TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Homeless Programs Get $42,897 State Funding

ADVERTISEMENT

Special to Highlands Today

Published: June 23, 2008

SEBRING — The Florida Department of Children and Families has released $42,897 in funding to programs operating in both Highlands and Hardee counties, the agency announced Friday.

The announcement was made in a memo from Circuit 10 Contract Manager, Jacqueline Burt.

Richard Reinhardt, executive director for the Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. said typically, they're given about half that amount.

"This grant is received annually, but this is the most ever awarded to these two counties," he said.

Funding for the state's Department of Children and Families Grant-In-Aid program is statewide, but is left up to each DCF Circuit to administer these funds. Circuit 10 covers Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.

Each year local agencies apply to the Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless, to receive this funding and through a scoring process; recommendations are then forwarded to Circuit 10 for review. The agencies that received funds are:

* Heartland Rural Health Network, Inc - $23,726

Based in Avon Park, the Heartland Rural Health Network will utilize these funds to help support the ongoing efforts made by the network, to help the homeless and at-risk populations in Highlands and Hardee counties to access health care services through a voucher program done in cooperation with local providers.

Services that eligible individuals can access with an issued voucher include primary care, dental services, ob/gyn services, mammography screenings, prescriptions and mental health services including substance abuse.

"We are thrilled to have such committed and dedicated local providers willing to accept our health care vouchers so that the homeless and at-risk populations in our rural communities are able to address their health concerns," said Kelly J. Johnson, the network's health planning director.

* Hardee Help Center, Inc. - $9,768

Since the Hardee Help Center first opened its doors in June, 2000, it has helped more than 1,400 families with about $201,337 in emergency economic relief and more than 700 families with about $150,000 in disaster relief. These additional funds will be used to continue that effort for the residents of Hardee County.

* Alpha & Omega Freedom Ministries, Inc. - $5,114

In January, Alpha & Omega Freedom Ministries, Inc. opened Hannah's House, a transitional shelter for victims of domestic abuse and their families. Funding from this year's Grant-In-Aid will assist in meeting some of the daily operating expenses associated with shelter operations.

* Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. - $4,289

Since 2004, Highlands County Coalition for the Homeless has assisted local homeless service provider organizations in gaining access to various forms of funding. The Coalition is now operating the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Highlands and Hardee counties and is contracted to administer the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG).

The coalition assists in the development of a community education program, a transitional housing facility and a transportation program for individuals with extremely low income. The coalition for the homeless will utilize these funds for administrative support in managing the grant.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT