by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Two City departments will be the recipients of an $18,000 state grant, money that will come in handy during times of need and crisis. Both the City’s Disabled Services Division and the Office of Volunteer Services will get the funding.
The Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service awarded the grants earlier this month. Cities across the state were eligible for any one of 16 grants created when the Corporation for National and Community Service gave the State of Florida $1.2 million. Each grant was worth $18,000 and Jacksonville was just one of a few cities awarded two grants.
“It’s competitive,” said Wendy Spencer, chief executive officer of the Commission. “Some communities didn’t even apply.”
Alex Amparo, the director of emergency support for the Commission, said his office began taking applications for the grants back in November through a request for proposal process. Conference calls were held in January and the deadline for applications was in February. Amparo said Jacksonville’s applications stood out.
“Jacksonville was very well represented,” said Amparo. “They were well-written and methodical in approach. That’s significant.”
Amparo said Emergency Preparedness chief Chip Patterson wrote and submitted the City’s applications. According to Amparo, one of the key elements in evaluating the applications was a city’s partnerships with local organizations that assist the disabled and others in need during times of crisis. The numerous hurricanes that hit various areas of Florida last fall reinforced the need for cities all over the state to have a plan and assistance in place for those with special needs.
“We learned last year that we need to get better at managing disasters and we need to look at specific pockets of the community,” explained Amparo. “For example, most cities do not have an evacuation plan for people with disabilities.”
Amparo also said Florida’s diverse cultural make-up creates special issues during a crisis like hurricane preparation and even evacuation.
“Because of some people’s language and customs, they can be difficult to reach,” he said. “It’s not just language, but it plays a big role in the communication barrier.
“We awarded the grants after we looked at the intermediaries and the government organizations and the inroads they have made with those communities.”
The grant money will run through the end of the calendar year and Amparo said that as of now, the grants are funded for at least two more years. Each city will have to reapply annually.
“We will look at what they (the cities) do the first year, then make a determination on renewal,” he said. “Jacksonville’s application was very clear and they have strong support locally with organizations that partner with the Disabled Services Division and the Office of Volunteer Services.”