Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1074FY0102

Families In Touch

Requester:

Daniella Levine

Organization:

Human Services Coalition

Project Title:

Families In Touch

Date Submitted:

1/17/2002 10:40:29 AM

Sponsors:

Daryl Jones

Statewide Interest:

Families in Touch (FIT) is a national demonstration project that requires and rewards work while assisting families in transition.� Having assisted tens of thousands to move from welfare to work, Florida's focus now is to keep new workers employed and help them advance in better jobs, the cornerstone of Workforce Florida.� Preliminary results from FIT, one of 8 demonstration projects funded and studied with support from the Ford Foundation, demonstrate the success at helping workers stay employed and increase earnings.� A one time appropriation will support the replication needs of this program so that it can successfully be implemented in more Florida communities.

Recipient:

Human Services Coalition

Contact:

Daniella Levine

260 NE 17 Terrace, Suite 200

Contact Phone:

(305) 576-5001 19

Miami 33132

Counties:

Dade

Gov't Entity:

Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):

Yes

Project Description:

FIT is an intensive, community-based yearlong peer-support and mentoring program focusing on job retention and advancement for working women.� Developed by the Human Services Coalition (HSC), the project helps former welfare recipients achieve success in the workplace by offering skills training, peer support and mentoring in groups where participants interact with other low-income workers facing similar challenges.� The bonding of participants through an intensive 52 week program propels participants to accomplish positive change and action in their lives.

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

Job retention goals over 80% and wage increases for over 50%

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$584,000

Total cost of the project:

$600,000

Request has been made to fund:

Operations

What type of match exists for this project?

Private

Cash Amount:

$10,000

In-Kind Amount:

$6,000

Was this project previously funded by the State?

Yes

Fiscal Year:

1999-2000

Amount:

$175,000

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

No

Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?

No

Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?

No

Is there a documented need for this project?

Yes

Documentation:

Dept. of Labor figures demonstrate high turnover, low retention and low wages.

Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?

Yes

Hearing Body:

Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation

Meeting Date:

10/5/2001