CDAC describes PATHS, Woodland Heights program and budget lines as Parks board forwards MOUs to council

Denise Manassa, director of community prevention for CDAC Behavioral Healthcare, told the Pensacola Parks and Recreation Board on June 17 that CDAC’s PATHS social‑emotional learning curriculum and an evidence‑based preschool program at Woodland Heights served dozens of children this school year and produced measurable behavior changes.

At Fricker Center, Manassa said CDAC enrolled 37 students in the PATHS curriculum during the year; the program began with two students the prior year. “We do do a pre and post test with the curriculum. So 70 percent of the students had a decrease of conflict behavior… and 79 percent had an increase of prosocial behavior,” Manassa said. She described weekly, age‑appropriate lesson plans and parent engagement components.

At Woodland Heights CDAC operated an Incredible Years‑based program for 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds; Manassa reported that 17 students participated and a pre/post assessment showed a 91 percent increase in positive behavior for that cohort. Activities included classroom routines, social‑emotional work and school‑readiness skills; CDAC provides snacks and parents receive referrals and parenting classes year‑round.

Manassa presented a detailed cost breakdown for operating the programs without in‑kind support. She said CDAC’s current contract with the city is $31,374 (a subcontract through ECT). Manassa estimated that operating both programs with two full‑time prevention staff (with benefits) would cost roughly $155,000 annually. She provided several scenario calculations: staffing‑only estimates and versions including rental and curriculum costs. Examples cited: approximately $59 per child per week (one staffing/rental scenario), about $63 per child per week for the Fricker after‑school estimate, and roughly $125 per child per week for Woodland Heights in a full‑cost scenario.

Manassa explained funding sources: CDAC is licensed for substance abuse and mental health services; funding comes through child welfare and the managing entity Northwest Florida Behavioral Health, and includes state and federal dollars. The PATHS work at Fricker currently operates as a subcontract within the city’s ECT grant.

Nut graf: CDAC said the programs deliver documented behavioral gains but that running the work as a stand‑alone city contract would substantially raise annual costs. The board discussed whether the city’s in‑kind support (facility space and coordinating staff) and ECT subcontracts make the programs financially viable for CDAC.

Board members asked for follow‑up documentation. Tanya Bird, assistant director for Parks and Recreation, said quarterly outcome reports and MOUs are used to track performance; Manassa said CDAC already files quarterly outcome data with its internal PQI program and will share documentation with the city.

Formal action: the board voted to forward the two MOUs (Fricker Center and Woodland Heights) to city council for approval. A board member moved the motion and another seconded; the board approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Ending: Manassa and Tanya Bird said they will continue to supply outcome reports and to work with Parks staff on MOU language and scheduling. Board members asked that future materials clearly show enrollment, costs, and quarterly outcomes.