An

nu

al Rep

ort

Your link to a quality life in Alachua County

Department of

Community Support Services

Administrationfrom the directorFrom the Director

Elmira K. Warren Director, Department of Community Support

O ur Annual Report is a testament to what has happened over the past year. However, departmental staff realize that we owe our successes in part to previous employees that have laid the foundation.

Consequently we embrace our past as we focus on our future.

In the 1970s, our department’s name was Social Services and we were responsible for the federally funded Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Program (CETA), the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), Veteran Services, the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Social Services, and the Crisis Center.

During the 1980s, we wrote a grant for an Indo-Chinese Refugee Assistance Program that started and ended in the 1980s. Later that decade the

department was divided into two departments: Volunteer Services, and Human Services. The programs within Volunteer Services during that time were RSVP and the Crisis Center. The Rape and Crime Victim Advocacy Program was a part of the Crisis Center. Human Services was responsible for Social Services, Veteran Services and FGP.

In the early 1990s, the department’s name was changed to Community Services and the Cooperative Extension was placed within the department. In 1993, the Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center became a division. That same year, Partners for a Productive Community was placed in the department as a special Board Initiative. In 1997, a new division was formed and named Senior Services with the FGP and RSVP becoming programs under that division.

Beginning in the year 2000, the department adopted the name the Department of Community Support Services and became the birth place of two new innovative programs: The Poverty Reduction Program and the Community Health Offering Innovative Care and Educational Services (CHOICES) Program. Also during this time, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) established the Community Agency Partnership Program (CAPP) to be responsible for the County’s competitive funding process for non-profit agencies seeking to reduce the impact of poverty upon the community.

Our vision for the future is: To be recognized as a community partner and leader in program innovation by providing unparalleled access to premier health and human services, which support the sustainable well-being of all citizens. Our Annual Report highlights the accomplishments and services provided by the ten divisions within the Department of Community Support during Fiscal Year 2009.

In closing, I would like to thank the staff within the Department of Community Support Services for having their best year yet. Annually, the bar is raised and we serve more, commit more, and accomplish more than we have in the previous year.

Embracing Our Past, Focusing on Our Future

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department overviewDepartment Overview

• $1,040,721 contributed to the Alachua County Health Department for a variety of medical services for residents.

• $883,956 contributed to Meridian Behavioral Health Care to assist citizens in need of mental health and drug abuse services

• $1,460,193 paid to the State of Florida as part of the Medicaid Match Program

• $55 paid monthly for Medicaid eligible Alachua County nursing home residents

• $727,600 paid to Medical Examiner for autopsy services

contributionsContributions

Administration

Community Support Services• 69 Employees• 1,286 Volunteers

Volunteer Hours• 256,854

Economic Value of Volunteer Time• $4,464,123At the Independent Sector national rate of $17.38 per hour

Service Events Provided• 413,494 service events provided to residents Contacts• 436,247 Community Interactions

fiscal integrityFiscal Integrity

Department Director

Cooperative Extension

CHOICES

Crisis Center

Social Services

Veteran Services

Victim Services

Partnerships

FGP

RSVP

CAPP

Poverty Reduction

PPC

Senior Services

Health & Human Services

Gas Tax$190,100

Grants$1,144,346

Donations $20,000

Ad Valorem Tax $10,182,814

Indigent Healthcare Surtax $9,822,273

2009 Adopted Operating Budget2009 Adopted Operating BudgetNumber of Individual Citizens Served by Zip Code

1-19

20-79

80-299

300-599

600-900

Range based on clients served

High Springs

32643(214) 32615

(454)

LaCrosse32622

Alachua

32653(296)

Gainesville

32609(887)

Waldo

32694(64)

32694(10)

3266632606(316)

32669(210)

Newberry

Archer

32618(202)

32607(837)

32605(461)

32608(899)

32667(79)

32640(163)

Hawthrone

Micanopy

32641(856)32601

(797)32611(797)

32603(42)

Every year Community Support Services fiscal staff carefully investigates each State mandated Medicaid bill. The purpose is to be sure that all bills received are for Alachua County residents only. Because of the regional nature of our community’s medical facilities, each year millions of dollars are billed incorrectly. In FY 09, $7,602,985 in billing errors were discovered and corrected.

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Cooperative Extension

The Alachua County Cooperative Extension Office is a partnership between the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, University of Florida/IFAS, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The Cooperative Extension conducts research-based educational programs in 4-H youth development, production agriculture, environmental horticulture, natural resources, and family and consumer sciences.

