LTC 081-2020 Co-Location of Department of Children and Families Staff MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 081-2020 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager S..tit
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DATE: February 13, 2020
SUBJECT: Co-Location of Department of Children and Families Staff
We are pleased to announce that the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has co-
located staff within the City's Department of Housing and Community Services to ensure that
residents have access to agency staff complimenting the City's ACCESS Florida services.
As you may recall, DCF closed its Miami Beach office on January 24th when it was unable to
renew its lease. DCF staff now work alongside City staff to ensure that residents are holistically
served for their human services needs in a one-stop shop design. This service delivery model
enhances the client experience by leveraging resources to minimize client service disruption and
expanding opportunities to access collateral resources. For instance, in addition to Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications and recertifications typically provided through
DCF, residents can access emergency food cards provided by the City's Emergency Food and
Shelter Program to tie them over until DCF-issued benefits can begin ensuring that food insecurity
is addressed proactively.
In addition, as clients apply or recertify for food benefits, they are encouraged to access the City's
free tax preparation services, which are offered onsite and provided in conjunction with the
Internal Revenue Service and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance(VITA) program, to maximize
their incomes. In the first two weeks of tax service, the City completed 96 returns generating
$115,445 in tax refunds and saving $14,850 in tax preparation fees among our most vulnerable
residents.
The one-stop show design will enable clients who apply or recertify for ACCESS Florida services
to be assessed for additional City and community-based programming and supports including:
• Rent and utility assistance (including Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
• Youth academic and behavioral services (tutoring, developmental evaluation, Family
Group Conferencing, new parent and child rearing classes, etc.)
• Child support and wage theft enforcement (in conjunction with the Office of the State
Attorney)
•
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to see me or Maria Ruiz, Department
Director, Office of Housing and Community Services.