CHOICES Cooperative Extension

Senior Services Crisis Center

Partners for a Productive Community

Poverty Reduction Program

Social Services Veteran Services

Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center

CHOICES Cooperative Extension

Senior Services Crisis Center

Partners for a Productive Community

Annual R

eportYour link to a quality life in Alachua County

2008

Department of Community Support Services

947

357

147

1277

806

11

10,000

40,220

75,871

52,154

92,021

13,11821,652

Units of Service - One contact between a worker and client

A Renewed Commitment to Excellence

I am very pleased to present the first annual report of the Alachua County Department of Community Support Services (DCSS). It is our desire to increase your awareness and understanding of the department and the services we provide. A summary of our accomplishments, adopted budget and the services we provided over the past year are included in this publication.

The department has been fortunate to experience the continued support and trust of the Alachua County Board of Commissioners and the County Manager. County Manager Randall H. Reid charged us with the mission of implementing a transformational strategy that empowered the employees within our department and the citizens we serve. Consequently, we evaluated our performance and re-established the importance of keeping our mission before us in our daily endeavors to meet the mark of excellence.

In 2008, our mission, vision and values were put to the test by the downturn in the economy. Service demands increased and the profile of the typical service recipient began to change. Individuals that had never used social services before found themselves coming to us for assistance. We were reminded that no one was immune to job loss, family tragedy, stress, victimization or the lack of health care services. We have consistently worked to meet these challenges to ensure that each person walking through our doors is treated with dignity and respect. I invite you to carefully read our annual report and learn of our unique and diverse services. You will realize that your tax dollars are not only being spent wisely but are being used to invest in a quality of life that will contribute to self-sufficiency for individuals and families. I would like to express my gratitude to all departmental staff for their unwavering commitment to serve the public in a caring, compassionate and competent manner.

Elmira K. Warren, Director, Department of Community Support Services

A message from the Director

Adopted Operating 2008 Budget -$21,294,038Gas Tax190,100

Grants1,194,970 Other (Donations)

20,000

Ad Valorem Tax10,069,799

Indigent Healthcare Surtax9,819,169

Number of Volunteer HoursNumber of Volunteers

Community Agency Partnership Program

CHOICES

Cooperative Extension

Crisis Center

Social Services

Veteran Services

Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center

Administration

CHOICES

Cooperative Extension

Crisis Center

Partners for a Productive Community

Poverty Reduction Program

Senior Services

Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center

Administration

CHOICES

Cooperative Extension

Crisis Center

Partners for a Productive Community

Poverty Reduction Program

Senior Services

Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center

4,2481,414

959 18,000

39,250 688

345

222,987

Cooperative Extension

Providing Solutions for Your Life

The Alachua County Cooperative Extension is a partnership between the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, University of Florida IFAS, and the United States Department of Agriculture. These groups share in the financing and operation of Extension programs. Alachua County Board of County Commissioners provides support for local faculty staff and facilities. Alachua County Extension conducts research-based educational programs in 4-H youth development, production agriculture, environmental horticulture, natural resources, and family and consumer sciences. Local advisory committees are the stakeholders within the Extension programming which are designed to meet community needs. Cooperative Extension programs emphasize volunteer training, allowing our service to reach more of the Countys population.

Cooperative Extension Accomplishments

Master Gardener Volunteers contributed 6,000 hours of service to educate the public.

4-H Volunteers contributed 9,500 hours of service to promote 4-H & youth development in Alachua County.

By participating in 4-H programs and activities, 4,000 youth enhanced life skills in decision making, leadership, communication, healthy lifestyles, and agricultural production.

74 citizens participated in Bankruptcy classes. 100% stated they agreed or strongly agreed that the course topics were relevant to my life and that the course learning materials were helpful.

The Alachua County 4-H County Council prepared 10 food baskets including $150 Publix gift cards for the holidays to needy families in Linton Oaks. The 4-H County Council worked with Partners for a Productive Community to distribute the food to needy families for the holidays.

