OUTSIDE AGENCY PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2015-16 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT The University of Arizona Pima Cooperative Extension Program received $36,100 in Outside Agency funds to offer a variety of educational opportunities to help people improve their lives and surroundings. The program will provide over 1,100 hours in workshops providing information and education on landscaping, gardening, safe food preparation and water conservation. TABLE OF CONTENTS OUTSIDE AGENCY OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 OUTPUTS BY SERVICE CATEGORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 OUTSIDE AGENCY ACCOMPLISHMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 2 | Community Development 2015-16 OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT OUTSIDE AGENCY OVERVIEW The Board of Supervisors allocates General Funds provided through the Outside Agency Program to address the most critical needs throughout the County, targeting services to underserved and economically disadvantaged populations and communities. The Pima County Outside Agency (OA) program provides funding to non-profit organizations which serve economically and socially disadvantaged populations through human service programs. The Pima County Board of Supervisors establishes funding for the OA program and appoints a citizen committee which holds a public review process to consider requests and make recommendations to the Board. The Outside Agency Citizen Review Committee, (the Committee) met several times throughout the past year to review the progress programs made and discuss issues that the agencies encountered, including the contractual process, contractual requirements, outcomes and outputs and the organizational capacity of outside agencies to deliver quality services. This past fiscal year, a new round of grants was reviewed and programs were funded in five service categories, with the amount of funding for each service category based upon the Committee’s determination of community needs. The Committee’s funding priorities for fiscal year 2015-2016 included: Community Services, Emergency Food & Clothing, Senior Support, Support Services/Shelter/Domestic Violence and Youth and Young Adult. The Outside Agency Program provided over $3.6 million in funding for social service programs. OUTSIDE AGENCY CITIZEN REVIEW COMMITTEE The following is a list of the current Outside Agency Community Advisory Committee members: Committee Member Date Appointed Appointed By Jeannine Mortimer, Chair February 2010 Ray Carroll, District 4 Rosalva Bullock, Vice Chair February 2010 Richard Elías, District 5 Onita Davis August 2013 Ally Miller, District 1 Steve Huffman December 2010 Chuck Huckelberry, County Administrator Noe P. Mayotte April 2016 Sharon Bronson, District 3 Victor Soltero April 2016 Ramón Valadez, District 2 Youth on Their Own client OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Community Development | 3 OUTPUTS BY SERVICE CATEGORY Service Categories Support Services, Shelter & Domestic Violence 423 553 774 3,149 13,469 Homeless 29 2,042 173 316 804 217 3,581 Persons with Disabilities 762 1,554 995 100 171 944 4,526 Low to Moderate Income (≤ 80% Medium Income) 1,679 56,006 890 971 2,846 10,844 73,236 Age Group (0-17) 66 36,202 0 34 4,220 10,096 50,618 Age Group (18-59) 1,562 52,459 183 989 1,074 6,733 63,000 Age Group (60 +) 1,008 17,632 1,934 108 47 2,451 23,180 11 349 501 15 56 71 1,003 Age Unknown Total Number of Clients Served Senior Support 8,394 General Services Emergency Food & Clothing 176 Youth & Young Adults Community Services Female Head of Household CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS Service Categories Support Services, Shelter & Domestic Violence 543 16 5,674 10,815 Rural* 0 106,584 741 603 5,381 13,677 126,986 *Unincorporated Pima County numbers are included in the Rural category. 4 | Community Development 2015-16 OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT Total Number of Clients Served 1,877 General Services 58 Youth & Young Adults Emergency Food & Clothing 2,647 Senior Support Community Services Urban AREA CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS FY 2015-16 OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING / EXPENDITURES General Services Community Services Youth & Young Adults Support Services, Shelters & DV Senior Support FY 15 - 16 Funding Emergency Food & Clothing FY 15 - 16 Expended Male 182,077 182,300 181,800 397,260 406,900 182,077 182,300 672,262 674,800 400,000 657,087 638,300 600,000 Emergency Food & Clothing 29,401 27,971 672,262 800,000 200,000 34,460 32,701 674,800 1,000,000 181,449 1,246,040 1,200,000 1,246,040 1,400,000 Community 4,461 Services 2,678 2,384 Female nded FY 2015-16 NUMBER OF CLIENTS BY SERVICE CATEGORY 45% 37% Community Services: 2,647 Birth to 17- 50: 618 Community Services: 2,647 18-59: 63,000 77% 2% 14% 4% Services: 19,351 General Youth and Young Adults: 5,397 General Services: 19,351 60+ Years: 23,180 Youth and Young1,003 Adults: 5,397 Age Unknown: Support Services, Shelter, Domestic Viol Support Services, Shelter, Domestic Violence: 1,146 Emergency Food and