Submitted By
Kira Tchang, Assistant Village Manager/Human Resources Director
Reviewed By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager / Interim Director of Development Customer Services
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) in Partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services with a Requested Funding Amount of $1,944,000
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Overview
Overview
Staff is requesting the Village Board adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for $1,944,000 in requested funding to provide for the distribution and management of aid for new arrivals via the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
The Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus has reopened the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) grant process. The Village previously received a total of $400,000 in SMASS grant funding which has been utilized to operate the Village's temporary shelter program through the months of November and December 2023. The purpose of the reapplication for grant funds is to provide support for the transition of asylum seekers out of the Village's current temporary shelter program which is scheduled to end on February 29, 2024. The grant would provide asylum seeker's access to shelter and transitional housing, food, wrap around services, and legal assistance. Village staff would work with community partners to coordinate the services outlined below to ensure asylum seekers have access to available resources.
For the purpose of the grant application, an asylum seeker is defined as "an individual who crossed the Mexico/U.S. border on or after August 1, 2022, with the intent to stay permanently, and who does not posses...
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