Over 100 youth participated in 4-H summer day camps with topics such as City Slickers Ag Tour, Jr. Master Gardener Camp, Sewing Camps, Art Camps, Fishing Camps, and Cooking Camps.

Over 400 youth participated in the 2008 Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show. Project areas range from livestock to non-livestock and include Public Speaking, Citizenship, and Career Development.

Bringing People Together through partnerships that encourage service

Lake Forest Home & Community Educators Club president brings comfort to hospice patients

When Beverley Wilber of High Springs shows up at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville, carrying a bag containing 20 neck pillows, she is always greeted with open arms. Over the last several months, Ms. Wilber has sewn 175 neck pillows, 44 small pillows with coordinating pillow cases, 65 bibs and crocheted 44 pairs of bed socks for Haven Hospice. She does all of this to make patients as comfortable as possible.

Beverley spends much of her time sewing and crocheting for others, a project she took on after retiring from the Broward County Sheriffs Office in Ft. Lauderdale and from Prison Health Services in Brentwood, Tennessee. Her goal in retirement was to volunteer to help those less fortunate than most. Currently, she volunteers for Cooperative Extension, as a part of the Family, Youth & Consumer Science Program with Dr. Brenda Williams. As president of Lake Forest Home and Community Educators Club (HCE), she spent 1677 hours volunteering this past year.

3

PartnershipsSENIOR SERVICES:Retired and Senior Volunteer ProgramFoster Grandparent Program

Cultivating a Culture of Compassionby providing more avenues for meaningful community

Senior Services volunteers help Alachua County students achieve

their academic potential

What our partners and volunteers are saying...

I cant say enough about our [Foster] Grandma. She is such a blessing to me and my class. I think I draw comfort from talking to her as much as the children. She is the heart and soul of our classroom; the soft place to fall for all of us. God bless you for bringing her to us.

- Teacher, Alachua County Schools

Our RSVP volunteer is a gift. Volunteers bring a fresh outlook to our workplace. We benefit from their experience and perspective.

- RSVP Station

Volunteering is a very rewarding experience. It makes you feel needed, appreciated, and also lifts your self-esteem. In helping others, you help yourself in many ways, for it always comes back to you in ways you can never imagine.

- RSVP Volunteer

4

For futher information visit: www.alachuacountyactiveseniors.net

During the past year, 123 Foster Grandparents provided 98,341 volunteer hours in local schools, child care centers, and after school programs. As a result, the Foster Grandparent Program semi-annual progress report revealed the following:

86% of children served by Foster Grandparents in elementary schools improved their behavior

87% improved reading skills

91% improved their math skills

100% of children served by Foster Grandparents improved in at least two areas of development.

100% of children and youth served by Foster Grandparent volunteers in after school programs demonstrated improvement in social skill levels.

100% showed improvement in academic achievement and an increase in physical activity.

Senior Services volunteers service is a valuable contribution

to the community

4 new homes were built by Habitat for Humanity.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers assisted nine volunteer stations with raising approximately $145,360 in contributions.

683 RSVP volunteers served 124,646 hours in local agencies, hospitals, cultural organizations, and schools.

42 RSVP volunteers provided assistance to approximately 5,028 individuals in a variety of assignments at the Ronald McDonald House, Haven Hospice, The American Cancer Society and the Winn Dixie Hope Lodge.

272 volunteers served in agencies providing support for seniors such as assisted living, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and senior community housing.

Senior Services and its community partners provide a place for Alachua

County senior citizens

Alachua County Board of County Commissioners and Senior Services in partnership with the Community Coalition for Older Adults, City of Gainesville, Elder Care, and other members of the community, successfully moved the Senior Center initiative forward.Approximately $3 million from Wild Spaces/Public Places sales tax in addition to a grant awarded by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs will be used for a new Senior Center at Northside Park.