Clothing: 106,642 1% Senior Support: 2,618 Senior Support: 2,618 Emergency Food and Clothing: 106,642 17% 1% 2% *The Committee does not make funding recommendations for General Services requests. OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Community Development | 5 CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS FY 2015-16 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS BY QUARTER 34,460 32,701 29,401 27,971 34,460 32,701 29,401 182,077 182,300 672,262 674,800 27,971 2,678 Emergency Food & Clothing Community Services Male 4,461 2,384 2,678 3,565 4,461 Female Male Female d FY 2015-16 CLIENTS SERVED BY AGE GROUP 77% 2% 14% 4% 77% y Services: 2,647 rvices: 19,351 Community Services: 2,647 Young Adults: 5,397 General Services: 19,351 2% 14% 4% 1% 1% Youth and Young Adults: 5,397 ervices, Shelter, Domestic Violence: 1,146 Support Services, Shelter, Domestic Violence: 1,146 pport: 2,618 Senior Support: 2,618 y Food and Clothing: 106,642 Emergency Food and Clothing: 106,642 6 | Community Development 2015-16 OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2% 2% 2,384 OUTPUTS BY SERVICE CATEGORY Community Support Output Unit Projected Units Projected Beneficiaries Actual Units Actual Beneficiaries Case Management Hours 30 90 Individuals 2,611 420 Individuals Education Hours Hours 8 120 Individuals 8 114 Individuals Financial Assistance Dollars 2,000 15 Individuals 2,000 37 Individuals Individual Support Contacts 1,760 440 Individuals 2,670 582 Individuals Professional Services Hours 975 190 Individuals 301 105 Individuals Screening/Assessment Hours 300 300 Individuals 255 207 Individuals Training-Skill Development Hours 416 75 Individuals 304 43 Individuals Emergency Food and Clothing Output Unit Projected Units Projected Beneficiaries Actual Units Actual Beneficiaries Food Assistance Boxes 3,400 1,275 individuals 4,285 1,783 Individuals Food Assistance Meals 6,256 8 Agencies 195 30 Agencies Food Assistance Meals 11,856 48 Individuals 2,414 15 Individuals Food Assistance Pounds 660,600 300 Agencies 92,239 16 Agencies Food Assistance Pounds 1,989,710 152,515 Individuals 1,910 4,290 Individuals Material Assistance Items 38,400 8 Agencies 214,745 36 Agencies Material Assistance Items 15,000 2,400 Individuals 43,149 3,685 Individuals Professional Services Contacts 400 400 Individuals 227 227 Individuals Training - Skill Development Hours 340 155 Individuals 20 95 Individuals Transportation Assistance Trips 874 46 Individuals 134 46 Individuals OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Community Development | 7 OUTPUTS BY SERVICE CATEGORY Senior Support Services Output Unit Projected Units Projected Beneficiaries Actual Units Actual Beneficiaries Case Management Hours 3,448 114 Individuals 4,375 150 Individuals Food Assistance Meals 5,625 45 Individuals 12,590 461 Individuals Food Assistance Meals 50,295 171 Individuals 76,045 350 Individuals Individual Support Hours 3,500 35 Individuals 2,700 29 Individuals Professional Services Hours 3,200 32 Households 1,625 64 Households Screening/Assessment Screenings 950 950 Individuals 611 429 Individuals Training - Parent Skills Hours 60 40 Individuals 47 38 Individuals Training - Skill Development Hours 88 2 Individuals 44 4 Individuals Training-Volunteers Professionals Hours 96 2 Individuals 132 8 Individuals Transportation Assistance Trips 3,190 94 Individuals 953 142 Individuals Output Unit Projected Units Projected Beneficiaries Actual Units Actual Beneficiaries Case Management Hours 1,260 332 Individuals 498 842 Individuals Counseling Hours 288 12 Individuals 484 74 Individuals Education Hours 232 15 Individuals 290 15 Individuals Financial Assistance Dollars 37,575 139 Individuals 12,789 59 Individuals Material Assistance Items 12,000 300 Individuals 2,038 172 Individuals Screenings 129 117 Individuals 119 75 Individuals Shelter Nights 2,130 54 Individuals 1,183 58 Individuals Shelter Units 11 11 Household 6 6 Households Training-Skill Development Hours 524 77 Individuals 1,030 295 Individuals Support Services, Shelter, and Domestic Violence Screening/Assessment 8 | Community Development 2015-16 OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT OUTPUTS BY SERVICE CATEGORY Youth and Young Adults Output Unit Projected Units Projected Beneficiaries Actual Units Actual Beneficiaries Case Management Hours 2,030 61 Individuals 3,668 178 Individuals Education Hours 9,767 593 Individuals 21,800 2,100 Individuals Education Hours Hours 1,534 305 Individuals 259 188 Individuals Financial Assistance Dollars 40,517 7 Households 25,660 16 Households Financial Assistance Dollars 111,507 494 Individuals 151,537 745 Individuals Food Assistance Meals 92 45 Individuals 201 61 Individuals Mentoring Hours 3,572 330 Individuals 3,331 695 Individuals Professional Services Hours 100 200 Households 3 59 Households Professional Services Hours 13,590 582 Individuals 5,608 1,750 Individuals Screening/Assessment Screenings 84 57 Individuals 159 148 Individuals Shelter Beds 270 27 Individuals 142 11 Individuals Training-Skill Development Hours 2,300 367 Individuals 26,203 362 Individuals The Outside Agency Program contributed to construction of the 4-H High Ropes