United Way Of Suwannee Valley Inc

FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL GRANTSUnited Way of Suwannee Valley continues to be designated as the lead agency for the homeless coalition, the Homeless Services Network of Suwannee Valley, which functions as a committee of the local United Way. In this capacity United Way receives the State of Florida coalition staffing grant which supports the expenses associated with serving as staff to the homeless coalition to fulfill the federal and statutory requirements. As a result of this role, United Way of Suwannee Valley is the collaborative applicant for the HUD (Homeless) Continuum of Care application and grant funds through the State of Florida office on Homelessness.During the 2021-2022 fiscal year the Florida Department of Children and Families consolidated into one three-year Unified Funding Contract several grants for which United Way applies on behalf of the homeless coalition. This contract includes the homeless coalition staffing grant, Emergency Solutions Grant, Challenge Grant, and Homeless Prevention Grant.The Emergency Solutions Grant is federal funds received through the balance-of-state competition through the State of Florida Department of Children and Families Office on Homelessness. The grant funds provide for homeless prevention and rapid re-housing of homeless households as well as provide for shelter operations. FY 2021-2022 funding was based on United Way's prior year application on behalf of the homeless coalition and included homeless prevention and rapid rehousing provided by Catholic Charities and United Way and emergency shelter provided by Another Way and Vivid Visions domestic violence centers.Likewise, State of Florida Challenge Grant funding consolidated into the Unified Funding Contract resulted from United Way of Suwannee Valley's prior year application. Projects funded through the Challenge Grant included Another Way and Vivid Visions to support shelter services provided to domestic violence survivors, United Way to assist homeless and at-risk of homelessness households and to support the provision of the HUD-required Homeless Management Information System, and Volunteers of America of Florida to support the agency's permanent supportive housing program. As the coalition lead agency, United Way of Suwannee Valley was eligible to compete for Homeless Prevention Grant funds through the State of Florida Office on Homelessness. The local United Way was awarded this TANF-funded grant which also was consolidated into the Unified Funding Contract. This grant provides homeless prevention assistance to income-eligible families with minor children. In its role as the designated lead agency for the local homeless coalition, United Way is responsible for meeting the numerous HUD requirements leading to the submission of the annual HUD Continuum of Care Program application on behalf of the coalition. This application includes projects funded for Volunteers of America of Florida to provide permanent supportive housing for 11 chronically homeless individuals including veterans and United Way for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). During 2021-2022, HUD grants awarded to United Way of Suwannee Valley were implemented to provide rapid rehousing of literally homeless households and coordinated entry, as prescribed by HUD, to ensure assistance is provided to those who are the most vulnerable.United Way also serves as the lead agency for the Homeless Management Information System, utilizing funds awarded through the HUD Continuum of Care Program competition. The agencies which are members of the Homeless Service Network of Suwannee Valley participate in the HMIS. The HMIS contains unduplicated homeless clients.United Way of Suwannee Valley, under contract with LSF Health Systems, conducts a Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program. PATH provides for homeless outreach to identify homeless individuals to refer them appropriately and for engagement and case management for those homeless individuals with mental health issues toward a goal of transitioning these homeless to housing and services.United Way of Suwannee Valley is part of United Ways of Northeast Florida 2-1-1, which makes available information and referral assistance 24/7. United Way also participates in the FamilyWize prescription discount card program in an effort to assist community members save on prescriptions.

READINGPALSReadingPals is an early literacy initiative focused on screening, training, and engaging volunteer "reading coaches" to increase the number of students reading at grade level by the end of third grade. United Way of Suwannee Valley's ReadingPals initiative focuses on kindergarten students who begin their academic career with a literacy deficit. The program provides for a coordinator, classroom materials to support the ReadingPals volunteers in their tutoring efforts, and take-home books for the participating students. ReadingPals volunteers meet one hour a week in a local school setting to assist the students with the necessary skills to become proficient readers.