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POLICY PROPOSAL
DATE FILE NUMBER SUBJECT Contract with Women's PAGE 1 OF 2
11/30/78 P-44 Haven, Inc.
PROPOSAL PROPOSED BY: Mayor IC!T MAN S REVIEW
Hugh Parmer J/f/j;� ,. y A d
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Background
During the 1978-79 budget review process, the City Council approved a request for
funds from Women's Haven, Inc. to provide emergency shelter for victims of intra-
family violence. However, at the time the Council considered this proposal, the
City Attorney raised several questions with regard to the City granting funds to
Women's Haven. Accordingly, the funds were not included in the adopted budget.
Since that time, the City Attorney has received an Attorney General's opinion
which indicates that there is no legal obstacle to a contractual agreement to pur-
chase service from Women's Haven.
In view of this development, I would like to propose that the City Council recon-
sider funding this worthwhile program. This would enable Women's Haven, Inc. to
continue providing services until 1979-1980, at which time they anticipate receiv-
ing funding from the United Way. The organization's accomplishments have been
significant and have addressed a critical problem which exists in the community.
During the period December 20, 1977, through September 30, 1978, Women's Haven,
Inc. received 3,387 calls for assistance. Some of these calls originated from
victims and some were referrals from other agencies including the Fort Worth
Police Department. In response to these calls, the Haven provided shelter and
other services to 154 women and 244 children.
Recommendation
I recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract
with Women's Haven, Inc. in the amount of $79,368.00 to provide shelter and assistance
to victims of intra-family violence.
Legality
There is no legal prohibition to contracting for services. Contract negotiations
would undoubtedly establish per diem rates, terms for payment, accounting procedures,
etc. for ultimate submission to and approval by the City Council.
LEGALITY
FISCAL NOTE
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
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POLICY PROPOSAL (cont'd) PAGE
Fiscal Note
Funds are available in the General Fund Balance. Women's Haven, Inc. officials
have indicated that this will be a non-recurring request.
City Manager's Comments
Women's Haven, Inc. performs a worthwhile and important function that fills a void
in social services offered in the community. This request was carefully analyzed
and evaluated in relation to many other program proposals during the formulation
of the 1978-79 budget. It was not recommended for inclusion in the proposed budget
because the staff could not recommend a long-term funding commitment to a new
program when several existing services were being reduced or eliminated.
Funding assistance may be available under Title XX of the Social Security Act.
Discussions with the State Department of Human Resources indicate that Women's
Haven, Inc. is eligible for funds, but State policy has not designated victims of
intra-family violence as a priority for Title XX projects. Staff is willing to
assist Women's Haven, Inc. in acquiring a portion of Title XX funds and currently
is examining other possible funding sources. However, this may be a lengthy process
due to the time involved in State planning procedures. It is the staff's under-
standing that General Fund Reserves are being requested on a one-time basis so that
Women's Haven, Inc. may continue to provide their services during the next year.
HugZ7
Aayor
CITY OF FORT WORTH