What happens if they don't submit proposals until mid June? Are you going to wait until then to tell them that the contract is up? 239 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 Or maybe do you take a proactive approach and say: Look, we have many major -- we have two major issues that we have -- that we're proposing some more fundamental changes here? We need your proposals.
We would call them before. We would talk to them to get their proposals, and get the issues before us before then.
Okay. And I agree with Councilman Nutter -- and you'll probably agree with this because this is probably a labor issue -- that stated that we probably need better coordination with our different respective labor-related shops within the government. As former Director of Labor Standards, I handled probably on a daily basis issues of labor management that you were sent to my office.
And those, you know, never got into the media. It never, 240 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 you know, came to, you know, to the attention of the... even the members of this Council or other people in government. But it's always very satisfying for me and very important for our daily relationship between management and the labor. But I do agree that there should be a more... a more coordinated effort because there is another labor-related shop within the government -- and this slips me now -- that handles, you know, some of these type of issues. But I think that we will probably come a long way if we... if we can better coordinate, you know, the labor management issues within the government.
Coordination and cooperation always helps -- usually helps or most times helps.
Thank you, Councilman. 241 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 Are there any more questions for these witnesses? (No response.)
We thank you. Now Mayor's Office for Information Services. We thank you for your patience. We ask that you come forward, identify yourself for the record, and begin your testimony. And certainly we thank you, because your time is 10:45, so we're just a little bit past that. But at any rate, we're glad to have you, and thank you for your patience. Good afternoon.
Good afternoon. I was going to say good morning, but it's good afternoon. Madam Chairman and members of City Council, I'm Diana Neff, the Chief Information Officer for the Mayor's Office of Information Services. I am pleased to present, on behalf 242 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 of the entire staff, the testimony for the fiscal year 2005. With me this afternoon is Michael Dean, my First Deputy CIO; and Debbie Beatrice, the Director of the Administrative Services Center. The Mayor's Office of Information Services works in partnership with City agencies to implement and manage information systems that support and enhance City government operations. MOIS coordinates the City's information technology activities by providing centralized planning, enterprise IT standards, IT project management, computer training, enterprise GIS, and desktop support. MOIS also operates the City's central data center, the metropolitan-wide area network known as CityNet, and the operations support center. MOIS is requesting a total of $11,179,254 from the General Fund for the fiscal year 2005, $6,265,767 in Class 100 243 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 for 101 full-time positions; $4,750,853 in Class 200 for computer hardware maintenance, software licenses, training, and project management support; and $162,634 in Class 300 and 400 for materials, supplies, and equipment. This General Fund request represents a $1,493,226 decrease from the fiscal year 2004 estimated obligations. This decrease represents a reduction of in budgeted 12 full-time staff positions from last year. 13 Eight of those positions were 14 eliminated from the MOIS budget as a result 15 of the transfer and reorganization of 16 personnel from MOIS to the new 17 administrative service center. 18 At this time... Oh, excuse me. In 19 the Water fund we are requesting a total of $1,037,129: $708,779 in Class 100 for 12 full-time positions; and 292,000 in Class 200 for hardware, software maintenance; $36,350 in Class 300 and 400 for the materials, supplies and equipment. The Water fund request represents an increase 244 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 of $22,663 from fiscal year 2004 submitted obligations. This increase reflects additional personnel costs associated with the existing Water Fund staff. The grants funds we are requesting is a total of $3,938,500 which is a net increase of $769,450. In support of the technology projects for the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, we are requesting $3,800,000. This represents an increase of $900,000 from FY '04 for the Records Department GIS project. These other funds will be used to complete the Unified Land Records System, the Vacant Property Management Information System, and develop needed interface programs to support the sharing of property information among the departments and City's NTI business partners. A hundred thousand dollar Federal Homeland Security grant will be used to acquire additional aerial photography and planimetric mapping in the support of homeland security. 245 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 In FY '05 MOIS will use 25,000 from a Productivity Bank Loan to continue implementation of electronic bail presentment and payment system. The Productivity Bank is funding this initiative for a total cost of $175,550. MOIS has received 125,550 in FY '04 to put this capacity in place. The additional funds for MOIS in FY '05, along with 25,000 for the Records Department, will be used to embed this credit card payment capability into existing web based applications at the Records Department and elsewhere in the City. A grant from Drexel University of 13,500 is to document a governance model process for the content management of the City's web site. Madam Chair, if you would like, I could end my testimony at that time, due to the lateness of the hour, and open it to questions.
