Human Services Commission recommends $7.5 million for NCS contracts after reviewing 101 applications

Erin Watlington, community resources analyst senior with Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), briefed the Community Vitality and Safety Committee on Feb. 13 on the Human Services Commission's 2024 work and the commission's tentative 2025 plan.

Watlington said the full commission reviewed and rated 101 funding applications in mid-2024, heard oral presentations from applicants, and collectively recommended $7,500,000 in contract funding for NCS for the 2025'026 biennium. Commissioners completed equitable-rater training before the review to address implicit bias and support consistent decision-making. Watlington said commissioners volunteered 234 hours for the competitive review process.

Christy Coyne, chair of the Human Services Commission, and staff presented highlights from 2024 and outlined a 2025 work plan that includes a retreat, briefings on juvenile-justice and youth-violence initiatives (BRAVE), updates on senior services and the JAG funding award, and continued coordination with NCS on procurement and equitable rating.

Watlington told committee members the commission currently has a full roster of members but noted that five commissioners will have terms expiring in September and the youth seat expires in June; staff will recruit to fill those seats with appointments anticipated to come before the committee in August.

Committee members asked about funding buckets and revenue sources used by NCS; Watlington and staff described a mix of general fund dollars, mental-health and substance-use disorder allocations, and other dedicated revenue streams, and noted staff are preparing to brief the committee further about shifts in opioid-related funding and other sources.

Ending: The committee thanked the Human Services Commission and NCS staff for the update and encouraged continued attention to funding sources and outreach during the upcoming recruitment and planning work for 2025.