Project Grant 21SFHFL002

THE NAME OF THE LEGAL APPLICANT (SPONSOR ORGANIZATION: COUNCIL ON AGING OF WEST FLORIDA, INC.) A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE LEGAL APPLICANT'S ORGANIZATION AND ITS MISSION: THE COUNCIL ON AGING OF WEST FLORIDA, INC. (COAWFLA), IS A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT 501 (C) (3) ORGANIZATION INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IT WAS INCORPORATED ON FEBRUARY 4, 1972 BY A GROUP OF LOCAL ADVOCATES TO ADDRESS THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF AGING ADULTS IN THE WEST FLORIDA AREA. THE MISSION STATEMENT READS: DEDICATING EACH DAY TO SERVE, SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR AGING ADULTS IN ESCAMBIA AND SANTA ROSA COUNTIES. THE NUMBER OF FOSTER GRANDPARENT VSY'S REQUESTED: 68 THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT IS BEING REQUESTED: $324,381 THE SERVICE CATEGORIES THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS: TUTORING, MENTORING, LITERACY (ELEMENTARY AGE), KINDERGARTEN READINESS, PRE-ELEMENTARY CHILD DEVELOPMENT, NUTRITION, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. THE COMMUNITY NEEDS THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS: LITERACY, EARLY LEARNING, JOB ASSISTANCE-PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, ASSISTING MILITARY DEPENDENTS AND FAMILIES, SAFETY (DISASTER PREPAREDNESS), COMMUNITY EDUCATION (CULTURAL AWARENESS), ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS BUILDING AND EDUCATION. FOOD INSECURITY, TRANSPORTATION ACCESS, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, RACIAL AND EQUITY DISPARITIES. OPIOID AWARENESS, NUTRITION, ELDER JUSTICE, INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMING, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR'S CONTRIBUTIONS-EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY-BASED VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES. THE RESEARCH-BASED METHODS THE PROJECT WILL USE TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS: SURVEYS AND TEACHER OBSERVATION LOGS. THE PROJECT'S ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES: HELP PREPARE YOUNG CHILDREN WITH PRE-LITERACY SKILLS TO PROMOTE SCHOOL SUCCESS, IMPROVE READING SKILLS IN ELEMENTARY SETTINGS, HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES LEARN SKILLS TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT, ASSIST CHILDREN OF MILITARY PERSONNEL, SUPPORT FOSTER GRANDPARENTS IN TIMES REQUIRING EMERGENCY RESPONSES; PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES (DR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DAY OF SERVICE, AMERICORPS WEEK, 911 DAY OF SERVICE AND OLDER AMERICAN'S MONTH).