The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is seeking a non-profit entity or entities to administer the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) in Highlands and/or Polk County Florida. Pursuant to a notice in the December 1, 2006, Florida ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Division of Housing and Community Development

The Department of Community Affairs, HCD announces a hearing to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: March 7, 2007, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon

PLACE: Cooperative Extension Offices, Valencia Room, 1702 Highway 17, South, Bartow, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is seeking a non-profit entity or entities to administer the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) in Highlands and/or Polk County Florida.

Pursuant to a notice in the December 1, 2006, F.A.W. regarding agencies interested in becoming the CSBG provider for Highlands and Polk County, six letters of interest were received. The purpose of this hearing is to afford these agencies an opportunity to present to all interested parties in the community their qualifications and proposal for providing services if selected. The six agencies are: Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Manatee Opportunity Council, Inc., Luster All Pastoral Care and Cultural Center, Inc., The Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc., Mid Florida Community Services, Inc., and Polk County Workforce Development Board, Inc.

In order to be designated to serve as the eligible entity, an entity must agree to add additional members to its board to ensure adequate representation in compliance with 42 U.S.C. 9909 and 9910 and Rule 9B-22.011, Florida Administrative Code. Special consideration shall be given to an organization with demonstrated effectiveness in providing a broad range of services designed to eliminate poverty and foster self-sufficiency. Priority shall be given to existing CSBG eligible entities in good standing with DCA that are providing related services in the specified county or in areas contiguous to or within reasonable proximity to the specified county.

Selection will be based on the entity’s experience and performance in related federal or state programs in assisting low-income persons in the area to be served, and the entity’s capacity to undertake a timely and effective program. The following qualities will be reviewed: (1) the extent to which the past or current program achieved or is achieving goals in a timely fashion; (2) the quality of work performed by the entity; (3) the number, qualifications, and experience of the staff members of the entity; and (4) the ability to maintain compliance with administrative and financial management requirements.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN: After this hearing, DCA will review the applications received and make a decision regarding each entity’s eligibility to provide program services in Highlands and/or Polk County. A recommendation for the selected entity will then be prepared by DCA staff for subsequent consideration and approval or disapproval by DCA’s Secretary and the Governor.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Requests for additional information or questions may be addressed to: Ms. Hilda Frazier, Planning Manager, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Community Assistance Section, Sadowski Building, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, [phone], or Fax [phone] or e-mail at [e-mail].

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting Rachel White at [phone].

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least days before the workshop/meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting or hearing, he/she will need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence from which the appeal is to be issued.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Any person requiring a special accommodation at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the Department of Community Affairs, [phone], at least five (5) calendar days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Department of Community Affairs using the Florida Dual Party Relay System which can be reached at 1(800)955-8770 (Voice) and 1(800)955-8771 (TDD).

For more information, you may contact Hilda Frazier at [phone].