Impacts

success storiesSuccess stories

Master Gardeners Participate in School Gardens

School gardens can get off to a late start in Spring and 2009 was no exception. At the gardens at Glen Springs Elementary the plants were in the ground, but not growing as quickly as students had hoped. Finally, by May the veggies were producing and the students were bringing home bags of vegetables to share with their family and to eat in the classroom.

Mid June arrived and summer break found the garden peaking in production, but no students were there to enjoy and learn from the produce. The Master Gardeners who volunteer at the garden could not see the vegetables going to waste so they brought the crop to the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank. Over the summer, they donated more than 75 pounds of vegetables to the hungry. When the students returned in the fall, they were amazed at how much their little plot had produced and the good that came from it.

• 117,134 total contacts• 48% of Alachua County population served • 277,935 website visits• 330 volunteers contributed 20,519 volunteer hours• 95% of clients felt they received accurate and

professional advice

• 93% of clients reported overall satisfaction with the services received

• 89 exams administered for Pesticide Use Certification and Best Management Practices

cooperative extensionCooperative Extension

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Health & Human Services

CHOICES is a health services program offered by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners. The program is designed to help working uninsured County residents stay healthy. Through partnerships with local physicians, CHOICES provides access to services that many working residents need but may put off due to lack of adequate health coverage.

Additionally, the CHOICES Health Education and Wellness Program was designed to address the most common preventable chronic diseases affecting Alachua County residents. The program utilizes evidence based and best practice approaches for health promotion and disease prevention. CHOICES Health Education and Wellness focuses on changing three key behaviors: (1) increasing physical activity; (2) improving dietary intake; (3) eliminating tobacco use. The program is available free of charge to all Alachua County residents.

Impacts EnrollmentCHOICES enrollment continues to increase.Each year, enrollment increases by 60-70%. Last fiscal year, CHOICES exceeded the enrollment goal of 2500, by extending membership to 2671 residents.

“Before joining CHOICES last year, I was a person with heart disease and no health insurance at all. That was a frightening and depressing situation. This year, on the CHOICES Program, I have felt more comfortable and secure. I have been able to see a heart specialist as well as having an expensive heart medicine covered by the program.”

“ I thank you all at CHOICES for helping so many low-paid workers here in Gainesville.” - John Berger

CHOICES Enrollment

Aggregate Enrollment: 3,727since inception

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

455

1,141

1,826

2,671

FY 05-06 FY 06-07 FY 07-08 FY 08-090

john wrote...John, a CHOICES member, wrote:

choicesCHOICES

• $3,849,625 provided in medical care, prescription assistance and disease management services to members

• $697,953 provided in dental services to CHOICES members

• 22,616 prescriptions filled• 374 exercise classes held at 12 locations

throughout the County• 98 participants completed the Smoking Cessation

Program and were referred for free nicotine replacement therapy

• $10,000 contributed to the University of Florida’s Equal Access Clinic, a volunteer clinic in which medical students provide free medical care to Alachua County residents. Last year, the clinic served more than 1000 residents

• $10,000 contributed to the Helping Hands Clinic which gives free health care to the poor and homeless in Gainesville. Last year, the clinic provided medical care and prescription assistance to more than 399 residents

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The Crisis Center is a 24/7 nationally recognized suicide prevention center, committed to offering counseling to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or those who have been touched by the suicide of another. Counselors also provide telephone and face-to-face counseling sessions for individuals, couples, and families who are in need of support and/or crisis intervention. In addition, emergency outreach teams, called “Care Teams,” offer mobile crisis intervention to anyone who may be experiencing a traumatic event in their lives.

• 130 volunteers• 40,850 volunteer hours• 56,656 phone calls received • 4,472 new clients • 2,506 face-to-face counseling sessions

Impacts

• 121 professional workshops, presentations, and trainings offered to community

• 4,165 citizens attended educational trainings and workshops

• 97% of clients expressed satisfaction with services received

Survivors of Suicide Memory GardenThe Crisis Center is excited to see progress on the Survivors of Suicide Memory Garden at Cofrin Nature Park, which is located at 4810 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL. This garden will provide comfort and solace to those who have lost a loved one to suicide. The Crisis Center, Friends of the Crisis Center and local Survivors have been working with the City of Gainesville to begin implementing plans and fundraising for the Memory Garden.

