COMCOR 02.64M.01 Vulnerable Youth and Low-Income Persons

This Executive Regulation is authorized by Bill 12-15, effective on July 8, 2015, and Section 2-64M of the Montgomery County Code.

This Executive Regulation is intended to implement Bill 12-15 and Section 2-64M of the Montgomery County Code.

a) Applicant – A program or organization that applied for a reduction or waiver of fees for using public space scheduled by the Community Use of Public Facilities.

b) Facility – school classrooms, cafeterias, all-purpose rooms, library meeting rooms, and meeting rooms at certain public county office buildings for which Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) schedules use of the space. Specialized space including school gymnasiums, auditoriums and kitchens may be included if they are available for use and the proposed program cannot be accommodated through non-specialized space.

c) Vulnerable youth – young people, typically in middle and high school, who may be at risk for a competent transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency. Groups of vulnerable youth include the following:

• youth emancipating from foster care;

• runaway and homeless youth;

• youth involved in the juvenile justice system;

• immigrant youth and youth with limited English proficiency;

• youth with physical and mental disabilities;

• youth with mental disorders; and

• youth receiving special education.

d) Low-income persons or families – Individuals or families whose incomes are less than twice the Federal Poverty Level.

e) Title I school – Montgomery County Public Schools which are identified with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families.

An applicant may request that the Director reduce or waive the facility fees that CUPF charges. In order to qualify for the reduced fee or for a fee waiver, the applicant must comply with all requirements of the CUPF community use program and meet the following criteria:

a) The applicant’s proposed program or service must provide services to at risk and low income residents of Montgomery County;

b) The applicant must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization or an informal community group offering a service comparable for a charitable organization. Nonprofit status through an affiliation with another organization will not be recognized;

c) The applicant must confirm that it will not use the facility for fundraising activities;

d) The applicant’s mission statement or program description must verify that its primary purpose is to serve vulnerable youth or low-income persons or residents receiving financial assistance; and

e) If the applicant receives reduced or waived fees, the applicant must agree to submit an outcomes report on activities conducted and accomplishments achieved within one week of the last reservation date.

The following additional criteria will also be considered. The more criteria that are met, the more likely an applicant will qualify for the reduced or waived fee:

f) Provides service in a Title I school;

g) Free or nominal cost to participants; and

h) First-time applicant.

Funding for the reduced or waived fees will be contingent on Council appropriations.

On a rolling fiscal year basis, Community Use of Public Facilities’ staff will evaluate each application for a Facility fee reduction or waiver under the criteria contained in this regulation. Staff will recommend to the CUPF Executive Director which applicant should receive a reduced fee or waived fee. The CUPF Executive Director will make the final decision. Decisions of the Executive Director are final.

a) Facility fees can be waived or reduced on weekdays; facility fees can only be reduced on weekends. Other costs such as staff services and equipment fees will not be waived but may be reduced. Use of specialized spaces, such as auditoriums and gymnasiums, will not be confirmed until 30 days prior to the proposed use.

b) CUPF will do outreach to organizations, groups, government departments, and others about the reduced or waived fee program and how to apply. CUPF will communicate through newsletters and electronic mail.

c) CUPF will provide technical assistance to applicants, which will include answering questions regarding filling out the application form and about the process. It may also include providing the application form for walk-in applicants or users who have difficulty with the electronic application.

d) On or before January 1 of each even-numbered year, the CUPF Executive Director must submit a report to the County Executive and County Council describing the activities conducted, accomplishments achieved, and difficulties encountered in seeking to increase the use of public facilities by programs serving vulnerable youth or low-income persons.

Applicants found to be eligible must sign the Facility Use License Agreement and comply with all procedures and conditions of use applicable to the community use program.