SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval of the Marion County Standard Professional Services Agreement Challenge Grant with Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans, Inc. (Budget Impact - Neutral; not to exceed $100,000)
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Cheryl Butler, Director |
Community Services |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
On July 15, 2025, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved a three (3) year contract with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to distribute state and federal funds, administered through the Ocala/Marion Joint Office on Homelessness Continuum of Care (CoC) FL-514, to support local homeless service providers. Funding awarded under this contract is provided on a reimbursement basis for eligible expenses incurred by subrecipients in accordance with the grant requirements.
Total funding anticipated to Marion County:
• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): $242,339.34
• Challenge Grant: $800,664.84
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Grant: $31,574.33
• Total: $1,074,578.51
As part of the approved CoC plan, nonprofit organizations were invited to apply for funding for projects that meet community priorities. Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans, Inc., a local non-profit, requested $100,000 from the challenge grant. These funds will provide street outreach services to engage Veterans living on the streets in Marion County. Through street outreach, Veterans Helping Veterans, Inc. will locate homeless Veterans, engage them and refer approximately 150 Veterans to services so they can become stably housed and self-sufficient.
Subrecipients must spend and request reimbursement for at least 50% of awarded-funds by January 15, 2027. If this benchmark is not met, the County may review progress and reallocate unspent funds to another approved provider. The agreement runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and has been awarded $100,000 in challenge grant funds.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral; not to exceed $100,000
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve and authorize the Chairman and Clerk to execute the agreement between Marion County and Veterans Helping Veterans, Inc. to include all necessary documents associated with this agreement.