youngest learners by donating today! ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1411 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Holli C To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 9:25:23 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality child care services to families in our city. Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet. Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most. I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive. Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica! Sincerely, Holli Clark Santa Monica Resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1412 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Jenny Hu To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 10:01:55 PM EXTERNAL Dear Councilmembers, I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the City of Santa Monica's continued funding for the Growing Place Marine Park through the Human Services Grant Program (HSGP). I am a resident of Santa Monica in the Pico neighborhood and my husband is an employee of a Santa Monica-based company. I am a healthcare professional. My family benefited directly from the city's support of Growing Place Marine Park, where both of my children were cared for until they graduated and transitioned to SMMUSD schools. My husband and I both have demanding full-time jobs and there was no way we could have continued to earn a living (or live in Santa Monica at all) without the year-round, full-day care that Growing Place provided for us. I dropped my children off every morning with a happy heart knowing that they would be cared for in a loving and nurturing environment by a truly professional staff. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is often limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This is doubly true in the aftermath of the pandemic, when so many providers were forced to shut down and were not able to recover. We also learned just how important reliable childcare is the ability for parents (especially mothers) to stay in the workforce. I truly believe that our community's economic recovery will depend on the availability of childcare for working families. That means each and every spot for an infant or toddler means another working parent (most often women) who is able to return to work. By casting your vote in support of the HSGP for Growing Place Marine Park, you're casting a vote for the future of our community. Thank you, Jenny Hu Santa Monica resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1413 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Josie James To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:54:00 AM EXTERNAL TO: SM CITY COUNCIL (councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov) SUBJECT: FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica and in the Santa Monica workforce I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality childcare services to families in our city. My family would not have been able to work or live in Santa Monica without the Growing Place establishment. It is so difficult to find qualified help for full time working families that will help prepare our children both educationally and emotionally for the people they will become. We would not have financially made it without a program such as Growing place between the cost of living and the cost of child care as well as the hours we needed it. Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet. Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most. I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive. Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica! ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1414 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Sincerely, Jo Anna Provencher Parent, Santa Monica Resident and Santa Monica work force member ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1415 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Kabir Chopra To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 8:43:28 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. -- Kabir Chopra ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1416 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Other Office Locations: Ron Olson Justice Center, 1550 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 East Los Angeles, 5301 Whittier Blvd., 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90022 Long Beach, 601 Pacific Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 South Los Angeles, 7000 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90003 Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles 1640 5th St., Suite 124 Santa Monica, CA 90401 May 9, 2023 VIA E-MAIL councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov Mayor Davis and City Council City of Santa Monica 1685 Main Street, Room 209 Santa Monica, CA 90401 RE: May 9, 2023 City Council Special Meeting – Agenda Items 11.A and 11.B Specifically Item 11.A(7): Authorization for City Manager to Execute First Modification to Agreement with LAFLA for the Eviction Prevention and Right to Counsel programs; and, Item 11.B: HSGP Funding Recommendations Dear Mayor and City Council, I write on behalf of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (“LAFLA”), and the low-income residents of Santa Monica we serve every day. LAFLA’s Santa Monica community office has served residents for nearly 30 years and seeks to continue its hard work going forward. We offer free legal assistance and representation in: (i) housing disputes and eviction cases; (ii) applications for domestic violence restraining