Health & Human Servicescrisis center

Crisis Center

Connections through Counseling A man came into the Crisis Center as an emergency walk-in. He couldn’t give any specific reasons for coming in but knew that he felt overwhelmed and believed that he might harm himself if things in his life continued in the same way. He told the counselor how he went from owning his own business to not being able to function through basic, day-to-day activities as a result of an accident that left him mentally disabled and homeless. As he talked about his misfortune and recent struggle to make ends meet on his own, he spoke about his positive attitude: he always tries to see the best in others and keep a bright outlook on life. After he spoke for awhile, he told the counselor that he felt much better and that he could make it through another day. He expressed relief to know that he could come in or call the hotline any time he needed support and a connection.

success storiesSuccess stories

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Healthcare Services• 696 residents participated in Prescription

Assistance Program • 8,500 prescriptions were filled at a value of

$339,832 • $374,867 saved by citizens using the Alachua

County/NACO Prescription Drug Discount Card

• 180 Vision and Hearing Exams provided to residents

• 360 residents received access to primary care physicians through AlachuaCares

• 38 residents received assistance for specialty diagnostic testing and lab work

Health & Human Servicessocial servicesSocial Services

General Services• 27 residents received Animal Services fee waivers

allowing their pets to be returned• 101 relatives of deceased residents received burial

or cremation assistance• 80 rural citizens received Solid Waste waivers for

garbage collection• 139 eligible residents received transportation

assistance for medical and/or work related reasons• 596 residents received Utility Assistance to prevent

the loss or interruption of utility services• 564 residents received Rental Assistance to prevent

eviction and the instance of homelessness• 51 residents received Mortgage Assistance

to prevent foreclosure and the instance of homelessness

• 38 residents received access to affordable housing or were able to initiate utility services through SHIP Security Deposits

The Division of Social Services serves as a safety net to enhance the health and productivity of eligible low-in-come residents of Alachua County by providing access to health services, short term financial help, information and referrals to outside agencies and other general assistance.

Impacts

Last year, Social Services helped a financially strapped single mother who was seriously behind in both her rent and utilities. She was a woman who had recently lost her job and was awaiting unemployment benefits; a proud woman who did not want to ask for “handouts”. We had become aware of her through a referral from the Crisis Center after her brother had recently murdered his entire family and then committed suicide. She was in a deep depression and was having difficulty talking with anyone about her feelings. Her daughter also informed us that the woman had no heat or air conditioning in her home and that her mother suffered from breathing problems which were exacerbated by lack of air movement.

We were able to provide her assistance with rent and advocate on her behalf to receive utility assistance from another local agency. We were also able to purchase a brand new heater/air conditioner for her home from Lowe’s out of our Urgent Special Needs funds. When we met her at Lowe’s to select and purchase the unit, tears were streaming down her face. She was so wrought with emotion that she hugged and thanked us profusely. Her daughter called us a few weeks later to inform us that the woman had received her utility assistance and began receiving unemployment compensation checks. She had also finally decided to receive counseling at the Crisis Center to cope with the death of her family members.

success storiesSuccess stories

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• In early September 2009, local resident Wayne Vincent was killed in action while serving with the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan. Office staff assisted with dedicating the street leading up to Ft. Clarke Middle School in his honor. Members of the BoCC, School Board and local veteran organizations as well as active duty troops attended this dedication.

• Jim Lynch, Director of Veteran Services, and Bob Gasche, a WW II veteran and local veterans advocate, worked together to produce a 32-page color booklet listing every known county veterans memorial. It took several years of research to locate and photograph each of the 50 known memorials located throughout Alachua County. This endeavor ensures these memorials are not forgotten and encourages citizens to visit each of them. This successful project was a collaboration of resources from the City of Gainesville and Alachua County, with printing expenses paid for by the Alachua County Tourist Development Tax.

REMEMBER

Veterans Memorialsin Alachua County

success storiesSuccess stories

Health & Human Servicesveteran servicesVeteran ServicesThe Division of Veteran Services assists veterans and dependents in applying for all benefits earned through honorable military service. Our counselors have a compassionate understanding of the problems faced by returning veterans and will apply specialized knowledge to help secure all entitled benefits. In addition our office coordinates with members of the veteran community to organize annual patriotic events to ensure that the sacrifices made by veterans are not forgotten and to show appreciation for their military service. Impacts

• 1,519 face-to-face counseling sessions• 78 in-home counseling sessions• $20,000 raised for the veteran community through

participation in Bikers on Parade for the USA• County veteran community dedicated a Veterans