You are kind. Thank you. 246 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 Any questions. Thank you very much. Councilwoman Tasco.
What is the percentage of your professional service contracts held by MWBEs?
I have it. For the fiscal FY '04 and through the balance of this year, we are estimating on a base contract of $2,511,985 that $628,603 or 25.02 percent will be placed with minority, women-owned businesses.
Our level range is anywhere from 10 to 27 percent, depending on the type of contract and the services being provided.
Some of them are a 25 hundred percent to minority- and 247 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 women-owned businesses. Others we require on our RFP process that the primes come in with minority- and women-owned business sub-partners.
Do you find that there are many companies that will do business with you who are minority and women? Who made this -- the standards able to do the hundred percent? And if so, how many of them get the hundred percent? Some of the primes. Are some of the subs have the capability to be primes?
Right. We have... Let's see. One two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten of the contracts, of which one, two, three, four, five, six are primes and are minority- or women-owned businesses.
And the others are large corporations like IBM, are online training, and... Some -- Our training either has minority participation or direct minority firms. 248 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04
Thank you very much. Are there further questions? (No response.)
All right. Then we will go to the Mayor's Office of Community Services. And we thank you for your patience. Welcome those forward. We are going to testify in the area of Community Services. (No response.)
We note that written testimony indicates that the Empowerment Zone and we know Community folks are testifying. And the Mayor's Office of Community Services, we would welcome you to come forward. Thank you.
Good morning, Madam President. Mr. Ralph P. Blakney, who's the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of 249 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 Community Services is on his way. Shall I proceed in reading the testimony that is prepared for you or shall I let Miss Gladstein go first?
Thank you. My name is Eva Gladstein. I'm Executive Director of the Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community Office. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today. Given the hour, what I will do is just briefly summarize our testimony, as I know you have it in written form in front of you. The budget for the Empowerment Zone is $17,758,798, of which $711,753 is in the General Fund and $17,047,045 is from the Grants Fund. This represents a decrease of 250 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 $58,299 from estimated obligations in General Funds from fiscal year '04, and an increase of $695 over estimated obligations in Grant Funds from fiscal year '04. The General Fund covers our personnel and associated costs of administering the two programs. The Grant Funds are used to fund three staff positions, and they make adequate funding available for all of the programs that flow from the Empowerment Zone program. As you may know, the Empowerment Zone is a Federal grant program. It began in December 1994. Renewal Community program began more recently, with an award in January 2002. In both cases there are Federal tax incentives that are available in specific neighborhoods of the City through December 2009. I guess just to summarize the substance of our testimony, we wanted to share with you that... several of our 251 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 significant achievements. One is in creating national models to sustain the impact of our work. Another is in lending of $35 million and leveraging another $83 million through 187 loans made by community lending institutions, to promote economic growth in these neighborhoods. Thirdly, we have funded the cleaning and greening of more than acres of 12 vacant lots in Empowerment Zone 13 neighborhoods. 14 We've also helped spur the 15 revitalization of the Girard Avenue 16 corridor to bringing together 44 17 organizations in the Girard Coalition, 18 Incorporated. And finally, we've created strong collaborations in the Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community neighborhoods of residents, community-based organizations, businesses and city partners. And the rest of my testimony goes in to more example, but I will close with that 252 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 and see if there are any questions.
