Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #453FY0001 Emergency Safety Renovation Project
Requester:		John Cross			Organization:		Here's Help, Inc.
Project Title:		Emergency Safety Renovation Project			Date Submitted:		02/01/2001 10:38:44 AM
Sponsors:		Kenneth Gottlieb
Statewide Interest:		Reducing drug addiction and abuse, increasing educational levels and reducing crime among juveniles
Recipient:		Here's Help, Inc.			Contact:		Steve Safron
		15100 NW 27th Avenue			Contact Phone:		(305) 685-8201
		Opa Locka 33054
Counties:		Broward, Dade
Service Area:		Private Organization
Project Description:
Here's Help, Inc. is a not-for-profit substance abuse agency established in 1968, providing Residential and Outpatient services in south Florida. Here's Help is licensed by the state Department of Children and Families and is C.A.R.F. (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited. Over the years, Here's Help has been a forerunner in drug treatment, specializing in working with high-risk adolescents and young adults. In addition to offering traditional drug treatment, i.e. group and individual therapy, family therapy, educational seminars and health related forums, Here's Help is adding to its programming more contemporary and innovative approaches in treating our unique population. In 1998, Here's Help and its management began projects that focused on the enhancement of health, safety, and the environment. These improvements were made to ensure that the ongoing and evolving needs of the facility and the clients were kept up-to-date. They have made progress, but more needs to be done. These are are brief description of proposed renovations: 1. The School Facility-Improvements are needed to the physical environment to comply with safety regulations, and to achieve the maximum potential of their educational agenda. 2. The Kitchen Facility-The current kitchen is old and in need of constant repair. It poses many safety and efficiency issues. 3. The Computer Lab-Here's Help is using computers donated to the program. Their objective is to teach and develop computer proficiency in their clients. The lab at present is plagued by leaks in the seaming of the roof and sidings. They have already lost the use of tewo computers because of water damage. In addition to using the room for computer class, Here's Help records a weekly radio show, which is a onehour Public Affairs program that has been airing on south Florida radio continously since 1974. It is currently airing on three prominent FM stations, Y-100, Big 106, and MEGA 103. 4. Renovate exisiting male dormitory-For the last ten years, juvenile and young adult males have shared living quarters in a dormitory style facility. Since the construction of a new semi-private juvenile dorm, Here's Help has witnessed a positive impact it has had on the treatment of the adolescent population. Therefore, Here's Help is seeking to renovate the existing male dorm and convert it from a dormitory/institutonal style living to "semi-private" living quarters. Here's Help would like to add walls that will provide allocated space for two clients to share one area. In addition, Here's Help is seeking to add a safety fire sprinkler system to the dorm. 5. The Parking Lot-The parking lot is old and unsightly. Due to previous construction, the asphalt has been parched, repaired and is presently in need of refinishing. Cracks from age have appeared, which means erosion is causing the parking lot to collapse in some areas, causing a real hazzard. There are no barriers into hte parking lot to prevent speeding cars from entering at an appropriate speed to ensure the safety of the in-patient clients and other visitors.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
By the state funding this project, and making the Here's Help facility healthier, safer and more conducive to treatment, its positive outcomes with clients will be enhanced. Specifically, the anticipated outcomes are as follows: 1. The year following completion of the project will show a five percent higher successful completion rate in the residential and outpatient programming. 2. Client satisfaction survey results five percent higher-"very satisfied or above" on over-all approval of the program. 3. Five percent greater "no drug or alcohol" use status 90 days after treatment. 4. Five percent improvement in the number of clients completing high school or obtaining GED's. 5. Five percent reduction in the number of clients arrested 90 days after treatment.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$459,000
Identify item(s) in the Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:			1146A
Specific Appropriation Title:			Special Categories-Legislative Initiatives to Reduce Juvenile Crime Pursuant to Executive Order 2000-7
Amount to be reduced:			$459,000
Fund Source:			General Revenue
Total cost of the project:			$612,000
Request has been made to fund:				Construction
Type of funding match:		Private
					Total In-Kind Amount:		$153,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							No
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							No
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		Governor's proposed Florida Drug Control Strategy has targeted Juvenile Offenders as area of concern
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:		01/17/2001