County increasing programs at Maxey Community Center

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Orange County brought back some programs, but many facilities have been offering basic emergency programming, said Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson. The county now is ramping up for a more robust offering of programs, she said.

“I think there are some opportunities for better programs,” Wilson said. “I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to do things for each age group.”

In a focus on senior citizens, computer safety courses and a senior prom are being planned at the Maxey Community Center.

Orange County is searching for partnerships with organizations that can bring in educational components to West Orange County and, more specifically, to the Maxey Community Center.

“They are vetted as a partner and screened for not only their ability but to make sure they’re a good fit,” Wilson said.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a consent agenda at its Tuesday, Jan. 10, meeting that contained several items that pertain to West Orange County. Several of the items are either new contracts or renewals, Wilson said, and all are designed to improve the quality of life for residents.

The county approved a contract for reading and math coaches with City Year Inc. through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida Inc. This is a countywide program and will be offered at the Maxey Community Center in east Winter Garden.

The total contract award amount is $375,000 for a three-year term.

A suspension prevention and intervention program contract was approved with Central Florida Urban League Inc. The total three-year contract term will cost $300,000.

The county has approved a contract with Harbor House of Central Florida, Inc. that focuses on domestic violence prevention. The three-year contract award is $600,000.

“We are a funder of the victims service center, which has a District 1 presence at Shepherd’s (Hope),” Wilson said.

This is an existing contract; Wilson said there is a push to make sure any of the funds placed into the community action programs are used.

“That’s part of our programming and our priorities to make sure we’re providing those safety nets and services,” she said.

An item on the BCC’s consent agenda for Tuesday, Jan. 24, pertained to the Orange County Citizens’ Commission for Children and a contract to pilot a domestic violence childcare program for domestic violence survivors with children ages birth to 12 years to minimize barriers to care.

“Domestic violence survivors with less financial security are more likely to return to an abusive partner,” the consent agenda item stated. “Ensuring survivors have access to childcare would alleviate the financial burden of providing childcare and allow survivors more financial freedom to leave abusive partners.

“Citizens’ Commission for Children will initiate referrals for DV childcare for children approved by domestic violence service providers in Orange County,” the agenda item read. “The Community Coordinated Care for Children will work with each referred survivor to fund childcare at an approved childcare center. They will also collaborate with Orange County’s Neighborhood Centers for Families to identify additional needs of the survivor and his/her family.”

Childcare stipends will be provided countywide until funding is exhausted, and the number of children served will vary based on the individual cost of childcare.