Thank you very much. We will ask you to begin, in the absence of Mr. Blakney. Please identify yourself.
He is already in the building. He asked for two minutes. Shall I proceed?
Any questions with regard to the Empowerment Zone? (No response.)
Why don't you begin reading, and then he can ... Councilwoman Tasco.
You know, you all are designating the areas for the renewal community. What was the criteria for selecting a community to be a renewal community?
Good afternoon, Councilwoman. There were H.U.D. requirements that capped the total population by the 1990 census, also 253 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 required at least a percent poverty level in each census tract, and a certain percentage of unemployment. And then again, the total of all the census tracts could not equal more than 200,000 in population as of the 1990 census. When we ended up designating 43 census tracts, they were -- that were eligible but -- Oh, and what follows is that all of it had to be contiguous. We could not have disparate areas of the City of Philadelphia. So all of the census tracts had to touch each other. So there were more areas that were eligible that we were not able to include within the population, and also because of the non-contiguous nature of some of the census tracts.
So, part of your North Philadelphia program touched a little bit on the Logan area and was contiguous. Could you tell me why part of that Logan area was not included in the 254 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 plan?
I believe that a small part of the Logan area is included in the plan, but not the major triangle.
I'm not talking about the triangle. Triangle wouldn't qualify. That was not an issue. The issue was going up Broad Street, Overbrook Road, where there's a large commercial strip and could have benefited from the use of these funds.
In fact, up North Broad and part of Old York Road is included in the community. I don't have the map with me here right now. Is there a specific census tract that you'd like to ask about? Because I'd be happy to get the information.
We had this discussion... I just wanted it for the record, because we had this discussion when they were deciding what part of the area would be included in the renewal community. 255 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 And we put forth an argument that it was contiguous to a portion of the renewal community. It should be extended a little bit, which could have been very helpful to a business strip that needs some help, and would cut down on... to kind of help us access dollars to revitalize that community and not have to count on General Fund dollars or dollars from other City departments. It would go, like, from maybe Wingohocking up, and it does not make -- does not -- and it is contiguous to the lower end.
Okay. I appreciate your concern, and I know we had that discussion.
Well, thank you. And I won't be mad at you. It's a political decision. Thank you.
Not to include anything in the Ninth District, because people are getting their digs in. I want 256 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 mine in, too.
That is certainly your right. And each of us are elected, and each of us must protect the people who put us here. We'll ask you to begin testimony, please, for Mr. Blakney.
Councilwoman Blackwell and members of City Council, I am reading the testimony of Mr. Ralph B. Blakney. I am Miss Dell Jones, the Director of Planning for the Mayor's Office of Community Services. I am here to provide a brief description of the work of the agency and present its proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2005. The Mayor's Office of Community Services, hereinafter referred to as MOCS, requests a fiscal year 2005 appropriation of $28,296,139 and $27,584,387 from the Grants Revenue Fund, and $711,753 from the General Fund. Miss Gladstein has already provided 257 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 her testimony for the Empowerment Zone. The budget of approximately $10.5 million for MOCS programs includes an increase of $963,361 from the fiscal year '04 estimated obligations. The increase in this appropriation will cover projected increases in various grant awards. The largest funding source is the Community Services Block Grant, which is known as the CSBG grant, a triennial grant awarded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The proposed CSBG operating budget for fiscal year '05 is $7,100,542. The amount of the grant is formula generated based on the percentage of the population identified as being at or below 125 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines. Subject to a plan that must be approved by the Commonwealth, the block grant allows flexibility in addressing the needs of low income communities. Madam... Councilwoman Blackwell, 258 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 I'd like to give deference to our Executive Director, Ralph Blakney, who is here to finish reading his testimony.
