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CBIRS Request 1833
 
Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1833
The Starting Place
 
Requester: Mr. Ali El-Haj Organization: The Starting Place
 
Project Title: The Starting Place Date Submitted 1/4/2008 1:01:14 PM
 
Sponsors: Geller
 
Statewide Interest:
It has both regional and statewide interest as indicated by Governor Bush during his address to the Legislature in March, 2000 reflecting the need to increase programs and services for adolescents and young adults with drug and alcohol abuse related issues. Our project has tangible community support and fits within the parameters of 216.052(1).
 
Recipient: The Starting Place   Contact: Mr. Ali El-Haj  
  351 N. State Road 7, Suite 200   Contact Phone: (954) 327-4061  
  Plantation, Florida 33317   Contact email: ali@startingplace.org
 
Counties: Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach
 
Gov't Entity:   Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): Yes
 
Project Description:
The funding will support substance abuse issues for at-risk youth (ages 12-17) throughout the Tri-County area (Broward, Dade and Palm Beach), providing additional and much needed programs and services for the expansion of all our therapeutic programs. With the increase in population throughout South Florida, it is imperative that The Starting Place expand our overall program(s) to accommodate the increasing number of adolescents who will need our services.
 
Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? No
 
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
The Starting Place is proud of its excellent success rate. Seven out of ten clients (ages 12-17) or 70%, remain drug-free after one year of graduating from our facility. Tracking and staying involved with the client after they graduate from our program enables us to monitor their success and follow their progress. We chart each client up to 12 months after they graduate our program. Should we notice the client�s drug or alcohol problems may have resurfaced, we will recommend additional treatment for the client.
 
Amount requested from the State for this project this year: $600,000
 
Total cost of the project: $900,000
 
Request has been made to fund: Construction
 
What type of match exists for this project? Local, Private
  Cash Amount $450,000  
 
Was this project previously funded by the state?   Yes
  Fiscal Year: 2007-2008 Amount: $450,000
 
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?   Yes
  Amount: $450,000 To Fund: Operations, Construction
 
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?   Yes
  Agency Children And Family Services, Department Of
 
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? Yes
 
Is there a documented need for this project? Yes
  Documentation: State SISR and client surveys
 
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?   Yes
  Hearing Body: Florida State Legislature; Broward Legislative Delegation�s Health & Human Services Public Hearing
 
Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida?   No