Inventory of Major Social Service Agencies in the city
Fulton County
Legislatively, Fulton County government is responsible for providing human service programs. The County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) was created in 1989 with a budget of $2.5million that has grown to an estimated budget of $26million for the FY 2003 program year. DHS operates the following six divisions in providing a level of service to County residents.
The Office of Children and Youth works with communities on issues that affect young people.
The Office of Disability Affairs promotes “equal access” for citizens with disabilities.
The Office of Emergency and Transitional Housing provides shelter and resettlement assistance to families and individuals in need.
The Office of Workforce Development provides job training and workforce literacy training to youth and adults to transition these residents into the workforce.
The Office of Aging provides a variety of services to residents that are 55 or older. This office operates sixteen facilities throughout the County. Currently, there are fifteen Neighborhood Centers and there are four multi-purpose facilities (see map). The multi-purpose facilities are community “focal points” and provide health, social, nutritional, therapeutic, educational, and cultural activities and programs for participants.
The Office of Planning and Community Partnerships oversees departmental strategic planning; human service grants, resource development, and community needs assessments.
Map 8.1 Family and Children's Services Centers (Popup full image)
Source: Bureau of Planning
Fulton County Department Of Family And Children Services
The County’s Department of Families and Children Services (DFACS) is responsible for the administration and management of the County’s public welfare program. DFACS operates out of eight program offices in the County and five of these sites are within the City limits. DFACS’ primary mission is “ In partnership with others, to effectively deliver compassionate, innovative and accountable services to individuals, families, and communities“.
DFACS’ wide range of services includes: 1) homeless services; 2) home management services; 3) foster care services; 4) independent living services for seniors; 5) Medicaid services; 6) group homes for the youth; 7) employment services; 8) child care; 9) refugee resettlement programs; 10) supplemental security income (SSI); and 11) the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program. DFACS also administers other special initiatives that target low and moderate-income groups. DFACS’ annual budget is supported by Fulton County and by federal and state funds for its many programs. The budget for the FY 2003 is estimated at being approximately $105,965,269.
Fulton County Department Of Public Health
The County’s Department of Public Health (DPH) mission is to promote, protect, and assure the health and wellness of the people of Fulton County. The DPH provides a wide variety of public and mental health services. These services include: 1) AIDS testing and prevention; 2) teen pregnancy services; 3) employee physical services; 4) health education; 5) eye and dental care; 6) environmental health services; and 7) violence prevention. The budget is estimated at $39,242,833.
There are nine DPH facilities located inside the City. These locations are identified on the map. DPH operates six neighborhood mental health centers inside the City. These locations are identified on the map.
Office Of Workforce Development - City Of Atlanta
The Office of Workforce Development’s primary mission is to operate an integrated system that will meet the developing workforce needs and provide quality services to all citizens of the City of Atlanta. The program provides for job training, increasing of employment and earnings, improving the quality of the workforce, and reducing welfare dependency. The budget is estimated at $4.1million.
United Way Of Metropolitan Atlanta
The United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta’s is a multi-jurisdictional agency that provides direct funding or supplemental funding to hundreds of social service agencies in a thirteen county area with Fulton County being the largest service area. The mission of the United Way is to measurably improve the human condition of the community with resources that are easily accessible and provided in a caring environment. The basic needs are defined as services that: 1) respond to an emergency situation; 2) services that address temporary need for food, clothing, housing, child care and related services; 3) services that address “sustained” needs of individuals and families; and 4) health education and referral services. United Way also offers specialized programs for seniors and the agency funds various agencies that offer specialized programs for seniors and the agency funds various agencies that offer refugee and immigrant resettlement programs. The estimated budget is at $42.8 million. The investments were made by volunteers and the dollars are available through the community impact fund, which is raised during the annual campaign.
Map 8.2 Health Centers (Popup full image)
Source: Bureau of Planning
Map 8.3 Mental Health and Retardation Training Centers (Popup full image)
Source: Bureau of Planning
Atlanta Renewal Community
Recently designated as a Renewal Community by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (January 2002), Atlanta is eligible to share in an estimated $17 billion in tax incentives to stimulate job growth, promote economic development and create affordable housing in areas suffering from divestment and decline. In accepting the designation, the Renewal Community will replace the City of Atlanta’s Empowerment Zone (EZ).