Okay. MOCS is the locally designated community action agency. Its mission is to coordinate resources, leverage funding, and provide services to move low-income persons towards self-sufficiency and out of poverty. There are 336,000 Philadelphia residents below the poverty level, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There are also another 414,000 Philadelphia residents below 125 percent of the poverty level and eligible for services through MOCS via the CSBG Block Grant. In fiscal year '04, MOCS was effective in a number of areas, including outreach to low income people and collaborations with organizations concerned 259 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 about poverty. In addition, the agency produced a new bilingual brochure to inform English and Spanish speaking communities of several programs and services. The agency also is partnered with the United States Postal Service and the Salvation Army to conduct a clothing drive. In fiscal year '05, and at the direction -- with the direction of the Mayor and the Managing Director, MOCS will implement a strategic realignment of its programs, following these guiding principles, one being to implement opportunities to work smarter and more efficiently, to eliminate duplicative and/or under-performing programs, to leverage partnerships to deliver services more effectively and efficiently, to leverage outside funding to support programs incubated by MOCS, and to continue to use the CSBG Block Grant funding to strategically leverage other grants. The realignment enhances MOCS' 260 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 ability to fulfill its mission to reduce and eradicate poverty. For example, by redirecting resources from programs that duplicate services already available throughout the City to programs for which there is a strong but unmet need, we are strategically filling a service niche, and we are making the most of our limited CSBG dollars. Another example is our partnership with DHS to fund the Fatherhood Initiative Program, a nationally recognized program that strives to improve the relationship between children and their non-custodial fathers. In recognition of the program's strong track record and its strategic relationship with the DHS mission, DHS will invest additional resources in the program during the fiscal year '05, and will thereby free up CSBG funds to be invested in other promising models. In addition, MOCS will invest some of its resources into eligible programs in 261 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 other departments. The Office of Adult Services will utilize $500,000 in CSBG funding in order to ensure that all shelter residents have case management services. This is consistent with MOCS' charge to move individuals to self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on entitlements. The Recreation Department will use $500,000 of CSBG funds to support its Older Adults Program. We are also looking for other opportunities to move more closely to connect MOCS' Older Adults Program with five older adult programs run by the Recreation Department. Finally, we are investing $250,000 to address recidivism. The prisons will utilize these new funds to expand their efforts to successfully reintegrate inmates who are returning to their communities. During fiscal year '05 we will also join with other organizations from across America and wholeheartedly support the 2004 262 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 No Room For Poverty Rally on September the 4, 2004. It has been 40 years since President B. Johnson began the War on Poverty, and the problems still persist. Therefore, in conclusion, I ask that this City Council support this rally with a resolution and other actions deemed appropriate by this body. At this time I will give deference to Mr. Blakney.
Thank you, Miss Jones. Fine job. Mr. Blakney, welcome. Is it true that your grants don't pay for the full costs of your employee fringe benefits? Can you clarify that?
Yes. In terms of the question about the fringes, I'd like to call on the fiscal director to answer that question, please. 263 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04
And as she's coming up, Majority Leader Blackwell, I sincerely apologize for not being here at the time that you called on our agency, but I was given information that we would be called a little later in the day. So, I thank you.
That will be fine. Of course, it is a little later. So we're glad you're here.
Oh, I'm sure. I'm sure. We have a great relationship with this department, and work with them on a daily basis, so -- so we know his commitment is real. Yes, ma'am.
Good afternoon. My name is Kirstin Ritter. I am from the Office of Community Services. Can you repeat the question, please?
I'm asking about employee fringe benefits. We 264 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 understand your grants don't cover that costs. Can you clarify?
That's correct. And we are rolling in those costs over the next several years. In the past, the City of Philadelphia has kicked in 100 percent of our fringe benefits. However, because it is a large amount, it's hard to... We feel like that might take away... That was at one point taken away from the services being provided to poor people. However, in the next several years we have and will be rolling in more money towards fringe benefits.
For 2004 Workwise Program, they received a $1.5 million increase in appropriations but spent about $180,000, we're told. Is the rest of the money being spent or why was it not spent?
