Thursday, May 2, 2024
5/2/2024
Orlando Health has been serving the Central Florida community for 100 years. With a mission to improve the health and quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve, our organization has established robust connections to the community through not only our healthcare services, but also firmly established community outreach programs for at-risk families and partnerships with a variety of agencies serving the same population. The goal of Project SCOREs: Supporting Children’s Outcomes and Restoring Economic Security is to prevent exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among children in communities at highest risk through outreach and education efforts on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). By building upon the existing capacity in Central Florida for EITC outreach, and community education on ACEs, Project SCOREs will increase family resources, reduce poverty, promote protective factors and reduce risk factors for exposure to ACEs. Orlando Health will serve as the convener for the EITC Partner Network, which will be formed to increase awareness of EITC, ACEs and the potential buffering effects of income support for children at risk of ACEs. Heart of Florida United Way will be a key partner in this effort as they lend their knowledge and experience with EITC outreach and education, as well as managing the largest network of VITA programs in the tri-county area of Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Additional partners participating in the implementation and evaluation of the project include non-profit organizations and agencies that are deeply embedded in the targeted communities: free and charitable clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, childcare resource and referral provider, faith-based organizations, and a large public university. Partners will leverage their connections to the community – and other organizations – to increase EITC claims and EITC receipt among at-risk families. Outcomes to be assessed for statistically significant impacts are: (1) household income; (2) financial stability; (3) parental stress; and (4) parental health. Our aim is to reach at least 50,000 households by Year 3 through outreach and education that is managed by HFUW and delivered in partnership with the organizations forming the EITC Partner Network. Given the current economic climate in Central Florida, which has experienced rapid increases in unemployment resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, this project has major implications for the community’s recovery. Broader implications include an understanding of effective outreach and communication methods, which will be evaluated, and the relationship between the EITC, family financial stability, and ACEs.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