orders and family law orders; and (iii) access and maintenance of public benefits. To that end, we support the staff recommendations in Items 11.A(7) and 11.B. Item 11.A(7): Funding for Eviction Prevention and Right to Counsel Programs According to the Judicial Council of California, “Eviction is one of the most urgent civil law issues for low-income individuals and families.” We agree. As you know, Santa Monica residents are at greater risk of homelessness and housing insecurity than ever before. Between the Right to Counsel program and our HSGP housing work, we have seen a nearly 28% increase in unduplicated Santa Monica residents assisted with housing cases from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2023. We only see that number increasing in the future. Further, a study by Stout Risius Ross, LLC (Stout) found that in the County of Los Angeles, 97% of tenants with unsealed eviction cases were unrepresented, as opposed to only 12% of landlords. Stout’s analysis of court-assigned case outcomes for unrepresented tenants indicated that 94% of ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1417 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) May 9, 2023 2 unrepresented tenants had a high likelihood of experiencing disruptive displacement through the eviction process. We seek to stem the tide of disruptive displacement to the benefit of tenants and their families, as well as the community as a whole. The City of Santa Monica is in a unique position of having both the resources to address the plight of unrepresented tenants, as well as the practical ability to implement such a program. The continued funding of the Santa Monica Right to Counsel program should be an example to the rest of the county. In the last 12 months of the Right to Counsel program, in cases where we have provided representation in the unlawful detainer litigation, roughly 70% of tenants have remained in their housing, with the other 30% granted some combination of additional time, a waiver, a sealed record, or a soft landing in new housing. Indeed, representation in unlawful detainers is homelessness prevention, and the program has been successful. As such, we appreciate the counsel’s consideration of this funding, and its commitment to address the ongoing homelessness crisis. We support the recommendation of staff in Item 11.A(7) as part of a larger strategy to address homelessness and housing insecurity in Santa Monica. Item 11.B: HSGP Funding Recommendations – Community Office and Domestic Violence Clinic in Santa Monica Courthouse The LAFLA community office has been a fixture in Santa Monica for nearly three decades. In addition to the vital litigation work addressed above, this HSGP funded program also engages in a large amount of pre-litigation prevention work, finding solutions so tenants and their landlords never have to go to court in the first place. While these attorneys also engage in plenty of unlawful detainer litigation (alongside the Right to Counsel program), there is an emphasis on problem-solving and engagement to avoid litigation where possible. We further support the staff recommendation to continue funding our long-running domestic violence clinic in the Santa Monica courthouse. The need to protect domestic violence survivors continues to grow. Studies have shown that intimate partner violence increased during the pandemic, even if reporting of that violence did not. However, more survivors are seeking protection as restrictions and the pandemic has lessened. As of January 1, 2023, we saw a nearly 35% increase in Santa Monica residents who received legal services from the DV Clinic compared to the same time in 2022. LAFLA provides this vital assistance to survivors of domestic violence, as well as support in divorce, custody, and child support cases in a manner most convenient for the client, whether that be through Zoom or in-person assistance. This blended model allows us to serve traditionally hard-to-reach clients and provides the widest access to survivors seeking protection from domestic violence. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1418 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) May 9, 2023 3 Finally, HSGP also funds our benefits work for Santa Monica residents. LAFLA provides advice and support regarding government benefits such as Social Security, SSI, Food Stamps, and CalWORKs. Especially in light of the economic hardships experienced by so many due to COVID-19, keeping residents connected to these benefits is essential to their well-being. Conclusion All of these services are part and parcel with LAFLA’s holistic treatment of our clients, recognizing their issues are multi-faceted and often require more than one type of support to resolve. Accordingly, we support the recommendations of staff with regard to the Right to Counsel program in Item 11.A(7) and the HSGP funding outlined in Item 11.B. Very truly yours, Kevin F. Mitchell Managing Attorney ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1419 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:mike morrell To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 1:20:43 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. > ϻɪĸє ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1420 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Alvaro Moya To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 10:51:22 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1421 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Karen Page To:councilmtgitems Subject:MOW Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 10:07:19 