Course which consists of 4 low and 11 high elements, including a zip line and trapeze leap. Managed and supervised by certified Challenge Course Facilitators, the course seeks to develop confidence and build trust, leadership and communication skills in 4-H students. OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Community Development | 9 OUTPUTS BY SERVICE CATEGORY General Services Output Unit Projected Units Projected Beneficiaries Actual Units Actual Beneficiaries Case Management Hours 1,440 40 Individuals 1,443 34 Individuals Education Hours 1,760 5,550 Individuals 1,113 3,305 Individuals Education Hours Hours 1,000 1,000 Individuals 3,900 133 Individuals Financial Assistance Dollars 13,500 40 Households 13,296 46 Households Food Assistance Boxes 225 75 Individuals 2,354 1,385 Individuals Food Assistance Meals Provided 3,925 25 Individuals 4,079 31 Individuals Home Modifications Modifications 6 6 Individuals 5 5 Individuals Material Assistance Items 1,441 2,320 Individuals 425 2,626 Individuals Professional Services Contacts 8,720 4,360 Individuals 5,433 2,758 Individuals Professional Services Hours 7,000 2,500 Individuals 5,664 2,229 Individuals Pro-social Activities Events 17 50 Group Contacts 21 120 Group Contacts Referral/Information Referrals 225 90 Individuals 143 114 Individuals Hours 625 5 Individuals 943 9 Individuals Screening/ Assessment Screenings 4,316 2,611 Individuals 3,178 2,319 Individuals Screening/ Assessment Hours 220 220 Individuals 475 475 Individuals Training-Parent Skills Hours 6,724 2,805 Individuals 1,727 1,101 Individuals Training - Skill Development Hours 15,280 1,103 Individuals 8,182 852 Individuals Respite 10 | Community Development 2015-16 OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT OUTSIDE AGENCY ACCOMPLISHMENTS In their annual reports, agencies describe outcomes that have been accomplished during FY 15-16. The following are examples of the outstanding outcomes achieved by these agencies: Tu Nidito Children and Family Services Pathways Youth, Young Adult and Family Support Tu Nidito recognizes that the illness of a sibling can be devastating for children. The agency seeks to provide a safe place where families can share their experiences with other families facing similar circumstances. Tu Nidito hosted its third annual “Super Siblings” event May 13 to honor the brothers and sisters of children with serious illnesses. Many times, healthy siblings feel left out when they see an ill child receiving extra attention or gifts. The theme of this year’s gathering was “Animals” and appropriately, it featured a petting zoo with chickens, rabbits, goats and ponies as well as pony rides, face painting, dinner and a movie with popcorn and treats. The kids felt important and special. Tu Nidito continues to expand our services to the Spanishspeaking community and is able to offer support to families that have a language barrier, especially at the hospital. Also, the non-profit implemented a new communications plan intended to allow client families to better access Tu Nidito’s support services when needed. The effort included providing clients with refrigerator magnets designed to serve as a handy reminder to call when they need help. Tu Nidito’s main referral source for its Pathways program are the nurses and social workers at Banner University Medical Center. But frequent staff turnover at the hospital often results in new employees being unfamiliar with Tu Nidito’s services or how to make referrals. To counteract this obstacle, Tu Nidito conducts presentations to all new Banner staff every six months. The agency sometimes struggles to convert referrals into clients out of an overabundance of caution for the often fragile state of the families with whom it comes into contact. Tu Nidito management always seeks to respect the boundaries of those in crisis but always attempts maintain contact with people classified as NTUC (Not Taken Under Care) should a change of heart occur. Tu Nidito staffers play with a young client. OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Community Development | 11 Tu Nidito Children and Family Services Pathways Jewish Family and Children’s Service Project Safe Place Case History: Shared from the experience of a Tu Nidito Support Specialist: Youth, Young Adult and Family Support Project Safe Place (PSP) has been in high demand enrolling 157 new clients in need of trauma-related counseling services during the fiscal year. Therapists are also working with their non-offending family members. PSP provides counseling services to children ages 3-18 who are victims of abuse and/or neglect. The project staff continues to see positive outcomes in the children and families that they work with. JFCS recognizes the continued need for trauma work for so many children in Pima County and is responding with trained and skilled staff that can help provide excellent care. We have been able to increase the number of clients seen due to the addition of new PHD and Masters level intern counselors. “I have the privilege of working with a patient who I solely see out in the community, primarily at Banner University Medical Center in the dialysis unit. I have been