 UCHRA Executive Summary
Phyllis
R. Bennett, Executive Director
"Commitment to Service" best defines the status of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency for Fiscal Year 2007-2008. The instability of federal funding coupled with the stability of state funding promotes dedication by the Agency to continue a level of service necessary to move people from dependance to independance. Everybody needs help; everybody can help. This philosophy best describes the attitude of the UCHRA staff as they work together as a team to improve the lives of more than 152 thousand people in the Upper Cumberland during 2007-2008. The following pages of this report reflect a real commitment to service.
• Assets are up from $13.6 million to $15.2 million
an 11% increase.
• Revenues increased from $25.8 million to $27.3 million, a 5.2% increase despite some federal cuts..
• Total resources and pending grants remain stable at $29 million, a 1.5% increase.
• The Finance Division reports no questioned costs and no findings in the Comptroller's audit for 2006.
The Division of Community Services reports a $1.1 million or 11% decrease in funding from $9.6 million to $8.4 million. This is reflected mostly in the federal projected cuts in LIHEAP in the amount of $1.2 million shown in the pending column of the annual report. The final budget figures have not been released from Washington. The Governor's amendments included $100 thousand for Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match, which will provide a match for $100 thousand additional federal dollars resulting in $200 thousand available to serve 42 additional people. The Governor's Heat Initiative provided 1,316 air conditioners distributed to needy residents in the 14-county area valued at $250 thousand. Other funding remains stable in this division.
Field Services/Nutrition Division reflects a 17% increase in funding for congregate and home delivered meals, Options, and Medicaid Waiver in-home services for a total of $1.4 million. Other funding remains stable.
Employment and Training Division reflects a 6% funding increase from $3.8 million to $4.4 million despite the loss of the Families First Program. The increase is reflected in the Adult, Youth, and Dislocated Worker Program. During the current program year, the division will be using the "Opinionmeter Customer Satisfaction Survey Process" in the 9 Career Centers. This will allow tamper-proof data collection, which will create an on-going, self-improvement process. This process can eventually be implemented for all Agency programs.
Career Centers have sreved 113,764 customers seeking jobs, qualified employees, or services in the state-of-the-art resource center and conference/meeting facility during the last fiscal year. This reflects a 37% increase up from 77,200 customers last year. In addition the region has seen several new and expanded businesses including te much welcomed Oreck Company whose goal is to employ 500 plus employees.
Transportation/Services Division reflects a 17% increase in funding from $6.1 million to $7.3 million with $4.9 million being operational funds. Capital funding of $1.4 million added 13 buses, 20 para-transit vans, 4 mini-vans, and 1 service truck. The award of an Information Technology (IT) capital grant in the amount of $1 million purchased dispatch scheduling software including GPS and on-board data units for 89 transportation vehicles. In conjunction with the Management Information Division this grant also added 32 computers with all necessary equipment for viewing dispatched vehicles. This highly technical system allows for scheduling, tracking, billing, and moment-by-moment monitoring of each vehicle by number and county. It also provides a complete list of passengers by location and destination.
Van Buren County Head Start and Cumberland Mountain School funding remain stable.
Funding for the Division of Community Intervention remains adequate for continued operations at the same level of service.
Residential Services reflect a 1% increase in funding to $1.5 million. A recent meeting with top management official at the Department of Children's Services revealed evaluation scores that places UCHRA's residential programs in the high category to receive expansion money for Chance Bloomington Springs and Indian Mound facilities during the next 18 months. Renovation of the Chance Bloomington Springs and Indian Mound Residential Centers has been completed. THe combined appraisals of the facilities after capital improvements total $970 thousand.
Lakeside Resort and Educational Complex projects a 24% increase in revenues from $804,726 to $1.1 million for 2007. Once again, educational classes have been funded by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development in the amount of $122 thousand to serve 39 students during this fiscal year.
The Management Information Services Division has increased the number of agency computers for a total of 426 with 66 being added to inventory this fiscal year. The value of the Agency's computers is $516 thousand.
The Cultural Arts Festival, "Laketoberfest", received funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission in the amount of $10,600. This festival provided an opportunity for 1,100 students, senior citizens, and local residents to enjoy a day of ballet, jazz, blues, brass and woodwind ensemble, poetry, story telling, and crafts.
Fourteen Advisory Boards continue to work to develop resources to meet the unmet needs in each county. Proceeds of a regional fundraiser netted $37 thousand to be distributed across the 14-county area for prioritized needs based on funds generated in each of the counties.
As the UCHRA begins a new fiscal year with a new commitment to service, we are appreciative for all the support received from the Board of Directors, the Policy Council, members of the General Assembly, the Congressional delegation, and the employees of the State, Federal, and Local governments. A special thank you to the Governor of the State of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen. Without his support and that of the Commissioners who work closely with him, the continued growth of the UCHRA would not be possible.
All blessings come from God the Father. We give Him thanks for enabling all of us to be servants and stewards of the bountiful resources He provides. To HIM be all the honor, glory, and praise.
-Phyllis R. Bennet, Executive Director |