Memorial on the University of Florida campus • During Veterans Day week, staff from the Office

of Veteran Services gave patriotic presentations to hundreds of local school children and collected cards and drawings to send to our troops serving overseas

• Office of Veteran services coordinated the annual community Memorial Day ceremony which honored women pilots who served during WWII. In appreciation of their service, four WWII airplanes flew over the crowd estimated at 400

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Health & Human Servicesvictim services & rape crisis centerVictim Services & Rape Crisis CenterVictim Services & Rape Crisis Center provides 24/7 free and confidential services to all victims of violent crime with an emphasis on empowerment and helping victims become survivors. A continuum of comprehensive services is provided with compassion and respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy.

• 1,315 victims of personal injury served• 260 victims of sexual violence served• 1,078 victims accompanied in court• 1,204 case status updates• 2,300 counseling sessions

The Long Road: Images and Words by Survivors of Sexual Violence

This Anthology originated as a product of a Survivors of Rape Trauma Support Group that focused on writing as an exploratory and healing tool. Throughout the 10 week group, members completed various writing exercises then selected the pieces that conveyed what they wanted, or in some cases needed, to share with others. As a result, the anthology provided survivors a safe space to voice their experiences and reach out to other survivors who feel as if they are alone.

Healing through Horses

Through the use of Rape Crisis Program Trust Funds, Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center partnered with HorseMpower and HOPE - to offer a free equine-facilitated psychotherapy workshop for survivors of sexual violence. The workshop used human-horse interactions and activities to work through victimization issues. The sessions were conducted by Dr. Marilyn Sokolof, Licensed Psychologist and Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and Memree Stuart, Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

Also, Victim Services provided 200 free Sexual Assault Care Kits to victims. Each Care Kit contained various clothing and personal hygiene products specifically selected to immediately diminish feelings of embarrassment, humiliation and shame.

I actually have people that care about me as a person. That I am a good person and can feel happy. Victim Services has helped so many living life in guilt and shame

Impacts

success storiesSuccess stories

”

“

- From Healing Through Acupuncture Support Group member

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The Community Agency Partnership Program (CAPP) provides competitive grant funding to non-profit 501(c)(3) agencies that focus on reducing poverty for low-income residents of Alachua County.

In 2009, CAPP contributed $890,006 to 19 partner agencies which helped to fund 24 poverty reduction programs. As a result, these programs helped to serve more than 50,000 qualifying low-income residents.

Agency Funding

$125,000$123,960

$101,671$75,000

$71,875$48,750

$45,000$41,837

$37,500$37,500

$30,000$28,546

$26,625$25,000

$20,331$17,831

$15,000$10,000

$8,580

ACORN ClinicElderCare

Peaceful PathsEarly Learning Coalition

Dignity ProjectGainesville Harvest

Bread of the Mighty Food BankThree Rivers Legal Services

Gainesville Opportunity CenterBlack on Black Crime Task Force

Interfaith HospitalityEaster Seals

Helping Hands ClinicChild Advocacy Center

Children’s Home SocietyPlanned ParenthoodEpilepsy Foundation

Friends of the Micanopy LibraryChrysalis

CAPPAlachua County,

FloridaAlachua County,

Florida

Supported inpart by:

Community AgencyPartnership Program

Partnershipscommunity agency partnership program

Community Agency Partnership Program

Feedback from Funded Agencies

As a result of enrollment in the Easter Seals’ Altrusa House Day Program, an elderly client’s hospitalizations were reduced by half and he regained a good deal of his social skills that had been lost due to lack of interaction with others. Mr. R’s enrollment in the Altrusa House program was paid for entirely with CAPP funds.

feedbackFeedback

“Rainbow,” a miniature horse of Gentle Carousel,

brings cheer to the members of the Altrusa House.

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feedback

CAPP Impacts

A survey of both Home-Delivered and Congregate meal clients of Elder Care’s Older Americans Act program revealed that over 98% in each group believed that their overall health was improved as a direct result of receiving the meals, and that the meals help make it possible for them to remain independent and in their homes.

As a result of regular mammograms received through Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs Medical Program, a patient enrolled in the Women’s Health Clinic was able to survive breast cancer due to early detection and treatment. Mrs. T. credits ACORN Clinic with saving her life.

feedbackFeedback

Partnerships

School Readiness children attending a Museum Day at the Florida

Museum of Natural History

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Health Care• 2,274 low-income residents received medical and

dental care services

Food & Elderly/Impaired Services• 3,000,000 pounds of food distributed to over

40,000 residents in need • 61,732 meals served through various meal sites • 114 individuals served in therapeutic day programs• 2,569 hours of in-home assistance provided to

seniors

Employment/Job Training • 333 low-income persons received job training or

the benefits (free vehicle or computer) thereof • 69 vehicles repaired and donated to Welfare-to-

Work participants• 114 computers repaired and donated to low-

income families and non-profits that serve needy residents

• 47 personal computers repaired free of charge for low-income residents reliant on a computer for educational or employment purposes

Shelters/Housing/Supportive Living• 9,680 nights of shelter provided to homeless

individuals and families• 232 low-income households received utility

assistance• 11,427 meals provided to families housed in shelter

facilities• 182 low-income residents received legal assistance

with housing issues

Children & Families• 1,324 children enrolled in school-readiness day

care for working parents • 121 families served through supervised visitation

center• 197 at-risk students served in after-school programs

partners for a productive communityPartners for a Productive Community (PPC) aims to reduce the impact of poverty through community revitalization, prevention and intervention programs, and by addressing education and economic concerns of residents in at-risk communities.

ImpactsFocusing on our youth• The “Fun Under the Sun” Summer Day Camp

Program provided 43 youth in Southwest and East Gainesville with six weeks of recreational and educational activities. Free lunches and snacks were provided, and some activities included field trips, games and team sports, a reading club, movie days, and arts and crafts

• The 4-H After-School Program provided prevention and intervention activities for 46 youth in Southwest Gainesville and 25 youth in East Gainesville. Through this education-based program focusing on the arts, tutoring and mentoring, youth have the opportunity to learn social skills, life skills, and improve their academic skills

Helping Those in Need• 80 Thanksgiving baskets containing a fresh turkey

and canned goods were distributed to residents of Cedar Ridge and Lincoln Park, allowing these families to celebrate with a bountiful holiday meal

• 100 winter holiday gift and fruit bags were distributed to Cedar Ridge and Lincoln Park residents

• 43 children from Southwest and East Gainesville received a backpack filled with necessary school supplies

Investing in Targeted At-Risk Communities:• $52,097 worth of donations, in-kind services, and

volunteer hours were reinvested in community revitalization for Southwest and East Gainesville communities. These efforts were an attempt to reduce the impact of poverty while providing needy residents with services such as free meals by UF Campus Kitchens, and food distribution by The Rock of Gainesville

• $40,403 in non-ad valorem tax dollars were invested in the Preservation and Enhancement District for Southwest Gainesville communities

• $32,400 of these funds were used for a lawn maintenance contract to sustain neighborhood beautification in the Linton Oaks and Holly Heights/Cedar Ridge communities, providing residents with bi-weekly mowing and litter pickup

• Over $7,000 were spent on rent and utilities in order to maintain an operational site for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Holly Heights Substation. This community-based site offered programmatic activities such as the 4-H Afterschool Program, weekly Girl Scout meetings, Community Council meetings and Neighborhood Watch Committee meetings

Partners for a Productive Community

Partnerships

Volunteers share the joy of reading at the community back to school “JAM”

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Partnerships

Alachua County’s Poverty Reduction Program (PRP) works to improve current systems for assisting residents with homelessness, hunger and food security, and community development by focusing on sharing information, collaborating with other agencies to improve their impacts, and facilitating resource sharing among agencies.

• The Alachua County-City of Gainesville Hunger Summit II was held on June 3, 2009, with co-sponsors Alachua County Medical Society, The School Board of Alachua County, Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the United Way of North Central Florida. Six committees representing state and local governments, local non-profit and faith-based agencies, local citizens receiving nutrition assistance, and the general public presented the Hunger Abatement Plan to address the hunger issues that our citizens face

• During the Annual Homeless Breakfast on the Plaza event on September 17, 2009, PRP worked in collaboration with the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry and other agencies to distribute 560 meals, 88 picture ID’s, 51 flu shots and vast amounts of bottled water, clothing and other goods to homeless citizens

• The Homeless Veteran Stand-Down, held on December 12 and 13, 2008, was funded in part by 1 of only 45 nationwide grants from the US Department of Labor for Homeless Veterans Stand Down events. There were 178 attendees which represented a 20% increase from last year. At the event, an additional $10,000 in Department of Defense surplus goods (sleeping bags, boots, and blankets) were distributed by over 100 volunteer citizens. Medical, dental, employment, housing, and numerous other services were provided at the event. Grant funds were used to provide 200 backpacks filled with canned goods and survival supplies like flashlights, batteries, and first aid items. The event was also able to offer assistance with personal identification and drivers licenses

