Community Development Block Grant

(CDBG)

The City of Bonita Springs utilized

Federal CDBG funds through the

Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD) to rehabilitate the

restrooms at a Community Park located

in a low/moderate income area to

address accessibility issues for elderly

and disabled persons.

Home Investment Partnership Program

(HOME)

Lee County Housing Development

Corporation, a certified Community

Housing Development Organization

(CHDO), utilized Federal HOME funds

through the Department of Housing and

Urban Development (HUD) to

construct a 4 bedroom rental home in

the Charleston Park neighborhood that

will be rented to an eligible low income

household

A Publication of the Lee County Department of Human Services

Mission: To promote and provide for Lee County’s diverse human service needs through progressive leadership and community partnerships

Human Services Human Services

NewsNews Helpful Links

United Way 211

(http://www.UNITEDWAYlee.org/)

Neighborhood Stabilization

http://nsp.leegov.com/

Lee County Homeless Coalition

(http://www.leehomeless.org/)

Senior Choices of SW Fla

http://www.aaaswfl.org/

FEMA - Assistance Process

(http://www.fema.gov/

assistance/process/index.shtm)

My Florida HUD

(http://www.hud.gov/local/

index.cfm?state=fl)

Human Services Annual Report

Lee Mental Health Center, Inc.

Services through Ruth Cooper

Center for Behavioral Health and

VISTA Behavioral Crisis Services.

(Now SalusCare)

www.saluscareflorida.org

January, 2015

Volume 2, Issue 4

Visit Us On The Web http://dhs.leegov.com/

Pages/default.aspx

Inside This Issue:

L.E.E. Success Story 2

Housing Rehab 2

HSIN 2

Free Tax Filing 3

Veteran’s Services 3

Health Care 4

Employee of the Quarter 4

Volunteers Needed

The Lee County Community Action/

Neighborhood District Committee Advi-

sory Board is an advisory body to the Lee

County Board of County Commissioners

(BoCC). They participate in planning,

program performance evaluation and guid-

ance on programs impacting the lives of

low-income and at-risk residents of Lee

County. While final authority rests with

the BoCC, the CAA/NDC provides valu-

able input on the Community Services

Block Grant Action Plan, the HUD Con-

solidated Plan and Neighborhood District

funding.

Membership of the committee is composed

of 15 members representing public offi-

cials, private sector, and representatives of

low-income persons in Lee County’s des-

ignated targeted service areas. Low-

income representatives are elected by their

neighborhood associations in Charleston

Park, Pine Manor, Page Park, Palmona,

and Suncoast. The remaining 10 are ap-

pointed by Lee County Commissioners.

There are currently at large vacancies on

the CAA/NDC. Questions regarding appli-

cations or the Board should be directed to

Kim Hustad at 533-7916 or e-mail khus-

tad@leegov.com. Kim forwards com-

pleted applications to the appropriate

County Commissioner for consideration

and appointment.

Regular meetings of the CAA/NDC are

generally held quarterly during evening

hours. Meetings typically last 1.5 hours

and the public is invited to attend. The

Committee may meet more often if the

need arises. Standard Roberts Rules of

Order govern the proceedings of all meet-

ings.

Page 2

When Latoya (center) enrolled in the L.E.E. Program she was a single mother of a four

year old boy, working an exhausting split shift and struggling to pay bills. She some-

times felt alone in her drive toward success because her resources and confidence were

limited. However, she stayed motivated as she worked through the enrollment process

and began her job training. She showed her instructors and Coordinator that she had

the drive to accomplish her goals and the communication skills to overcome barriers.

Her Career Development Instructor noted that although Latoya may appear shy at first,

she is very impressive in the classroom and she knew those skills would transfer quite

well into the workplace. As her classroom training drew to an end Latoya took advan-

tage of a full-time Internship at Physicians Primary Care. Her hard work at her intern-

ship was impressive and paid off when she was hired by her Internship supervisor for a

full-time permanent paid position as a Business Services/Appointment Scheduler. As

she began her new front office career at PPC, Latoya more than doubled her income

and also receives full employee benefits. She has worked with PPC since July, 2014

and continues to impress her supervisor and receive excellent reviews.

Lee Education & Employment Program

Human Services is now accepting applications for rehabilitation assistance.

Lee County Department of Human Services is accepting applications from income-qualified residents for a programs

that help with rehabilitation of their homes.

The Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program helps recipients make necessary repairs to their homes. Some eligible

repairs may include roof, septic, well, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, windows and doors.