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West." Sincerely Karen Page -- Karen 424-435-9150 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1422 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Christine Peng To:councilmtgitems Subject:Agenda Item 11.B - public support Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 9:56:01 AM EXTERNAL Greetings City Council of Santa Monica, This message is written in full support and celebration of SEWI - the Social Emotional Wellness Initiative. It is my understanding that SEWI has been nominated to receive a city grant to expand their mental health and wellness work throughout schools in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. This would be a phenomenal act of love for the youth and families served by the SMMUSD. SEWI makes amazing impacts with young people of all ages in all areas of Los Angeles County, and having such a broad presence in Santa Monica will ensure that SEWI's beautifully constructed programs can help more of our young people change their lives for the better! Thank you for having Santa Monica's best interests in mind and approving SEWI's funding. We as a community will all be better for it! Sincerely, Christine Peng ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1423 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Rachel To:councilmtgitems Subject:SUBJECT: FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 1:53:14 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Rachel Witenstein Santa Monica Resident & Parent Santa Monica Business Owner, Camp Cosmo ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1424 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Jessica Reynaga To:councilmtgitems Cc:Jennifer Cowan Subject:Public Comment: Agenda Item 11, B Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 1:02:56 PM Attachments:image001.png EXTERNAL Hello, As the Director of Programs at Connections for Children, I would like to submit the following comment on behalf of one of our subsidy clients, Maribel Jimenez, who provided permission for this statement to be shared: “My name is Maribel Jimenez and I am a parent that receives subsidy funding from Connections for Children. I am submitting this comment to ask the City Council to fully fund CFC’s HSGP funding request. Connection for Children really helps families in our community. They are so caring, understanding and always willing to help. They have helped me so much. I really feel they understand the needs you are going through and they help you out. I have to say David was my go-to person even when he wasn’t in charge of my child’s file or case I would call him for any concern and he was always so quick to answer or return my call. I had to change my son to a different school due to his present diagnosis and David guided me on what to do, who to call for a switch of school, and to top it off, when I apologized for always calling him he assured me it was not a problem and to call with any questions. He said, that if he wasn’t able to help me, he would guide me to the right person, and he did. I don’t know how to thank this program and staff. Having your child diagnosed with a disability and trying to get him help and finding places are very overwhelming. Paying for day care just adds more stress; I am soooo thankful that CFC helped me out and got a bit of stress off my back. Amazing service. I could go on and on about how much more they helped my child and me but just want to say I’m blessed to be able to be part of this program. Again, I ask the City Council to fully fund Connections for Children’s HSGP request so they can continue to help more families like mine. Sincerely, Maribel Jimenez” ----- Dr. Jessica Reynaga, EdD, MSW Director of Programs ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1425 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) 5901 W. Century Blvd., Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90045 P: (310) 452-3325, Ext. 226 F: (310) 452-3984 www.connectionsforchildren.org You can make a difference for our youngest learners by donating today! ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1426 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Brittany Rogers To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Monday, May 8, 2023 10:13:40 PM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: * Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy * Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care * Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Best, Brittany Rogers, SM resident and business owner ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1427 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Teri Rawson To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B 2023-2027 Human Services Grants Program Funding recommendation for Growing Place Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 7:00:05 AM EXTERNAL Hello, I’d like to add my voice in support of the Growing Place Marine Park campus. I have taught at Marine Park for over seven years. The community of families that depend on the MP campus are an integral part of the overall Santa Monica community. Please keep this valuable, quality educational source in tact for the many children who thrive there. Thank you, Terilyn Rawson Childcare Workforce Sent from my iPhone -- *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.