On Nov. 25 the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a series of grants and contract awards aimed at youth mentoring, workforce training and out‑of‑school supports.

Rochelle Pride and Carmen Barnes presented multiple items. The board authorized substantial amendments to HOME‑ARP and CDBG annual action plans (Resolution 87225) to reallocate roughly $800,000 in HOME‑ARP funds across program years to respond to completed projects and emerging needs. Commissioners were told a public comment period and a hearing had been held.

The board approved a $49,000 economic development grant to Nehemiah House of Refuge (Resolution 87325). Terry Byrd, speaking for Nehemiah House, described mentoring, clothing and job‑readiness programs and said related programs have assisted hundreds of individuals over recent years.

Job & Family Services presented several subaward and contract approvals: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio and City Year Columbus for youth mentoring ($201,990.07, Resolution 87425); Godman Guild Association to deliver SNAP Employment & Training workforce services ($450,000, Resolution 87525); AMP (Achieve More and Prosper) out‑of‑school youth comprehensive case management and employment services subawards totaling $1,995,999.30 across multiple agencies and serving about 429 participants across five providers (Resolution 87625); an in‑school youth model serving over 1,100 youth with a total ~ $7,766,395.06 in subawards (Resolution 87725); and contracts with House of Hope and Mary Haven for residential and nonresidential substance‑use treatment (Resolution 87825) estimated to provide services for about 55 low‑income residents.

At one point a commissioner questioned a discrepancy in participant counts for the AMP contracts — the supplemental documentation listed 219 participants for the four organizations shown on the staff sheet while staff said a fifth organization fills the gap to reach 429. Staff confirmed that the total 429 includes five providers selected through procurement procedures.

All of the described resolutions were moved, seconded and adopted.