1997

1500573239

1798

220

PartnershipsCommunity Agency Partnership ProgramPartners for a Productive CommunityPoverty Reduction Program

Forming and Maintaining Productive Partnerships

The Poverty Reduction Program addresses critical issues: hunger and homlessness

The Alachua County-City of Gainesville Hunger Summit was held on September 18, 2008, with cosponsors Alachua County Medical Society, The School Board of Alachua County, Department of Children and Families, and the United Way of North Central Florida. Together they worked to develop a Hunger Abatement Plan to address the hunger issues that our citizens face. As a result, six committees were created to focus on the development of a Hunger Abatement Plan, which will be later presented at Hunger Summit II, in April 2009.

During the Homeless Night Out event on November 7, 2007, PRP worked in collaboration with the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry and other agencies and distributed 600 meals and over 300 blankets and clothing to citizens.

The Homeless Veteran Stand-Down, held on November 16, 2007 provided the following services to homeless veterans: medical and dental screening, VA Enrollment and VA Claims Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and Social Service information, VA Homeless Program, Veterans Organizations and volunteers, job information, food and clothing.

Partners for a Productive Community unites with local agencies

Partners for a Productive Community (PPC), in partnership with organizations such as Girl Scouts, 4-H Youth Development, Terwilliger Elementary, and the Alachua County Library District, has facilitated ongoing activities in the at-risk communities of Holly Heights/Gordon Manor and Linton Oaks. These activities range from education to recreation and aim to reduce the incidence of juvenile delinquency.

To further reduce the impact of poverty, two additional partnerships with the Rock of Gainesville and UF Campus Kitchens were established to provide mobile food distributions and medical services to families.

During the fiscal year, a total $44,694 worth of in-kind services and contributions have been reinvested in the community to assist citizens in need.

PPC is expanding its program in East Gainesville which includes Pine Meadows/Lake Road, Greentree Village and Hammock Oaks.

Community Agency Partnership Program

In an effort to more efficiently address all public needs, Community Agency Partnership Program (CAPP) partners with non-profit agencies that share the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) commitment to addressing poverty reduction within Alachua County. Since its inception, CAPP has provided funding to organizations that focus on poverty reduction related to:

Healthcare Elderly & Impaired Services Homeless HousingShelters/Transitional Food & Legal Assistance for Homeless & Low-Income Children & Families Employment/Job Training Related

For 2007-08, CAPP partnered with 21 non-profit agencies to provide 30 poverty reduction programs, contributing a total of $890,756. With these funds, over 10,000 needy and low-income Alachua County residents were served. Among the 10,000 served, 4,000 meals were provided to homeless and low income citizens. The following chart indicates the numbers of citizens served:

5

Persons Served

Healthcare

Elderly & Impaired Services

Homeless Housing-Shelters/Transitional

Legal Assistance for Homeless & Low Income

Children & Families

Employment/Job Training Related

Health Services CHOICES Health ServicesSocial ServicesVictim Services and Rape Crisis Center

Supporting Community Health

The Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center also provided free medical exams for victims of sexual assault who do not report the crime to law enforcement.Exams include STD testing and prevention

The Department of Community Support Services contributes to other organizations

Contributed $1,009,875 to the Alachua County Health Department for a variety of medical services for citizens

Contributed more than $1.9 million to the State of Florida as part of the Medicaid Match Program. As mandated by Florida law, the County pays 35% of the cost of hospitalization for Alachua County Medicaid patients with hospital stays more than three weeks long. The County also pays $55 per month for each County nursing home resident. This is mandated by Florida Statutes.

Contributed $883,956 to Meridian Behavioral Health Care, Inc. to assist citizens in need of mental health, alcohol and drug abuse services

Contributed $758,800 for Medical Examiner services for performance of autopsies. This is mandated by Florida Statutes.

Demonstration of fiscal integrity

DCSS deleted over $1.4 million from our monthly billings as a result of errors made by the State Medicaid Office between 10/07 and 06/08.

