Welcome to the recap of the Allocation Committee meeting on Feb. 21, 2023.

Policy change proposal for foster care grants

Bottom right: Bryn Council from Janus Insights Young Parent program speaks to the Allocation Committee about a proposed change to participant eligibility for services in PCL’s foster care grants.

Under current policies, any current or former foster care child is eligible to be served in PCL-funded programs supporting youth in foster care. Based on feedback from foster care grantee partners and staff from the Oregon Department of Human Services-Child Welfare (ODHS), the proposed change would allow programs to also serve children and families with ODHS involvement where children are not in substitute care.

Many thanks to the following guests and organizations for taking the time to share their thoughts on the proposal:

  • Bryn Council, Janus Insights Young Parent program
  • Jennifer McGowan, Youth, Rights & Justice
  • Jessica Rivoli, Oregon Department of Human Services-Child Welfare

Allocation Committee members asked for more information and will revisit the proposal at the next meeting on April 18.

Large grant renewal process, timeline

Current 3-year, large grants end June 30, 2023. Current grantee partners who wish to continue providing the same or similar services are eligible for a 2-year grant renewal. 

Based on an updated revenue forecast in late January, PCL expects sufficient revenues for 2-year grant renewals at a similar level of funding as well as cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for grantee partners.

In most cases, staff will recommend a 2-year renewal grant amount using the following formula: 40% of 2020-2023 (3-year) grant plus 4% compounded COLA.  In some cases, staff may recommend less funding due to significant and persistent underspending and/or significant performance issues.

Staff are in the process of reviewing and analyzing mid-year data, mid-year reports and meeting with grantee partners. Staff will share renewal recommendations with grantee partners by March 31. Grantee partners will have time to respond in writing to staff recommendations. PCL staff will provide recommendations and grantee responses to the Allocation Committee in advance of their decisions on renewal grants at their April 18, 2023 meeting. 

Funding for the second year of the 2-year grant renewals depends on voter renewal of the levy before the current levy ends June 30, 2024.

Annual performance data 2021-22

Bottom right: Commissioner Dan Ryan, chair of the PCL Allocation Committee, speaks about the impact of the pandemic on the annual performance data for 2021-22.

Staff presented performance data summarizing results of grantees’ work during fiscal year 2021-22, including the number and demographics of people served, service level, participation and program outcomes.

View the performance data slide deck and the appendix for more detail.

Community Council update

The first Community Council meeting was held Feb. 10 at New Song Community Center, with 10 of the 12 members attending in person. After a warm welcome from Commissioner Ryan, council members got to know each other and their common bonds, develop group agreements and learn more about the levy.

The next Community Council meeting will be March 15, with additional meetings in May, September and November. Future meetings will focus on learning about and shaping PCL’s community engagement process and learning about past funding processes. The council will develop questions and advise on methods to inform community engagement plans and recommendations for Allocation Committee consideration.

Miss Tuesday’s meeting?

Watch it on YouTube or on CityNet Xfinity Channel 30 and 330 (HD) Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. or Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. You can also view the slide deck for the policy change proposal for foster care grants and the large grant renewal process and timeline.

Join us for the next Allocation Committee meeting

Our next meeting will be 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Agendas will be sent to our email list, shared on our social media channels and posted on portlandchildrenslevy.org

We welcome your comment on agenda items or the work of the Portland Children’s Levy. If you would like to join the next meeting to participate, please join our email list stay tuned for the meeting invite.