DSS says Hispanic‑serving programs funded through community action agencies will go out to bid
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Summary
DSS told the committee that funding for Hispanic‑focused programs (primarily English as a second language and training) is provided to community action agencies but will be reprocured in the current procurement cycle. The department said community action agencies may apply in the new bid process.
Department of Social Services staff briefed the Appropriations subcommittee on funding for programs that serve Hispanic communities. DSS said the funding is currently provided to community action agencies to deliver services such as English‑as‑a‑second‑language instruction and other training programs.
The department provided a topline expenditure figure for 2024 of approximately $1.2 million and said there are planned reductions in 2025–2027 of “just over a million” (as described in the presentation). DSS asked committee members whether they wanted additional line‑item breakdowns, and staff said they could provide a revenue and expenditure breakout showing how funds flow to providers and what each contract covers.
Agency staff told the committee that the Hispanic programs contract is being put out to bid as part of the procurement process; community action agencies are eligible to apply but are not guaranteed renewal if another applicant proposes superior services. A committee member asked DSS to provide a program‑level breakdown demonstrating how dollars are spent across services, and DSS agreed to supply that detail.
