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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-133-08/18/1992-HUMAN SERVICES POLICY SOCIAL SERVICES RESOLUTION 92 - 133 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS ADOPTING A HUMAN SERVICES POLICY WHEREAS, City Council has adopted a goal to strengthen the community commitment to human services; and WHEREAS, in furtherance of that goal , City Council wishes to adopt a comprehensive policy statement to define the City's role and responsibilities with respect to human and social services in the City; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins desires to continue its development as a city where all of the people of the community can live in a safe and healthy environment; and WHEREAS, a safe and healthy environment includes the provision of essential and diverse public services to safeguard the community' s human resources; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins considers meeting the basic human needs of families and individual citizens as part of its purpose. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the Human Services Policy, dated August 1992, and attached hereto as Attachment "A, " is hereby adopted as the human services policy of the City of Fort Collins. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins held this 18th day of August, A.D. 1992. a or ATTEST: oAla� City Clerk City of Fort Collins Attachment A Human Services Policy August 1992 I. Policy The following is the City of Fort Collins' general policy related to the provision of human services within the community. The City of Fort Collins desires to continue its development as a city where all of the people of the community will have an opportunity to live in a safe and healthy environment. This environment includes the provision of essential and diverse public services to safeguard the community's human resources. The City of Fort Collins considers meeting the basic human needs of families and individual citizens as part of its purpose and therefore declares, as a matter of policy, that is does have an appropriate role in the provision of human services to the citizens of Fort Collins. The City will undertake appropriate and feasible actions to safeguard the community's human resources by identifying and supporting those human services that confer a direct benefit of reasonably general character upon a significant segment of the City's population. II. Findings Citizens look to the City to participate in problem solving when pressing human concerns affect the community. Citizens and City Council have observed the following: 1) more demand being placed upon public and private human service providers; 2) a need for additional funding for human service providers; 3) a lack of awareness of the services currently available; 4) a desire to strengthen joint problem solving efforts; 5) a change in the composition of the family in Fort Collins; 6) a desire to focus on prevention versus intervention; and 7) a perception that there is administrative duplication among human service agencies. III. Definition of Human Services The following provides a working definition as to what is considered to be human services. Providers of human services assist individuals and families in meeting their basic human needs. Basic human needs include the following: food, clothing, shelter, Human Services Policy August 1992 Page 2 transportation, physical and mental health, information/education, crisis/social support, employment/income, dependent care and recreation. IV. Specific Policies In addition to the general policy statement, the following statements provide further specific policy guidance for the City related to the provision of human services in the community. A. City programs and services that relate to human services will correlate with the needs of the community. 1. The City will use census data and human service needs assessment information when reviewing programs and services. 2. The City will develop measurement criteria to determine the effectiveness of this policy, provide periodic reporting and recommend changes as necessary. B. The City will assist in meeting the human service needs of the community. 1. If the City procures human services it will do so in accordance with the purchasing provisions of the City Code and pursuant to written contracts for services which enable the City to exercise control over the manner in which City funds are expended, so that the City receives an identifiable return for its expenditure. 2. The City will assist citizens in gaining access to and information about human service providers in the community. 3. The City will periodically evaluate its in-house human services programs and determine how to make them more effective. 4. The City will examine City services and determine opportunities to strengthen these services with respect to the human service needs of the community. 5. The City will help to reduce the demand for resources by public and private human service providers by focusing City efforts on prevention versus intervention and promoting physically and emotionally healthy families. 6. The City will use City assets (property and facilities), when feasible and appropriate, to meet the demand for resources by human service providers. 7. The City will continue to rely upon the diversity of knowledge and expertise Human Services Policy August 1992 Page 3 encompassed by the City's boards and commissions for guidance with respect to meeting human service needs in the community. 8. The City will use its regulatory abilities to provide a safe and healthy environment for the people of the community. 9. The City will facilitate a citizens ability to help themselves or access help from others by responding to the transportation needs of the community. 10. The City will incorporate human service needs when the City does facilities planning. C. The City will maintain and foster relationships with other human service providers. 1. The City will work to strengthen joint agency and government efforts at problem- solving by participating in regional problem-solving efforts and with advisory boards and commissions. 2. The City supports the elimination of duplicate administrative overhead between human service providers so more funds can be used to provide direct client services. 3. The City will support connections and relationships within neighborhoods, voluntary organizations and other institutions. 4. The City will examine the distribution of community tax dollars by other governmental entities to assure that the needs of the citizens of Fort Collins are being equitably met.