Well, when we go... It's -- It's a tricky situation when we are dealing with the City of Philadelphia when 265 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 we're speaking about appropriations. And it's just that for the most part we are not aware of our appropriations amount at the time when we're preparing the operating budget. So most of the time it is a little bit less but we're not aware of... It's based on state, Federal Government regulations. So, that's basically what our actual grant award consists of. So, it can be a lot less, you know, as far as then the appropriations, so we don't usually truly use all the appropriations that we allocate. But in the case of we might have a large sum given, we want to make sure that there's enough appropriation power to cover any -- any grants that we might be awarded.
This is a question from Councilman Ramos who had to leave. Section 6, , Volume I of the CAFR lists a grant for program referred to as Latino Rights of Passage.
Okay. We actually have that program in coordination... Do you want to answer that? (No response.)
We actually have that grant in coordination with our Department of Human Services. And it is a spinoff, and I will probably ask Jizel Jones if... Do you want to...
The Latino program is administered by MOCS. There's a stat person in the agency who actually operates that program.
Yes. His question was... He wants to know what the program does and who is administering it. Do you know who administers it?
Yes. Her name is Ellen Ruiz, who actually directs the program. And she's not with us today. 267 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04
And it's a rights of passage program where they actually, you know, develop skills toward from childhood to womanhood.
This program has been in existence for just a couple of years.
Okay. Basically, the program is to make young people more culturally aware of their particular heredity. It's an after-school program, and it focuses on children ages 10 to 13.
Great. One last question from me. On you request $17 million in Class 200. How will you use these funds?
If I may answer that 268 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 question, the majority of those funds on behalf of the Philadelphia Empowerment Zone -- And that is subcontracted with primarily non-profit providers, who operate a variety of economic and community development programs.
Thank you very much. Councilman Goode, questions?
Thank you, Madam Chair. My question for Ms. Gladstein. I notice in your testimony you talk about the performance of the lending institutions in the Empowerment Zone which have made $35 million in loans and leveraged $83 million. I'm hoping to just get a little bit more information about the $83 million that was leveraged. One, is that all private dollars that were leveraged? If not, the breakdown of public and private. Also, within the private, a breakdown of how much the private financing was from banks. 269 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 And then a further breakdown, in terms of banks, which of the depository banks participated in those loans. If you could just forward that information through the Chair. The second question, you may have information available about for us now. You say that the lending that has occurred in the zone has maintained and created 1,197 jobs. How many of those jobs were new jobs that were created versus retained?
I can't give you that number today. I can go back and try to get you that breakdown.
Do you have any idea where whether the majority of those jobs were new jobs or whether the majority of them were retained?
There was one large loan which was in the North Philadelphia Health Systems that accounts for quite a large number of jobs, of Empowerment Zone jobs, and those are jobs maintained. My memory is that was in the area of 200 or 270 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 300 of those jobs. And I think the rest, if you take that away, there would probably be about another 800 jobs which are probably fairly evenly split between new jobs and jobs maintained. But again, that's a guesstimate. As you know, this is a number that fluctuates. And we ask our lending institutions to get it every six -- to retrieve this information every six months from their borrowers.
So, do you have any idea how much it costs to create jobs within the Empowerment Zone program, create new jobs?
The rule of thumb that our lending institutions use is that one new job be created for every $35,000 loaned.
I would -- I would say in large part, but not in every 271 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 instance. Business -- You know, the business cycle goes up and down. And some businesses, in fact, that have been very successful for a few years have hit upon harder times in the last year. So, again, it's... Sometimes we see immediate success. Sometimes -- Usually there's a three-year window, during which the businesses ask to create the job. Very often they are successful. But if you look five years out, the numbers might vary.
