American Rescue Plan Act 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

August 31, 2021
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 1

Orange County, Florida

2021 Recovery Plan

Table of Contents

General Overview

Executive Summary............................................................................................................. 3

Uses of Funds...................................................................................................................... 4

Promoting Equitable Outcomes.......................................................................................... 6

Community Engagement .................................................................................................... 8

Labor Practices.................................................................................................................... 8

Use of Evidence................................................................................................................. 10

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category..................................................................... 12

Project Inventory

Public Health..................................................................................................................... 13

 COVID-19 Vaccination ................................................................................................... 13

 COVID-19 Testing .......................................................................................................... 14

 Personal Protective Equipment..................................................................................... 15

 Personal Protective Equipment Warehouse Improvement.......................................... 16

 Adult Mental Health Community Expansion................................................................. 17

Expansion of Community Substance Use Services ....................................................... 18

Negative Economic Impacts.............................................................................................. 19

Food Bank ...................................................................................................................... 19

 Homeless Diversion/Prevention – Rental Assistance ................................................... 20

 Homeless Diversion/Prevention – Eviction Prevention ................................................ 21

 Job Training and Retraining........................................................................................... 22

 Small Business Grants ................................................................................................... 23

Micro Grant Home-Based Program .............................................................................. 24

Small Business Assistance - Nonprofit Technical Assistance ........................................ 25

 Small Business Assistance - Gig Worker Grant Program............................................... 26

Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities................................................... 27

 Childcare........................................................................................................................ 27

 Childcare Services – Academic Services........................................................................ 28

 Supporting Child/Youth Mental Health in Education Systems..................................... 29

 Childcare Services – Aid to High Poverty Districts ........................................................ 30

 Breakthrough ................................................................................................................ 31

Childcare Services – Healthy Childhood ....................................................................... 32

 Homelessness................................................................................................................ 33
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 2

Infrastructure.................................................................................................................... 34

 Bithlo Rural Area Water- Phase 1 West ........................................................................ 34

 Lake Downey Drive and Frankel Street Water Main Extension.................................... 35

 Mobile Broadband......................................................................................................... 36

Fixed Broadband ........................................................................................................... 37

Revenue Replacement...................................................................................................... 38

 Digital Infrastructure Upgrade ...................................................................................... 38

 Fire Station #80 ............................................................................................................. 39

 Fire Station #32 Land Acquisition.................................................................................. 40

 Fire Heavy Equipment................................................................................................... 41

Public Works Heavy Equipment.................................................................................... 42

Erect a County – Public Safety Radio Communications Tower..................................... 43

 Cyber Security Infrastructure Upgrade, Technology Security Enhancements.............. 44

 Broadband Technology Literacy.................................................................................... 45

 Mobile hotspots and tablets......................................................................................... 46

 Virtual Mental Health.................................................................................................... 47

Emergency Operation Center Renovation.................................................................... 48

Dr. Phillips Front Yard Festival ...................................................................................... 49

 Art Agency Assistance ................................................................................................... 50
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 3

Executive Summary

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 

(ARPA) to provide direct relief to Americans, contain the COVID-19 virus, and rescue the 

economy. Within ARPA contained an allocation of $362 billion in state and local fiscal recovery 

funds to assist state and local governments in the recovery. Orange County’s direct allocation 

based on population is $270.7 million. The first half of the ARPA funding has been received from 

the US Treasury in the amount of $135.4 million. The second payment will arrive no earlier than 

12 months after the first payment was received. The deadline to obligate funds as required by 

federal law is December 31, 2024 and funds must be fully expended by December 31, 2026.

Orange County’s plan focuses on bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control; addressing the 

urgent needs of residents, families and neighborhoods hardest hit by the COVID-19 public health 

emergency; and making investments to provide economic recovery and rebuilding. On June 22, 

2021, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved five (5) area of focus to 

include business assistance, social and community services, public health and safety, 

infrastructure projects, and revenue recovery that will be used to invest in areas that were heavily 

impacted by the pandemic. The chart below is a summary of the current funding allocations for 

each of the focus categories. The specific programs and projects associated with the categories 

are described in further detail in this report. Further updates and information will be posted in 

Orange County’s website as progress is made throughout the coming years.

Funding Categories 2021

Funding

%

Allocation

Business Assistance $31.8 Million 24%

Social and Community Services $40.7 Million 30%

Public Health and Safety $17.6 Million 13%

Infrastructure Projects $14.2 Million 10%

Revenue Recovery Investments $31.1 Million 23%

Total $135.4 Million 100%
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 4

Uses of Funds

$31.8 million for Small Business Assistance 

& Economic Development, including:

• $21.8 million for Small Business Grants

• $4.0 million to assist with Nonprofit 

Technical Assistance Program

• $3.0 million to provide micro-grants for 

Home-based Businesses

• $3.0 million for grants to GIG workers

$40.7 million for Social & Community 

Services, including:

• $10.3 million for Job Training to provide a 

suite of employment and retraining 

opportunities

• $10.3 million for Childcare Services to aid 

in child care, academic services, aid to 

high-poverty districts, healthy childhood 

services, and other programs

• $10.0 million to sustain Food Bank access 

through existing partnerships

• $7.0 million for Adult and Youth Mental 

Health programs

• $3.0 million for Homelessness to provide 

aid in rental assistance, eviction 

prevention, and other programs

$22.2 million for Public Health and 

pandemic response, including:

• $20.8 million to support vaccination and

COVID-19 testing 

• $1.4 million for pandemic response safety 

costs such as personal protective 

equipment (PPE) and PPE warehouse 

improvements
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 5

*Items marked with asterisk are funded through the revenue loss provision of ARPA.