6

CHOICES Health Services helps county residents care for their most important asset: their health

During the past year, CHOICES Health Services provided affordable healthcare to nearly 2,000 citizens and filled 13,764 prescriptions valued at $669,144.

Continuing the efforts to reduce the impact and incidence of chronic illnesses within Alachua County, CHOICES implemented two new programs: Disease Management and Health Education & Wellness.

For more info on CHOICES visit: www.acCHOICES.com

In the interest of further meeting the health care needs of our citizens, CHOICES provides financial support to the University of Florida Equal Access Clinic and Helping Hands.

Social Services helps families and individuals receive the care they need

Filled over 6,000 prescriptions at a value of $288,231

Provided primary and specialty care for 400 unemployed or underemployed citizens

Provided 151 residents with vision care services in partnership with the Lions Club of Alachua County

Distributed the Alachua County/NACO Prescription Drug Discount Card to citizens saving a total of $421,591

Kept more than 2,600 citizens from eviction and/or loss of utility service

Victims of violent crime receive needed medical help from the Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center

Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center provided many citizens with free, confidential HIV/AIDS testing

Human Services Crisis CenterVeteran ServicesVictim Services and Rape Crisis Center

Serving our citizens with compassion and respect

Helping those in crisis

This past year, the Alachua County Crisis Center received nearly 50,000 calls.

Provided over 2,000 face-to-face crisis interventions

Contributed nearly 40,000 hours of service throughout the community

Provided educational services to over 4,000 mental health, medical and law enforcement professionals and community members through 117 presentations, workshops and trainings

Assisting victims of violent crimes

Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center (VSRCC) provided phone counseling and information to 21,887 citizens on its 24- hour hotline. Provided 1,329 criminal justice support services to victims, such as accompanying a victim or family member to court

Provided 323 personal advocacy services to victims of crime, such as calling an employer on behalf of the victim

Provided 125 community education and risk reduction presentations

Received certification from the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence as a Certified Rape Crisis Center

VSRCC launched a MySpace website which offers online counseling through confidential Instant Messaging and resources for reporting crimes and receiving medical assistance, such as STD screening and treatment.

To visit VSRCCs MySpace site visit:

www.myspace.com/victimrapecrisiscenter

Alachua County supports and honors the service of Veterans

During fiscal year 2008, Veteran Services provided counseling and needs assessment to 1,522 veterans and/or dependents through face-to-face interviews.

Visited 196 veterans/dependents in hospitals, nursing homes, Adult Care Living Facility (ACLF) and in private residences

Helped returning Combat Veterans apply for 2-year interest- free loan on property taxes. This program was provided by Alachua County Board of County Commissioners.

Veteran Service Office helped raise $16,000 for the veteran community through its participation in Bikers on Parade for the USA.

Veteran Services played an integral role in raising $100,000 for the Bridge Scholarship program. This fund provides interim financial assistance to veterans enrolled at Santa Fe College and the University of Florida pending receipt of Veterans Benefits.

Crisis Center Intervention Saves Lives

Recently, a retired gentleman called the Crisis Centers 24-hour hotline. He told the counselor that he wanted to commit suicide because he was mourning the death of a child, facing significant health issues, and going through a difficult divorce. The Crisis Centers Care Team visited him in his home and counseled him through his despair. He agreed with the advice of the Care Team, allowing them to transport him to a facility where he could be stabilized. He called several days later to thank the Crisis Center for saving his life.

7

218 SE 24th StreetGainesville, Florida 32641-7516

Tel: (352) 264-6700TDD: (352) 955-2449Fax: (352) 264-6703

cso@alachuacounty.uswww.alachuacounty.us/css

Cooperative Extension2800 NE 39th AvenueGainesville, FL 32609-2658 Tel (352) 955-2402TDD (352) 955-2406 Fax (352) 334-0122 http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/

Department of Community Support Services