working with this patient since April 2014 and visits occur on a weekly basis. When I first began seeing this patient, it was clear that it would take time to create and establish a trusting relationship. Such a relationship emerged from following the patient’s request of doing simple science experiments. This was no easy feat to do in the dialysis unit but the staff was incredibly kind, accommodating and supportive. Science experiments are something I have not done with other patients, but with this patient it was particularly important in building rapport. Once trust was formed, we began engaging in activities that were more directly therapeutic in nature to process the emotions related to diagnosis and treatment. It took time for this patient to feel comfortable discussing and expressing personal thoughts and feelings, but it was done in their own way and on their own time. One of the most profound things this patient shared with me took place during a writing activity using metaphor and simile to describe the diagnosis, enabling the patient to consider things on a more abstract level. The patient wrote, “If my illness was a building it would be the Twin Towers because they got hit without noticing.” This was an incredibly impactful statement, showing how the patient was completely taken off guard by the diagnosis and how it caused their whole world to change in an instant.” Case Histories: Jesus who suffered a history of physical abuse and abandonment was referred to Project Safe Place in August 2013 when he returned to Tucson at age seven following a period in the custody of the Mexican Government’s child protective system. When Jesus started working with Project Safe Place he was hurting himself on a daily basis, running away from caregivers and unable to stay in school for more than one or two hours at a time. He has shown great progress since the start of treatment with greatly increased emotional regulation, self-expression and utilization of coping skills – most noticeable by a marked decrease in self-harming behaviors, attempts to escape from moving vehicles or running away from caregivers. Tyler, is an 11-year-old who came to Project Safe Place to address issues related to the physical abuse he endured from his father. Initially hesitant to engage in therapy, Tyler grew to love coming to Project Safe Place after six months of individual counseling. It made him truly sad when his therapist told him he was ready to stop their sessions. Tyler came to accept the abuse was not his fault, address his low self-esteem, and learn safety skills for the future. Tyler’s mom was so glad to see the transformation in her son, especially the growth in his self-concept. Siblings Steve and Stacy came into the program September 2014 after DCS removed them from their biological mother and step father due to neglect and domestic violence. Steve and Stacy stayed in a foster home for over a year and a half, during which time a Project Safe Place therapist worked with the children to help them cope with their overwhelming feelings of loss and fear while placed in foster care. Sadly, despite many attempts, their birth mother could not successfully complete a case plan, including treatment for substance abuse and ultimately, she relinquished her parental rights. Tu Nidito and Family Services Pathways 12 | Community Development 2015-16 OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT The Project Safe Place therapist had built a rapport with the children and was able to provide ongoing support as they struggled with the loss of their mother and the fears for the future. Fortunately, the children’s foster mother developed a love for them and agreed to adopt them and allow them to have regular supervised contact with their birth mother so long as she is appropriate and safe. The therapist was able to help the children accept this offer of love and transition successfully into their new permanent home. Youth on Their Own Monthly Stipend Program Youth and Young Adults Youth On Their Own (YOTO) students have the opportunity to earn a monthly stipend with the assurance that they will remain in school and pursue their high school graduation. The stipends help youth pay for rent, utilities, food, healthcare, transportation, or other basic needs. During the first two quarters 598 students received stipends with Pima County Outside Agency funds. These students earned a stipend by maintaining passing grades and steady school attendance per school standards. Stipends were not awarded in July or August as school was not in session. While the beginning of the school year is always very busy with enrolling students and processing applications, we have experienced tremendous growth among applications this year. YOTO received 1,115 applications, representing a staggering 21% increase over the same time last year. As of 12/31/2016, we served 1,290 homeless students (13% increase over same time last year). YOTO expended all remaining Outside Agency contract funds during Quarter 2, therefore no students were served with Outside Agency funds in Quarter 3. Nevertheless, the agency continued to serve students enrolled in the Stipend Program. During