Okaloosa County BOCC — September 16, 2014 — LETF Request — reading text

Headquarters: 50 24 Street, Shalimar Florida 32579-1234 Phone: (850) 651-7410, Email: Sheriffi@sheriff-okaloosa.org August 29, 2014 Agenda Request: LETF Disbursement Request, September 16", 2014 To: Mr. Ernie Padget, County Administrator From: Inspector Sean T. Lynch, OCSO Re: Law Enforcement Trust Fund Request board consideration of trust fund disbursement in support of: 1. Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation Inc., $5000.00 Total Disbursement Request: $5,000.00 The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office is accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office provides equal access and equal opportunity in employment and services and does not discriminate” OKALOOSA COUNTY LETF APPLICATION PROGRAM INFORMATION Program Title: Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation Inc. Name/ Title of Contact: | Charles E. Schuster, Chairman, Children in Need Fund. Address: 110 Arrowpoint Cove Phone: 850-678-8576 City * Zip Code: Valparaiso FL 32580 Fax: 850-678-8576 Total Program Budget: | $55,000.00 E-maik ceschuster@vaip.net see New Renewal Amount Program is: v Requested: $5,000.00 If renewal, circle number of years this program has been funded thru LETF? 4 Year APPLICANT AGENCY INFORMATION Applicant Agency Legal Name: Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation Inc. Program Name: Guardian ad Litem Program Support Main Administrative Address:P, O. Box 2017 City & State: Santa Rosa Beach Zip Code: 32459 Telephone Number: 904-207-3179 Fax Number: 850-609-5469 Website: NWFGAL.org CEO/Executive Director: Felix L. Sambogna , President Office Phone Number: 904-207-3169 E-mail Address: sambogna1@cox.net Federal Identification Number: 90-0743523 LETF CATEGORY (Place an “X” to the left of one pi rogram area for which you Intend to Apply): 1. Crime Prevention 2. Drug Abuse Prevention/Education 3. Safe Neighborhood 4, School Resource Officer HOS 5. Other Law Enforcement Purpose (specify below) PROPOSED PROGRAM INFORMATION 1. Program Summary (1-3 sentences): Provide an overview of program services. The purposed use of the requested funds is to support the children and volunteers in the Guardian ad Litem Program of Okaloosa County. (See attached memo from Alan Abramowitz, Executive Director, Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program, June 23, 2014.) 2. Program Purpose (1-3 sentences): Please identify the services, target population and how many will be served while completing the following statement. The purpose of this program is... fo provide for the 440 abused and neglected children of Okaloosa County that are in the Guardian ad Litem program to include clothing, food, diapers, attendance at camps, participation in sporting events, scholastic field trips, after school activities, band instruments, and other special needs for the children. These funds will also be used to educate new volunteers and for the continued training of the169 active volunteers and provide for recognition and appreciation events. 3. Proposed use of LETF proceeds: Please identify the proposed use(s) of LETF proceeds and specify how it fulfills the statutorily authorized uses set forth in Section 932.7055, Florida Statutes. These proceeds shall not be utilized to meet normal operating needs of the applicant agency/organization. Most of the children in this program have been emotionally, physically, or sexually abused, or abandoned and have witnessed domestic violence and substance abuse. Their value system has been significantly degraded. Without intervention these children will likely follow their parents and abuse their spouses and children as well as drugs and alcohol. By providing needs that reflect the life style of a normal law abiding young person this program can significantly influence their value system at a time when it is in its most formative stage and preclude future criminal behavior. 4, Has your agency received funding frem LETF within the last three (3) years? (If yes, identify the source of that fonding, when it was received and the dollar amount that the agency has received). No. 5. Have you applied for funding for this program from any other entity or agency? (If yes, identify the source from which the funding was sought, the dollar amount requested from the source and provide the outcome of that application). CASA Grant for 2014-2015. Approved for $30,000.00. Wine Festival application for 2014. No specified amount (NSA). Not selected. Bingo parlor donations for 2014. NSA. Not selected. Walton County Juror compensation deferment. NSA. Approved. Walton County Sheriff Sale. $5,000.00. Approved for use in Walton County. Upon completing this application in its entirety, please read the following statement and affix your signature accordingly. I have read, fully understand and agree to be bound by Okaloosa County’s Operating Procedures for Law Enforcement Trust Fund and applicable state statutes. I have completed this application fully and accurately and have not misrepresented any information contained herein. I certify that the requested funds will be used for the purposes set forth in this application and in conformity with Florida law. I agree to submit proper supporting documentation within ninety (90) days of expending the LETF proceeds, which establishes that such proceeds were expended for the purposes they were approved and in conformity with Florida law. I further agree that should I fail to provide such documentation within the specified time period, I will be responsible for reimbursing Okaloosa County for the amounts received. August 25, 2014 Signature of Applicant Date of Application Charles E. Schuster Print Name of Applicant OFFICIAL USE ONLY I, Larry R. Ashley, do hereby certify that the aforementioned request for LETF proceeds is in compliance with Section 932.7055, Florida Statutes. y Sheriff Larry R. Ashley 4 Board of County Commissioners: Approved/Disapproved Date: Amount approved: $ Upon completing this application in its entirety, please read the fallowing stabement and affix your sigiatire accordinaly. T have real, folly understand and agree to be bowed by Ohalowm County's Operating Procedures tor Law Eaforcement Trust Fund and applicable state statutes. T have completed this application fully aml accurately and have uot misrepresented any information contained herein. I certify that the reqdested femas will be ased for the purposes set forth ip this application and fu confimmliy with Florida law, i agree to submit proger supportiog documentation within ninety (00) days of expending the LETP procecds, which establishes that such. progeeds were expended fur the pirieser they were approved and in conformity with Plorkda law, {further agree that should | teil to provide sack documentation | within the specified time periad, I will be responsible for relwburcing Qkaloose County for the aouiis mended, Charbnk Arbor. | August 25, 2014 Signature of Applicant Date of Application Gharles E. Schuster Print Monee ef Applicwast OPFICTAL USE DNLY J, Larey R. Ashley, de hardiy certliy dhat tle alerementboned request far LEYP preweeds is in centigiiance with Secthon 32.7055, Phoids Statutes, Shor¥ Larry &. Ashley Board of County Commissioners: Approved Dizapproved Tike Agieant eppemesd: $ INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE BP. GO. BOX 2508 CINCINNATI, OH 45201 Date: JU N 1 9 2012 NORTHWEST FLORIDA GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOUNDATION INC C/O ELIZABETH K DAVIS, CPA 251 MARY ESTHER BLVD., STE. 301 MARY ESTHER, Fl: 32569 Dear Applicant: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Employer Identification Number: 90-0743523 DIN: 201318060 Contact Person: MIKE M KERR Contact Telephone Number: (877) 829-S500 Accounting Period Ending: June 30 Public Charity Status: 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi) Form 990 Required: Yes Effective Date of Exemption: August 1, 2012 Contribution Deductibility: Yes Addendum Applies: No ID# 31611 We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to you are deductible under section 170 of the Code. You are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code. Because this letter could help resolve any questions regarding your exempt status, you should keep it in your permanent records. Organizations exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Code are further classified as either public charities or private foundations. We determined that you are a public charity under the Code section(s) listed in the heading of this letter. Please see enclosed Publication 4221-PC, Compliance Guide for 501(c) (3) Public Charities, for some helpful information about your responsibilities as an exempt organization. Letter 947 (DO/CG) 5 Oyen 7 ran TIPO Crit & Lae rates hey owas sone renner ee Cg Late de ae ee . an a . pos rn : ans vou fF . . v “na “ Circuit Directors and GAL supporters: Although the state provides funding for the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program, the allocated funding historically has not been enough to fully cover all of the Program's needs and has not included at all children’s normalcy projects and initiatives. Therefore, while we are extremely grateful for increased legislative support, if is important to realize that the non-profits throughout the state that are the fundraising arms for their local Guardian ad Litem Programs need fo continue to raise money to assure each circuit’s Guardian ad Litem Program is able to serve all children in the care of the state and improve the quality of representation. The non-profits that support the GAL Program are critical to meeting the needs of children who have been abused, neglected and abandoned and to improving their outcomes. The state’s budget does not provide the full funding needed to pay for programs such as outreach to the community to recruit more volunteers, programs to retain our current volunteer base, or emergency needs of the children assigned to the program; moreover, the legislative allocation does not include funding fer goods, services and programs purchased for the children to help bring normalcy to their lives. The role of the nonprofits is vital to assuring that all children in the dependency system have the assistance of the Guardian ad Litem Program. The dollars the non-profits raise will enhance their local program so the quality can be improved through training, enhanced support for the volunteers, and meeting children needs. As Judge Lederman said recently when recognized at the National CASA Conference this year, “[flor 20 years now | have watched Guardians save the lives of children. | have watched them teach children about dignity and humanity and the power of social responsibility.”. Thank you for your continued support because it directly impacts children’s lives. Respectfully, Alan Abramowitz Executive Director Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program 600 S. Calhoun Street The Holland Building, Suite 274 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Cell: 850.241.3232 Mission The Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation enhances the First Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem program of Okaloosa and Walton counties through support, education, and advocacy. 2 Support- The Foundation provides for basic needs such as diapers, clothing and food. It is important that a child’s basic needs are met but providing support above and beyond basic needs can make all the difference in the world to a child who can begin to experience a quality of life most of us take for granted. The Foundation supports children with attendance at camps, sporting event, after school activities, band instruments, and many other special needs which the children would otherwise go without. Without this foundation it would not be possible for our program to provide this support for the children.