ORDINANCE approving and authorizing second amendment to contract between the City of Houston and EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INSPIRING COMMUNITIES, INC, to provide up to an additional $200,000.00 in Community Development Block Grant Funds for the continuing administration and operation of the H.E.A.R.T. Program, a Job Training Program for developmentally disabled low and moderate income adults

The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) is requesting a second contract amendment for Educational Programs Inspiring Communities for the Housing Entrepreneurial and Readiness Training (H.E.A.R.T.). This second contract amendment  will begin January 31, 2018 and providing up to $200,000 for the administration and operation of a job training program for developmentally disabled adults.

H.E.A.R.T. will continue to provide special education, job training, transportation, and supportive services to 42 low- to moderate-income adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities.  The CDBG funds will support a special education certified teacher, job training instructors, program manager, training facility, and administration costs of the program.  By participating in the H.E.A.R.T. training program, participants will receive a customized training curriculum consisting of life skills, social skills, job readiness, hands-on training, on-the-job training, classroom training, and community-based vocational instruction.  H.E.A.R.T. receives funding from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in the amount  of $100,540, and Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) in the amount of $125,000 to support this program.  CDBG funds are providing 46% of the program cost.   

HCDD conducted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for CDBG contracts for Fiscal Year 2016.  Educational Programs Inspiring Communities was one of the agencies selected.  The original contract period was from February 1, 2016-January 31, 2017.  This contract amendment was from February 1, 2017-January 31, 2018.  This second amendment extends the contract through January 31, 2019. The H.E.A.R.T. program has received CDBG funding through the City of Houston for various contracts since 2005.

This item was reviewed by the Housing and Community Affairs Committee on November 28, 2017.

____________________________________________

Tom McCasland Director

1/25/16, (O) 2016-92

1/3/17, (O) 2017-35 

$200,000.00

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Fund 5000

Roxanne Lawson

(832) 394-6307