January, February, and March 2016, YOTO provided 2,167 earned stipends to students who maintained passing grades and steady school attendance. As of March 31, YOTO had served 1,580 students during the 2015-2016 school year (an 18% increase over same time last year) while also receiving 1,825 applications (25% increase over same time last year.) Youth On Their Own is grateful to have received an additional $15,300 during the 4th Quarter. Those funds allowed YOTO able to support an additional 118 students in May and June 2016. During April, May and June, YOTO provided 1,704 earned stipends to students enrolled in the program. In all, statistics shot the stipend program benefited 1,588 students during the 2015-2016 school year (8% increase over last year) out of 1,825 applications received (25% increase over last year). Because student stipends are YOTO largest programmatic expense the agency must work continuously to find consistent, diverse sources of funding to implement all of its goals and objectives and keep up with an ever-increasing demand. Every month, YOTO enlist volunteers to write encouraging notes to the students such as “Great job this month. Keep it up!” or other motivating thoughts then attach the message to the students’ stipend checks and sort them by schools. It may seem like a small gesture, but the students love seeing that someone is thinking of them and encouraging them to do well. Youth On Their Own seeks to eliminate barriers to education and empower Arizona’s homeless youth to stay in school. OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Community Development | 13 programs as well as more traditional emergency shelter facilities for women who are 55 and over. Part of the high volume of crisis calls and screenings this quarter came as a result of a decision by the Emerge! Center Against Domestic Violence limiting its services to those experiencing partner abuse, which leaves many women 55 and over without service coverage. Although ESP works closely with ARC’s Late Life and Domestic Violence program, not all of these clients have medical or physical care needs that would qualify them for care home placement. Without services through Emerge! there are very few shelter resources available for these clients who need temporary, anonymous, safe housing. The Community Food Bank Child Nutrition Program received $15,000 in Outside Agency funds to provide over 100 meals and snacks to children who lack access to food through take-home backpacks, school pantries or afterschool in high-need schools in Pima County. Administration of Resources and Choices Elder Shelter Project Senior Support The Elder Shelter Project provides all clients with advocacy and crisis services, as well as referrals and resource information, safety planning and placement or housing advocacy and referral. However, accomplishing those goals comes with many challenges. Project staffers report the process of providing the required paperwork to care homes can be particular difficulty in times of crisis, often necessitating a trip to hospital emergency facilities for evaluation, TB clearance and physicians’ orders. This places undue, and unnecessary, demands on the community’s healthcare system. By way of a solution, the Project recommends creation of a placement evaluation clinic to would provide the medical assessments and documentation needed to ensure it can serve more clients more efficiently and with the dignity they deserve. Additionally, the Elder Shelter Project frequently receives requests from clients who need temporary shelter but do not fit the criteria for care home placement. These are clients who are over age 60 but who do not have suffer from chronic medical or physical conditions requiring day-to-day care. These clients often are not appropriate candidates for traditional shelter facilities either, as they may have some difficulty getting in and out of bunk beds which are used in traditional shelter facilities. Elder Shelter currently is seeking funding to be able to provide assistance to these clients by providing them with hotel vouchers for duration of up to a week, while allowing staff to provide assistance with applications for transitional housing programs. Many of the Project’s elderly clients have temporary care needs following discharge from hospital care. It can be difficult to get them from the volunteer care homes into transitional housing programs, particularly because ESP is limited to two-week placements and wait-lists for transitional housing programs or senior subsidized housing programs can be three months or more. There is a huge need in Pima County for senior-focused transitional housing 14 | Community Development 2015-16 OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT The Elder Shelter Project partners closely with the Late Life Domestic Violence Program (LLDV) to assist some seniors with shelter who did not qualify for Elder Shelter Placement (ESP.) This collaboration allows some of these clients back into their homes or to secure long term stability through independent housing. ESP experiences a significant drop in case management clients and crisis line screening requests during