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1428 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Mike Terranova To:councilmtgitems Subject:Agenda Item 11B- HSGP Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 12:04:49 PM EXTERNAL Dear Council: Please support staff’s proposed guidelines to the HSGP. Our city is home to 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. Your support helps secure a better future for our city’s youngest residents. Mike Terranova Sunset Park Resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1429 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Shelby Scott To:councilmtgitems Subject:I volunteer for Meals on Wheels Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 6:19:05 PM EXTERNAL Dear Santa Monica City Councilmembers, I deliver meals to people in Santa Monica and see the difference that MOW West makes in the lives of seniors, veterans and other people that have difficulty getting around. MOW West is an efficient, impactful organization and has strong community support. I know that for decades Meals on Wheels has been serving homebound people in Santa Monica. I understand that this year MOW West will deliver more than 200,000 nutritious meals to people’s door. I help deliver those meals and it makes the recipients happy to have a visitor. Most of them live alone. As a volunteer we keep an eye on the people we deliver to, performing Wellness Checks that monitor people’s health and wellness. We tell Angel, Jen and MOW staff about things clients need or if they are ill and they follow-up. MOW staff make referrals to healthcare and other agencies that can help. Many of MOW West’s clients are formerly homeless people and they need help. MOW West has strong community support and was voted Favorite Non-profit in the SM Daily Press poll. I urge you to support the funding of MOW West. Sincerely, Lauren Scott ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1430 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Adrianna Whitehead To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.A.2 FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 8:00:20 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am emailing you to express my support for The Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program; to sustain its programming to young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this program. High-quality early childhood education and care supports the City’s priorities: Cultivate Economic Recovery - childcare is essential to working families, so we can continue our jobs/careers and participate in our local economy Equity and Social Diversity - women who must re-enter the workforce after childbirth need access to infant care Sustainable and Connected Community - child development centers enhance the well-being of families and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community The benefits are endless for children and parents who attend this twenty-three-year established family resource. Please, invest in early childhood education and provide financial assistance to families who need it most; this will ensure all Santa Monica children and families have the opportunity to thrive! A majority of Santa Monica residents are renters, this financial assistance helps lots of families who are struggling to pay for childcare. Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Sincerely, Adrianna W. Spilatro 818-744-0587 View My Profile Sent from Outlook ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1431 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Mackensie Yore To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:40:29 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am expressing my support for Growing Place Marine Park to continue to receive City funding through the Human Services Grant Program to sustain its programming for young children and families in our City. As a resident of Santa Monica and a working parent, I urge the City to sustain this critical program, to ensure it is accessible and affordable for the working parents who power this city. Full-day, high-quality early childcare is essential for working families. The high quality of care available in Santa Monica is the reason we moved here and is the primary reason we would stay; HSGP support allows greater access to Growing Place's program and expands the income range of families able to attend. Investing in and expanding access to high-quality early childcare yields sound economic returns, increases gender and income equity, and builds the Santa Monica of tomorrow. Sincerely, Mackensie Yore Santa Monica Resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1432 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Tracy Yen To:councilmtgitems Subject:11.B. 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) Funding Recommendation for Growing Place Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:18:37 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a resident of Santa Monica, raising three young children, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality child care services to families in our city. Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet. Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most. I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive. Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica! Sincerely, Tracy Lochran Santa Monica Resident ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1433 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) From:Annel Zavala To:councilmtgitems Subject:FY2023-27 HSGP Funding Recommendations Date:Tuesday, May 9, 2023 11:43:44 AM EXTERNAL Dear Mayor Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Councilmembers: I am writing to express my support for childcare in Santa Monica. As a previous resident of Santa Monica and current part of the workforce in Santa Monica, I benefit from the HSGP through the Growing Place Marine Park; I understand the importance of providing quality child care services to families in our city. As a Santa Monica native from a low-income household. I clearly remember my parents' constant struggle to make ends meet. I disciplined myself in school to ensure that I would grow up and serve the Santa Monica community I love so much. I became an Early Childhood Educator because I know the value of a child’s first developmental years. I chose Growing Place Marine Park because it strives to serve low-income Santa Monica residents. I urge the council to continue to fund Growing Place Marine Park to support low income families’ access to high quality care. Child care is essential for working parents who need a safe and nurturing environment for their children while they are at work. It also plays a critical role in the development of young children, providing them with early education and socialization opportunities that are essential for their future success. Unfortunately, access to quality infant/toddler/preschool programs is limited due to high costs, long waiting lists, and limited availability of licensed childcare providers. This significantly burdens working parents, especially low-income families who struggle to make ends meet. Our City must do everything it can to support Santa Monica families and ensure our children have access to quality child care. This includes investing in early childhood education and providing financial assistance to families who need it most. I urge the Santa Monica City Council to prioritize child care as a critical infrastructure component of our community. Investing in child care supports working families, promotes early education, and ensures that all children and families in our community have the opportunity to thrive. Keep children learning, parents earning, and communities growing in Santa Monica! ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1434 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Sincerely, Annel Zavala Santa Monica Childcare Workforce Annel Zavala Co-lead Teacher | Growing Place, Marine Park 1406 Marine Street Santa Monica, CA 90405 310-392-9737 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.B. May 9, 2023 ITEM.11.B. May 9, 2023 11.B.g Packet Pg. 1435 Attachment: ITEM.11.B.Written Comments (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) FY 2023-27 Human Services Grants Program Funding Recommendation Santa Monica City Council May 9, 2023 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1436 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) RFP Release & Review Panel Scoring Staff Funding Recommendation Grantee Performance Management Next Steps Agenda 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1437 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) RFP Release and Review Panel Development RFP Release Review Panel Development Released in September 2022 to community members, news outlets, and vendors. Staff partnered with the We are Santa Monica Fund Advisory Board to recruit 42 Review Panelists. Independent contractor, Elizabeth Anderson Consulting, was hired to facilitate the review panel process. 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1438 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Review Panel Scoring See Attachment E for complete list of review panel scoring results. 31 proposals received from 24 agencies 5 panelists scored each proposal,scores were averaged to produce one final score Proposals scored above 75% were considered for funding Proposals scored below 75% are not recommended for funding< > 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1439 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Staff Funding Recommendation: HSGP Funds $7.92 Million General Funds $11.6 Million $2.225 Mill. Restricted Supp. Funds Available Funding Requested Funding $10.146 million total available funding 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1440 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Staff Funding Recommendation: Steps Taken Step 1 Fund all proposals that scored above 75% with the following exceptions: •Providence Saint John’s ‘Preschool Wellness Consultation’ •Cancer Support Community Los Angeles’ two program proposals –(1) ‘Santa Monica Women’ and (2) ‘Older Adults and Seniors’ 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1441 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Staff Funding Recommendation: Steps Taken Step 1 Fund all proposals that scored above 75% with the following exceptions: •Providence Saint John’s ‘Preschool Wellness Consultation’ •Cancer Support Community Los Angeles’ two program proposals –(1) ‘Santa Monica Women’ and (2) ‘Older Adults and Seniors’ Step 2 Set a baseline level of investment in all programs recommended for funding at 85% of the requested grant amount % 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1442 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Staff Funding Recommendation: Steps Taken Step 1 Fund all proposals that scored above 75% with the following exceptions: •Providence Saint John’s ‘Preschool Wellness Consultation’ •Cancer Support Community Los Angeles’ two program proposals –(1) ‘Santa Monica Women’ and (2) ‘Older Adults and Seniors’ Step 2 Set a baseline level of investment in all programs recommended for funding at 85% of the requested grant amount Step 3 Fund programs above 85% that advance Council priorities and address known needs among the community’s most vulnerable members % 