People who qualify for assistance must have owned and occupied their home for at least one year; meet HUD’s in-

come guidelines; and, meet other requirements. The HUD guidelines, for example, state that a family of four must not

have an income in excess of $46,400. The range varies from a single-person household income not in excess of

$32,500 to an eight-person household income not in excess of $61,250.

Assistance varies by program and availability of funds.

For more information contact Lee County Department of Human Services at (239) 533-7900 or visit: http://

dhs.leegov.com/programs/housingservices/Pages/HousingServices.aspx.

Human Services Information Network

The mission of the Lee County Human Services Information Network (HSIN) is "to provide a forum for information exchange and

coordination among providers and the community to enhance the availability and delivery of human services". Formed in Novem-

ber, 2003, in a partnership between the Lee County Department of Human Services, United Way 211, and the Southwest Florida

Community Foundation, HSIN held its inaugural meeting in January, 2004. HSIN has continued to meet bi-monthly on the first

Thursday of every other month. The meeting on January 8, 2015 was the beginning of our 11th year of networking with local

agencies. We would like to thank all our meeting hosts and partners who have made this endeavor such a success.

You may also wish to visit our main HSIN partners, The United Way of Lee County , the Southwest Florida Community Founda-

tion and the Cape Coral Community Foundation.

Page 3 Volume 2, Issue 4

FREE Tax Preparation

Was your household income less than $57,000 last

year? Have your federal tax return prepared, e-

filed and direct deposited for FREE. IRS-certified

volunteers will prepare your taxes and ensure you

get the largest refund for which you qualify. You

may also be eligible for the Earned Income Tax

Credit (EITC) when you file.

If you got health insurance through the Health In-

surance Marketplace, you may be eligible for the

premium tax credit. Getting a refund will not af-

fect government benefits such as Medicaid, Social

Security, Kidcare, TANF or food stamps.

To make an appointment at the free filing site

nearest you visit www.UnitedWayLee.org. Hover

over Get Help/211 and click on Free Tax Prepara-

tion.

This program is sponsored by the United Way

through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Pro-

gram (VITA). For questions, call United Way 211

or 433-3900.

Veteran’s Services

The County is very saddened that John Ebling, Director of

Veteran’s Services and an employee of the County for over

twenty years, passed away on December 30 , 2014.

John retired from the US Army after 21 years, moved to Fort

Myers and secured a job with Lee County. He also had been

deputized with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department since

1995. He was very active as a volunteer fire fighter and was

heavily involved in several veterans organizations including

the American Legion.

Rich Beck, currently Facilities Director for Lee County and a

Navy Veteran who is active in the veteran community of Lee

County, will assume the role of Director of Veteran’s Ser-

vices.

Partnering For Results

2014-2015 Funding Process

The funding process for allocation of County gen-

eral revenue funds for fiscal year 2014/2015 began

in May with the issuance of a Request for Proposal.

Nonprofit agencies that provide human service

needs which fall within one of the following three

priority outcome areas: Activities for Children and

Youth, Supportive Living, and Emergency Assis-

tance were eligible to apply for funding.

A review panel comprised of community volunteers

evaluated the proposals and submitted a funding rec-

ommendation to the Board of County Commissions.

A total of 36 proposals from 25 agencies were re-

viewed by the Review Panel and 35 (24 agencies)

were funded.

We want to extend our sincerest appreciation to the

review panel members for the time and energy that

was devoted to this process. We recognize that the

practice is time consuming and frustrating since

some very tough decisions have to be made. We

applaud the commitment and efforts of these dedi-

cated volunteers.

We also want to thank all the nonprofit agencies

who continue to provide valuable services to the

vulnerable and needy citizens in our community.

Their dedication and perseverance is commendable

and greatly appreciated.

L.E.E. Program Graduation The Lee Education and Employment Program recently gradu-

ated its 29th class. All graduates earned an A average and two

started jobs in the medical office field immediately after gradua-

tion. Barbara Goins, Coordinator (far right) praised their skills

and team spirit.

Lee County Department of Human Services 2440 Thompson Street Fort Myers, Florida 33901 Telephone: (239) 533-7900 Fax: (239) 533-7960

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Place Mailing Label Here

Human Services NewsHuman Services News

Health Insurance Marketplace

Open Enrollment

November 15, 2014—February 15, 2015

Several Ways to Get Marketplace Coverage

Call the Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596, TTY Us-

ers at 1-855-889-4325

Apply online at www.healthcare.gov

In-person Help: localhelp.healthcare.gov

Employee of the Quarter

Kim Hustad, Program Manager for Family Self-Sufficiency, was

honored by her fellow employees as Employee of the Quarter

for her community collaboration efforts.

Congratulations, Kim!