Once again, through the Chair, could you forward information regarding the dollars leveraged, $83 million, how much is public, how much is private; of the private dollars, how much came from banks; and of the bank dollars, how much came from our City depositories. And then secondly, a breakdown of how many jobs were created that were new jobs versus retained, and what that cost per job is for the $35 million in lending.
Is there anyone here from the Mural Arts Program?
I've been informed that the Mural Arts Program will be available to testify along with the Managing Director's Office.
Sure. Thank you. I want to continue along the line of questioning that my colleague Councilman Goode raised, for clarity purposes. Of the new jobs, were those renewal 273 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 jobs, KOZ jobs, or both?
We have another... We're also tracking Renewal Community job creations, but that's a newer program. We've had two rounds where the City has been able to allocate tax deductions to... I believe it's differences now. 12 And we're able to, you know, just starting 13 to track those job creation numbers in the 14 renewal community. 15 That's a little bit harder to do 16 because we're not actually making direct 17 loans. So, through that one tax incentive 18 we can track those businesses.
I believe that we're asking them for a three- and/or a five-year projection. I will get back to you on that, if you'd like to.
Okay. 274 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 Could you please provide to the Chair a list of businesses and jobs created in the Empowerment Zone since 1994, to get a big picture and look at Empowerment Zone activity? Speak to any linkages or the linkages with the City's Commerce Department and/or PIDC.
Sure. Actually, we have a five-member economic development unit of Empowerment Zone staff members, and they are physically located within the City Commerce Department so that we can coordinate with them on a day-to-day basis and on a programmatic basis. It's a very strong communication and collaboration with the Commerce Department; and, frankly, with PIDC through that mechanism. As an example, we participate in meetings at PIDC regarding land assembly in the Empowerment Zone neighborhoods is another just another example of the ways that we collaborate. 275 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 And from time to time we jointly fund projects with the Commerce Department. In those cases we make sure, again, that we're collaborating so that we're not duplicating funding and that we're being consistent, in terms of the goals of the projects.
I'm curious, then, to know, given the relationship with the Commerce Department and the magnitude and the depth of that relationship, is there any explanation for why you're under MOCS and not the Commerce Department, given what you've just shared?
Well, historically, the Empowerment Zone since 1995 has been the unit within the Mayor's Office of Community Services. And I wasn't here, but I understand the rationale, because MOCS is the City's antipoverty program.
And the overarching goal of the Empowerment Zone is an antipoverty -- is to combat poverty through 276 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 economic and community development. In fact, we collaborate very strongly with a number of City agencies because our goals are so broad. So, we also work with the City's community development entities as well.
Okay. That's certainly acceptable to me. I'm just curious to know what the strategy may have been. Back to the youth programmatic activity at MOCS. The Latino Rights of Passage; is that project funded over the course of the five-year plan? And the reason why I raise that is because it's cited and listed in fiscal 2004, but there's no -- there does not appear to be any subsequent budget activity beyond fiscal 2004. Miss Gladstein, factual information from the operating budget.
Basically the funds... We took away, as a matter of fact, all of the funds that were given to 277 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 us by DHS because of the way that we do -- the transaction. Actually, we have another City department. In most cases we do finish transfers, and we --
Repeat that last statement, and speak clearly into the mike. I missed it.
The reason why we've taken it out in the future years per the operating budget, all of the funds that we transfer between departments or the DHS, we've taken out of the budget for this year because we -- they reimburse us for those costs. So, actually use our grant dollars and transfer those costs back into DHS. So, it's not shown... So, it's more so an internal issue. We don't -- In other words, we don't have an outside -- most -- These funds are more so for those grants that -- for Federal, state and other grants, not for internal, other City departments, so...
-- we were actually 278 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 getting those funds in previous years from DHS. And we thought we would be able to get counseling in that way, but that's not the case. We're not able to... (Alarm clock sounds.)
Now, I didn't follow that completely because I'm not an accountant.
If that continues, yes. And it's an internal function.
Yes, it's an internal function, exactly. It's more so internally.
Okay. I have to reassess my questions? What does that tell me? Maybe I'll be like my colleague, Councilman Nutter, and just filibuster. Just kidding.
The Fatherhood Initiative Program. I followed that my few years here in City Council. What's the status of that program? What's the impact? Is there multi-year funding? What does it hold for the future?
The Fatherhood Initiative Program to date has been funded primarily out of the Community Services Block Grant. There is the intention to move forward with that program. For fiscal year FY '05 we plan to strengthen our relationship with DHS around that program, and that DHS will be supplying more funding for that program. 280 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04
Speaking from my experience as a former program officer years ago, what does that mean that you're going to strengthen your relationship with DHS? I'm curious about impact. How many family -- How many fathers are involved? How many young people will ultimately being impacted by the program?
I'll have to get back to you with specific service provision numbers, but I can say at this time that we are moving forward with the expansion of that program, which means that we plan to add staff to the program and provide even greater services. So, if you will permit, we will get back to you with the exact numbers for this fiscal year to date or for last fiscal year.
I would like to have that. Expanding staff on one side is important and useful. What impact does that have on the service delivery side? 281 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 I'd be curious to know how many young people are being served in various Councilmanic Districts across the City that ties into the mapping that Safe and Sound has done, that speaks to their risk factors are with young people, and how the Father's Initiative ties into that from a logical problematic planning standpoint. So, the impact part of that I need a lot of help with. So, if you'll provide that information to the Chair, that will be very, very much appreciated. Speak to your partnership with the Recreation Department.
Okay. I did want to clarify one point. Our Fatherhood Initiative Program primarily is a program which is geared toward services to non-custodial fathers, not to children directly.
Now, there is an ancillary benefit by moving fathers to stronger relationships with their children. 282 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 So, the numbers that we would be providing primarily would be the numbers regarding the fathers who participate in the program.
Okay. I thank you for that clarity. So, I'd be curious to know how are those fathers identified. Do they come through Family Court? Do they come through DHS? Do they come through the schools? Help me with that information as well.
Okay. Regarding our partnership with the Recreation Department, this has involved a number of services during the years. I believe had the Safe Schools and the Safe Streets -- Safe School, Safer Communities Program has benefited as a result of that relationship. I know Mr. Malik Aziz has done some work with Recreation around addressing the needs, trying to -- of young people, trying to keep them from moving from being dependent children to delinquent children; also trying to keep those children who are 283 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 not in the system at all from becoming delinquent.
Sure. That paragraph for me is an opener. So, again, I would like some details. What schools are involved? When you say it's a Safe School, Safe Communities Initiative, I'd be curious to know what schools do we have existing partnerships would be helpful. And then you speak about older -- five older adult programs. Where are they? What communities are they serving, again, and the impact with the delivery of that service. So, if you could provide that to the Chair.
I don't know if someone -- I don't know if someone from Recreation is here. If they are, we could bring them up to speak about the five other adult centers.
That's referring to five other adult centers that are currently 284 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 under the auspices of the Philadelphia Recreation Department. There is also Community Services does operate one older adult center at this time which is the West Oak Lane Senior Center.
So... And collaborating with the Recreation Department, we will move towards strengthening not only the MOCS program, but the relationship with what Recreation has been doing.
Good afternoon. My name is Lynn Spiro, and I'm the Director of Older Adult Services for Recreation. We operate five senior centers. One is located in the northeast, 7500 Castor Avenue. One is located in South Philadelphia. We operate one in the lower northeast. That's Juniata Park Older Adult Center, and two in North Philadelphia, one at 22nd and Cecil B. Moore, and one at 5th and Allegheny. 285 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 We serve -- A number that we serve are duplicated count.
The impact that we have and the numbers that we serve, we know it as a duplicated count. For example, we serve 126,000 hot lunches during the year. We have approximately 170,000 people that cross through our door during that year and receive service. But again, that's a -- that is a duplicate count. Someone may come three times a week; they may come two times a week.