The Poverty Reduction Advisory Board questioned the ability of local citizens to seek assistance with food stamp benefits (now known as SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) at DCF ACCESS Service Centers and via the ACCESS Call Center in Jacksonville. As a result, DCF volunteered to provide a site and access to trained staff and through funding from the Board of County Commissioners, the Food Stamp Hotline began. It provides Alachua County residents with an alternative to some of the challenges that residents encounter when using the statewide call center system. The hotline helps callers obtain an application and find nearby locations where they can apply for SNAP benefits. Callers were given answers to simple case specific questions and most importantly, encouragement and support from a real person.

Impacts

poverty reduction programPoverty Reduction Program

success storiesSuccess stories

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Partnershipssenior servicesSenior Services

foster grandparent program

“Success by Six” book drive

As part of President Obama’s “United We Serve” summer initiative, the Division of Senior Services participated in a children’s book drive to benefit participants in the United Way’s Success by Six initiative. From July 25 through August 8, 2009, 533 books and eight book storage crates were collected at Books-a-Million, North Florida Regional Medical Center, Exactech, and several Alachua County divisions. The books collected were used to create home libraries for children ages birth to six as well as distributed to selected child care centers in Gainesville’s 32609 zip code area. As part of this drive, ten foster grandparents read to children at Books-a-Million for the Rock-n-Read on August 1st.

Senior Services is made up of two nationally recognized volunteer programs, the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. Both programs encourage and engage senior citizens to help address critical needs of the community through volunteerism.

• 126 Foster Grandparents provided 87,325 volunteer hours in 26 local schools, 25 child care centers, and 3 after-school programs

• 192 special needs students were assigned Foster Grandparents

• 4,433 meals were provided to volunteers along with $231,358 in non-taxable stipend pay

• 10 free physical examinations were administered to volunteers

• The Foster Grandparent Program semi-annual progress report revealed the following about elementary school students served by foster grandparents

- 91% showed improved behavior - 92% showed improved math skills - 97% showed improved reading skills

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) invites low income residents age 55 and older to mentor children with special needs in schools, child care centers, and after-school programs. Volunteers receive an hourly stipend of $2.65 and serve 15 to 40 hours per week.

Impacts

success storiesSuccess stories

Foster Grandparent Program

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696 8403,306 3,761 4,415

7,650 7,892

12,700 12,703

42,161

Partnershipsretired & senior volunteer programRetired & Senior Volunteer ProgramThe Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) invites residents ages 55 and over to use their unique life experiences and skills by volunteering with local community partners. These partnerships are comprised of government, non-profit, and proprietary health care agencies.

• 683 volunteers • 1,681 art and culture events offered to the public• 114 educational events were held to raise environmental

awareness and support• 90,480 nutritious meals served to seniors via congregate sites

and home deliveries• 5,585 individuals and families received health education and

support • 9 homes were built for low-income families in need of

adequate housing • 58,302 meals were served to homeless and hungry residents • 13,083 nights spent assisting homeless individuals in

temporary shelters

Impacts

I think this is a wonderful program; it helps so many different people. I am proud to be a part of this organization

- RSVP volunteer

RSVP Hours Served by Station

”

“

SHINE

Through a collaborative partnership with S.H.I.N.E. (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Community Support Services has provided an outlet for SHINE volunteers to offer one-on-one counseling and information services to seniors facing Medicare issues. As a result, 104 local seniors received free and unbiased health care advice.

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Cooperative Extension2800 NE 39th Avenue

Gainesville, FL 32609-2658

Tel (352) 955-2402TDD (352) 955-2406 Fax (352) 334-0122

http://alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/

218 SE 24th StreetGainesville, Florida 32641-7516

Tel: (352) 264-6700TDD: (352) 955-2449Fax: (352) 264-6703cso@alachuacounty.uswww.alachuacounty.us/css

Produced by Alachua County Manager Randall H. Reid’s Communications Office under the direction of Mark Sexton, Communications Coordinator.

Designed and produced by Takumi Sullivan, Alachua County Graphic Designer. Edited by Bret Bostock, Alachua County Public Information Specialist.

Special thanks to the Community Support Services Public Relations Team: Brent Waible, Kristen Cimiluca, Kelley Garner and Ragan Nobles.