the last quarter of each fiscal year. This is, in part, seasonal. Many clients and their families do not live in the area year-round and depart for cooler climes during the summer months. However, it is during summertime that one of ESP’s most crucial activities occurs: care home recruitment. It is a fundamental function of the Project to keep an updated network of care homes who volunteer regularly or are willing to volunteer. Without these homes, ESP would be unable to provide temporary emergency care home placement, and the services it provides are nearly entirely dependent on maintenance of this network. ESP management hopes to expand services in the future by securing funding to provide some care homes with a subsidized daily rate for clients with higher and more expensive levels of care. That would benefit clients who need to transition to long term care but have not yet been accept into the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS.) The ALTCS application process is extensive and often takes more than a month for funding to be approved following completion of the application process. Since ESP is limited to a two-week emergency placement, clients can go a substantial period of time without necessary care. Case History: The Elder Shelter Project received a call from a Salvation Army case manager regarding a man suffering from advanced stage Huntington’s Disease who had been dropped off at its shelter by Tucson Police. Additionally, Adult Protective Services (APS) became in involved due to allegations of financial exploitation and neglect with local family members. Unable to care for himself at all, the 54-year-old needed emergency placement. ESP prevailed upon the Salvation Army to bring the man to a nearby hospital in order to complete the needed medical evaluation and documentation he need to be accepted by a care home. Afterward, ESP arranged for the hospital to transport the man long-term care facility and requesting APS reopen the case regarding his financial situation and ensure he had the income to pay the care home until ALTCS funds became available. The Age food scho The Out shoe Girl Scouts in the Adelante Jovencitas program enjoy a chemistry experiment as part of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum. Adelante Jovencitas (“Girls Moving Forward”) is operated, in part, with Outside Agency Funds by The Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona. AJ groups provide girls with a space to learn life skills, give back to the community, and accomplish important leadership goals. girls created or chose pre-printed cards with short, positive phrases such as “Remember what got you here last time,” “Focus on the future” or “Love yourself” to carry with them and share on bad days. They were confident that they would be able to utilize them as helpful reminders in the future. Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona Adelante Jovencitas A holiday field trip to Winterhaven was another standout activity. Two separate groups of Adelante Jovencitas girls took part and quickly bonded into a tight-knit unit. They went out of their way to make sure everyone on the exclusion felt included, paying particular attention to a first-timer - the foster sister of a veteran member. By the end of the trip, staff reported seeing clear evidence of growth in all of the girls. Youth and Young Adults During the year, program participants took part in numerous instructional activities covering a wide variety of topics, everything from STEM education and job skills to team building, nutrition and financial literacy. The main focus in all of the groups is development of self-care and stress relief techniques. Many AJ girls love sharing their personal favorites and learning new ways to stay grounded and keep their emotions on an even keel. This year saw an increased influx of girls coming from juvenile detention programs and group homes with fewer participants joining in from the program’s three community groups. Staff changes presented some challenges but those were addressed by the Program Director taking a more hands-on approach while continuing to seek out new hires to work with the girls to come up with new projects; favorites included creating safe cosmetics, making marble mazes and planning out new goals through creation of a vision board. One of the most meaningful activities AJ girls participated was the creation of affirmation cards. The idea came following a meeting where some girls shared with staff that they or their friends sometimes struggled with feelings of negativity. In response, the The TMM Family Services, Inc. Community Closet Program received $21,000 in Outside Agency funds to provide 2,000 individuals in crisis with clothing, bedding, shoes and household items. OUTSIDE AGENCY ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Community Development | 15 The Out imp wor food Board of Supervisors Sharon Bronson, Chair, District 3 Ally Miller, District 1 Ramón Valadez , District 2 Stephen W. Christy, District 4 Richard Elías, District 5 County Administrator, Chuck Huckelberry Deputy County Administrator for Community and Health Services, Jan Lesher 3461 170113 DB