Okay. So, this relationship suggests that there's been an increase in the number of older adults that you're serving? How new is this relationship?
Between DHS 286 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 and -- and forgive me. Between MOCS and the Rec Department.
This is... This is very new. This piece of it is very new. And so, it being a new relationship, service delivery is reaching more older adults. This relationship will begin, my understanding is, July 1st.
Okay. All right. Do $500,000 of that goes to -- Does that go toward operating costs, salaries, service staff? Help me out. What does that pay for?
That will... That will go to the cost that had come from the General Fund prior, and it would be staff salaries primarily.
Okay. Thank you for your testimony on that. Finally, the final sentence, we are investing $250,000 to address recidivism. Speak to that, what that means. Details is what I'm interested in. 287 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04
Councilwoman Blondell, at this time if someone is here from the Prisons I'd like to call them up. MOCS is actually collaborating with the Prisons. We will be furnishing the funds, although I have no details at this time regarding what they plan to do with those funds.
I am Allen Appel, and I'm the Prisons Deputy Commissioner for Treatment. The Prisons Commissioner would like to have been here, but he had an unavoidable scheduling conflict.
That's not a problem. It's certainly understandable. Would you be more comfortable with me saving these questions for the Prison Commissioner when he comes?
Okay, then. Given the increasing number of women who are being committed to prisons, how and -- how does the Prison Commissioner and his team of professionals address that 288 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 issue?
Well, the grant from MOCS will fund two reentry programs that are specifically for women inmates.
They are going to provide job training, job placement, housing help, case management, family reunification for the women that graduate from the Behind The Walls Jobs Project.
In which they will be learning job training and life skills programming.
Okay. I've raised that issue because I've been in discussions with members of the Black Clergy.
And learned of the horror stories that all prisoners face, but most particularly women who are mothers...
...who are returning to their homes, and the disconnect that exists between when they leave the prison walls and they stay on State Road, with no money in their pocket to get home to their families. And so, that's why I raise those questions around, you know, the challenges facing female prisoners. So, you mentioned job training and job placement?
What connect, if any, exists with the number one agency in the City in the business of that, which is Workforce Development Corporation?
It is not in the grant that we will be getting. But the two agencies that we will be funding, one is the People's Emergency Center.
Both of those get 290 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 funding from PWDC for those women who would meet the requirements while they are in training.
Okay. I want you to hold that thought. We have a point of information from my colleague. And then I have a follow-up question.
Thank you, Madam Chair. What portion of the $250,000 is going to be used specifically for job training and placement?
The whole amount goes for job training, job placement, case management, to help that work.
I understand you roll it together, but I need to know specifically what portion of the money is going toward job training and placement. I believe the source of these 291 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 dollars is General Fund dollars, as announced in the Mayor's budget, unless I'm wrong. And if PWDC has a budget of over a hundred million dollars for job training and placement, why would we be using General Fund dollars for job training and placement?
The money that will be going from MOCS to the Prisons for this purpose are grant funds, and primarily Community Service and Block Grant Funds.
So -- So the money that the Mayor announced in his budget speech is the same $250,000?
I can't speak to the Mayor's address. I'm being informed that it is the same $250,000.
So he was referring to Community Service Block Grant dollars, rather than General Fund dollars? 292 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04
Surely. Surely. Surely. Thank you. Good point of information. Councilwoman Brown. (No response.)
Actually, that's still not a good thing because essentially we stopped using Community Development Block Grant dollars a year or two ago because there was these sources there at PWDC because PWDC was the major coordinator of Workforce Development Resources and Initiatives. Shouldn't all Workforce Development dollars for job training and placement flow through PWDC? And shouldn't we be using those dollars, rather than using Community Development Block Grant dollars or Community Service Block Grant dollars and 293 Bill 040255 - 4/13/04 surely not General Fund dollars?