Established by the 2000 Community Renewal Tax Relief Act, the Renewal Community Initiative encourages public-private collaboration to generate economic development in 40 distressed communities around the country. Atlanta will receive regulatory relief and tax breaks to help local businesses provide more jobs and promote community revitalization. The City of Atlanta will utilize tax credits, tax deductions, capital gains exclusions and bond financing. Areas that are included in the designation are to become “renewal clusters” and receive priority in their planning and economic development. The three identified clusters in the City are Westside Renewal Cluster, Eastside Renewal Cluster, and Southside Renewal Cluster.
Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority
The Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority, Inc. (FACAA) is a community based community action agency with three (3) satellite offices located in target communities throughout Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. FACAA’S corporate and training offices are located in midtown, accessible by MARTA. FACAA’s major program & services include job readiness & placement, emergency assistance, energy related assistance, education/skills training, youth & senior related programs and housing assistance services.
In addition to its human service activities FACAA’s housing subsidiary, FACHO renovated a 112 unit multi-family housing development for low-moderate individuals and families. FACAA also develops single family housing units in Fulton County. Graduates of the Fulton Atlanta Youth Build program are retained as construction apprentices conducting home building/home repair activities and to further strengthen the skills acquired during the program in preparation for within the construction-related field. The budget is estimated at $3,860,869.00 for 2002-2003.
Office Of Human Services - City Of Atlanta
The City’s Office of Human Services (OHS) primary function is to create human service delivery systems for the citizens of Atlanta. The mission includes the provision of staff; technical assistance and/or funding for may programs, task forces and advocacy groups. It also undertakes special projects, which enhance the daily lives of many of Atlanta’s citizens. The budget for OHS is estimated at $455,125.03.
The OHS also administers the following programs:
Social Development. OHS administers programs that are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These grants include Community Development Block Grant funds and are administered through contractual arrangement with social service providers. The activities of the Division include programs serving special needs and at-risk populations.
Summer Food Program. This project for youth provides free meals to youth that participate in summer programs sponsored by non-profit agencies. The Office of School Readiness funds this program.
Support Services and Special Initiatives. The OHS also provides staff, funds, and/or technical assistance to community and advocacy groups regarding concerns of low and moderate-income residents. This is a volunteer effort designed to provide relief to elderly homeowners that reside in the City. Some of the services provided through this resource bank include home repair and renovation and emergency assistance resources.
Homeless Services. This program coordinates services for people who are living on the streets through outreach and referral. Services provided include food, clothing, shelters, medical or transportation. The program also coordinates emergency overflow shelter in severe weather conditions, utilizing City facilities when necessary.
Office Of Grants Management - City Of Atlanta
The Office of Grants Management administers three of the four programs that are part of the City’s Consolidated Plan. These funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City’s estimated allocation for this program year is $19,671,000. The four programs are as follows:
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This program funds programs and projects that benefit low and moderate-income residents through provision of human services programs. This grant also funds programs in “ community development impact areas” to eliminate slum and blight. Priority is given to those areas in census tracts where the poverty rate is 35% and above. Estimated funding for this year is $12,205,000.
The Emergency Shelter GRANT Program (ESG). This program funds programs and projects that provide access to sage and sanitary shelter and necessary supportive services for homeless individuals. Estimated funding for this year is $433,000.
The Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids (HOPWA) project. This program funds activities to meet the housing related needs of persons with HIV infection or AIDS related diseases. The estimated funding for this year is $3,407,000.
The HOME Investment Partnership Program. The Bureau of Housing administers the HOME program This program is designed to 1) expand the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing with primary attention to rental housing for low-income families and 2) to strengthen the City’s ability to assist in the financing and development of low-income housing. Estimated funding for this year is $3,626,000.
The OHS also administers various social services programs that are funded through the funds from the City’s annual general fund allocation. See the project list at the end of this section for the allocations to individual programs.
Neighborhood Service Centers
The City of Atlanta operates three neighborhood centers that are primarily located in the south and southeast quadrants of the City. These centers are multi-purpose facilities that house public libraries and a variety of public and private agencies that provide services ranging from day care to youth and social services programs. The Department of Parks and Recreation currently administers the Neighborhood Service Centers. The DPR has an estimated budget of $21,128,240, in which a portion of these funds is used to operate and maintain the three neighborhood service centers.