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1443 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Programs Recommended for Funding Above 85% Staff Funding Recommendation See table in Attachment A. Agency Program Amount Chrysalis SM Employment Center $ 282,783 CLARE MATRIX Help Empower Linkage Program $ 340,240 Connections for Children SM Early Education $ 1,492,043 Disability Community Resource Center Independent Living $ 205,285 Family Service of Santa Monica Integrated Mental Health $ 671,472 Growing Place Marine Park Child Dev. Center $ 212,500 Haven Neighborhood Services Beyond the Bank $ 115,600 Hospitality Training Academy SM Jobs Initiative $ 109,907 JVS SoCal SM Youth Employment $ 170,190 Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Community Legal Services $ 696,873 Meals on Wheels West Delivering More than a Meal $ 61,850 Santa Monica College Pico Partnership $ 226,971 Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative Youth Mental Health & Wellness $ 147,042 St. Joseph Center Older Adults Health and Wellness $842,060 St. Joseph Center Youth Resource Team $ 768,631 The People Concern 24/7 Samoshel Interim Housing $ 2,082,488 The People Concern Housing Retention $ 200,000 Venice Family Clinic Comprehensive Care $ 255,000 Westside Food Bank Emergency Food Distribution $ 175,000 WISE & Healthy Aging Care Management / Adult Day Programs $ 560,671 WISE & Healthy Aging Club WISE and WISE Diner $ 528,988 $10,145,594 Total: 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1444 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Staff Funding Recommendation: Balanced Portfolio 2% 26% 18%17% 37% $10.146 Million Total Available Funding Additional Underserved Populations 17% People Experiencing Homelessness 26% Youth & Families 37% Seniors 18% People with Disabilities 2% 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1445 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Funding Recommendation by Primary Population People Experiencing Homelessness Youth & Families People w/ Disabilities Seniors Additional Underserved Populations Agency Program Amount CLARE MATRIX Help Empower Linkage Program $ 340,240 The People Concern 24/7 Samoshel Interim Housing $ 2,082,488 The People Concern Housing Retention $ 200,000 Connections for Children SM Early Education $ 1,492,043 Family Service of Santa Monica Integrated Mental Health $ 671,472 Growing Place Marine Park Child Dev. Center $ 212,500 JVS SoCal SM Youth Employment $ 170,190 Santa Monica College Pico Partnership $ 226,971 Social & Emotional Wellness Initiative Youth Mental Health & Wellness $ 147,042 St. Joseph Center Youth Resource Team $ 768,631 Disability Community Resource Center Independent Living $ 205,285 St. Joseph Center Older Adults Health and Wellness $842,060 WISE & Healthy Aging Care Management / Adult Day Programs $ 560,671 WISE & Healthy Aging Club WISE and WISE Diner $ 528,988 Chrysalis SM Employment Center $ 282,783 Haven Neighborhood Services Beyond the Bank $ 115,600 Hospitality Training Academy SM Jobs Initiative $ 109,907 Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles Community Legal Services $ 696,873 Meals on Wheels West Delivering More than a Meal $ 61,850 Venice Family Clinic Comprehensive Care $ 255,000 Westside Food Bank Emergency Food Distribution $ 175,000 $10,145,594 Total: 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1446 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Demographics of Recommended Agencies Gender 45% Majority Female Boards 72% Majority Female Executive Teams 83% Majority Female Program Management Race/Ethnicity 17% Majority BIPOC Boards 45% Majority BIPOC Executive Teams 77% Majority BIPOC Program Management 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1447 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Community Impact & Council Priorities Residents have access to & succeed in education & training Residents are physically, mentally, & emotionally healthyResidents are socially & economically secure Lifelong Learning Stability Health & Wellness Impact areas also advance Council priorities. 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1448 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Grantee Performance Management: Public Reporting Introduce year-end assessments of program and fiscal performance Continue to publicly post year-end program and fiscal status reports Status reports are posted online santamonica.gov/human-services-grants-program-reports 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1449 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Grantee Performance Management: Assessment All programs begin the grant cycle in good standing. Good Standing Probation can result in a: •Performance Improvement Plan •Grant reduction •Termination of grant agreement ProbationProgram Status 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1450 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants) Fall 2022: Identified review panel and released RFP (9/28/22). Winter 2022/23: Closed RFP (1/18/23) and began review process. May 9, 2023:Council to consider funding recommendation; staff begins negotiating new HSGP grant agreements following Council approval. May 23, 2023: Council holds annual Budget Study Session; approved HSGP funding is incorporated into the Proposed FY 2023 -25 Biennial Budget. June 27, 2023: Council adopts the FY 2023-25 Biennial Budget; staff begins executing new HSGP grant agreements following Budget Adoption. July 1, 2023: Begin new funding cycle. Next Steps 11.B.h Packet Pg. 1451 Attachment: PowerPoint Presentation (5579 : Approve Awards for 2023-27 HSD Grants)