Social service funding up for review
This week, we're highlighting a presentation on Tuesday at 1:00pm on Lexington's Extended Social Resource (ESR) program. The presentation will be made in the General Government & Social Services Committee by Commissioner Chris Ford.
Why is this important?
The ESR program funds dozens of social service and nonprofit organizations that exist outside the city.
These organizations provide critical services in four areas: community wellness & safety, childhood & youth development, food insecurity & nutritional access, and overnight emergency shelter.
Social Service agencies are needed more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many are struggling to survive COVID-19.
The ESR program was initially cut from the Mayor's Proposed Budget for this fiscal year before being re-added by the Council after significant community pushback.
When the program was reinstated, many Council members insisted that the Council undertake a comprehensive review of the program.
With no end in sight for the LFUCG's budget woes, the ESR program may be up for elimination again in the FY22 budget.
What does ESR look like this year?
In the FY21 budget, there was $2.1M reserved for the ESR program. This is down significantly from previous years' budgets - the past 5 years each included over $3M for the ESR program. The main reason for this decrease is due to the Hope Center - which received a $750k+ ESR allotment in years past - being transferred to its own line item.
While there was a decrease in funding this year, the number of agencies funded by ESR grants was constant this year, indicating that many organizations had their funding cut.
As in previous years, FY21's ESR grants were competitive and were awarded through the LFUCG's typical Request-for-Proposals/bid process. The applications were released in February and were awarded in August.
What does the city fund through ESR?
The FY21 ESR program focuses on the four areas mentioned above. Here is more detail on those categories:
Community Wellness & Safety Focus Area:
Local Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery
Violence Prevention and Intervention
Domestic Violence Prevention and Interpersonal Safety
Mental Health Services, and Public Health Initiatives
Childhood & Youth Development Focus Area:
Early learning opportunities for Pre–K & elementary students and their families
Food Insecurity & Nutritional Access Focus Area:
Reducing the recurring and/or chronic episodes of food insecurity impacting local families
Increase access to affordable and nutritious foods in underserved neighborhoods
Nutrition-based feeding programs geared to serve vulnerable populations
Overnight Emergency Shelter
Facilities with overnight sleeping accommodations.
Organizations that have historically received significant funding (over $150k) from the ESR program include:
Arbor Youth Services, Community Action Council, God's Pantry Food Bank, Greenhouse17, Salvation Army, and the University of Kentucky Research Foundation.
The majority of grant awards are under $100k, and fund organizations like:
Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, Common Good, FoodChain, NAMI Lexington, Natalie's Sisters, and many more.
The city provides documentation for ESR awards for the past three years on its website. You can see FY20 awardees here, and FY18 & FY19 here.
What is the context?
While the COVID-19 crisis is wreaking havoc on city and state governments across the country, it is unclear if a second round of needed relief for state and local government is coming.
Without this funding, Lexington's revenue may continue to fall, putting funding for external organizations at risk. External organizaitonal funding will likely be back on the chopping block for the next budget. This includes ESR - but also Economic Development institutions.
If the ESR program is reduced or eliminated, these agencies' ability to help clients will be diminished, and many social service workers may be laid off. This will place more burden on the social safety net - including the city's in-house social services.
Charitable giving to nonprofit organizations was already shrinking in 2019. While many of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have yet to reveal themselves, there is clear evidence that social service agencies need sustained and guaranteed support immediately.