The Escambia Childrens Trust on Oct. 14 took a detailed, item-by-item approach to mental-health renewal requests after the program committee and staff raised multiple questions about budgets, line-item reallocations and supporting audit materials.

The board first voted to consider each renewal separately, a motion that passed. The Boys & Girls Club renewal was approved as presented. Youth Left Behinds renewal was also approved after staff said the changes were line-item reallocations consistent with program needs.

New World Believers, Twin Oaks and Lamplighters drew more scrutiny. Board members asked for clearer explanations of indirect-cost calculations, staff titles and whether salary lines were supported by other funders. For New World Believers the board approved a 30-day extension of the current contract to allow the program committee to review answers and return recommendations at the next board meeting. The same 30-day extension approach was used for Twin Oaks (staff noted Twin Oaks had not yet submitted a full 2024 audit and that could affect its capacity) and for Lamplighters; Lamplighters vote carried with 1 board member abstaining because of a board affiliation.

Board discussion included questions about whether monthly reimbursements and contract amendments should be allowed to shift funds between line items without prior committee approval. Members repeatedly emphasized the need for consistent treatment across providers and requested written responses to specific questions before renewal approvals. Staff and the board agreed to reconvene program-committee review meetings within 30 days and present committee recommendations at the November board meeting.

Votes at a glance
- Boys & Girls Club: approved (renewal as submitted).
- Youth Left Behind: approved (renewal as submitted).
- New World Believers, Inc.: 30-day extension and return to program committee for further review (extension approved).
- Twin Oaks: 30-day extension and return to program committee for further review (extension approved); staff noted audit for 2024 outstanding.
- Lamplighters: 30-day extension and return to program committee for further review (extension approved; one board member abstained because of board affiliation).

Ending: Staff will coordinate program-committee reviews and will request the specific financial and staffing explanations the board sought; providers were told they should supply missing audits, detailed indirect-cost calculations and line-item justifications where requested.