$14.2 million for Infrastructure, including:

• $9.5 million for bridging digital divide in 

fixed and mobile broadband

• $4.7 million to extend water service to 

the south west portion of Bithlo Rural 

Area and two (2) residential streets in 

east Orange County, Frankel Street and 

Lake Downey Drive

$ 26.5 million for Fiscal Sustainability & Core 

County Services, including:*

• $8.7 million for land acquisition for Fire 

Station 32, construction of Fire Station 80 

and EOC Renovations

• $7.8 million for purchase of Fire and 

Public Works heavy equipment 

• $5.7 million for Technology needs such as 

security enhancements, broadband 

literacy, mobile hotspots and tablets, 

digital infrastructure upgrades at 

community centers

• $1.5 million for installation of a new 

Public Safety Radio Communications 

Tower

• $1.5 million to assist Art & Cultural 

Agencies that were affected by COVID-19

• $1.3 million to provide Virtual Mental 

Health to county employees
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 6

Promoting Equitable Outcomes

Orange County created a plan to provide equitable outcomes to meet many areas of need 

throughout the County.

1. Goals

a. Business Assistance

i. Aid businesses that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic by 

providing grants to home and small businesses, which include minority 

owned businesses.

ii. Evaluate cash grants for GIG workers that didn’t qualify for 

unemployment or Federal PPP.

iii. Provide nonprofit technical assistance to prepare local nonprofits to 

pursue partnerships with the County as well as other local municipalities

iv. Provide minority and women business enterprise support to ensure 

seamless contracting procedures and outreach initiatives are in place to 

grow these businesses.

b. Social & Community Services

i. Expand and create additional capacity to serve the homeless.

ii. Provide prevention, early intervention, and enhanced medical services to 

for youth and adult mental health.

iii. Provide a suite of new employment and retraining opportunities for 

residents whose careers were negatively affected by the COVID-19 

pandemic. 

iv. Provide child care funding for families not eligible for current School 

Readiness vouchers and focusing on areas in high-poverty districts.

Funding will expand access to child care assistance by broadening the 

income eligibility threshold qualifying more families to receive enriching 

high-quality, low-cost child care, and equitably distribute the funding so 

that the families and programs who most need it get the support. In 

addition, the majority of child care owners and providers are women of 

color operating child care programs in Orange County’s most 

overburdened and under-resourced communities, ensuring that Orange 

County’s working poor families are able to access child care in their 

community.

v. Provide funding to Second Harvest Food Bank to provide food for those in 

the community that are unable to afford it.

c. Health & Public Safety

i. Establish COVID-19 testing sites for residents to get tested for free if they 

feel they may have contracted the disease.

ii. Partner with the State Health Department on setting up vaccination sites.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 7

iii. Procure the necessary personal protective equipment supplies for those in 

the community that may need supplies to staff safe from COVID-19.

d. Infrastructure – Water and Broadbanding 

i. Extending water mains to service areas in the County that don’t have 

reliable water service.

ii. Expanding fixed and mobile broadbanding in the County and targeting 

rural areas and underserved neighborhoods that have no or unreliable 

access to the internet.

e. Revenue Recovery Investments

i. Using funding to build new fire stations to serve the community.

ii. Using funding to replace Fire Rescue Engines and Public Works heavy 

equipment to be able to respond to emergencies timely.

iii. Allocated funding to build a new public safety radio tower to serve the 

west side of Orange County that is experiencing rapid growth.

iv. Purchasing the necessary technology security upgrades to ensure a safe 

county technology network.

v. Looking to provide technology training and equipment to those in the 

community that are in need. As well as upgrading technology at the 

community centers.

vi. Utilizing some funding to enhance the County’s Emergency Operations 

Center to provide necessary responses during emergencies.

vii. Assisting the Arts community with grants to those impacted greatly by the 

pandemic.

b) Awareness

a. Marketing programs on the Orange County website. 

b. Working with community and charity organizations to communicate programs, 

such as the United Way of Central Florida.

c. Seeking feedback from the County’s many advisory boards.

d. Orange TV and other media sources.

e. Mayor’s weekly press conferences.

f. Board of County Commissioner Meetings.

c) Access and Distribution

a. Orange County will target the access of the programs being offered. Some of the 

programs will be available for electronic submission and others will be in person 

submissions. Systems will be developed to reach as many residents in need for a 

particular program. 

b. The County will be using established community organizations to run many of the 

social services programs to better target those in need.

c. The County will contract with private providers for business assistance and other 

programs to provide the necessary resources for access and distribution of 

resources.

d) Outcomes
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 8

a. The intended outcome of the programs is primary focused on closing gaps in 

business, social services, and infrastructure needs throughout the community.

b. The health and public safety goal are safety awareness through testing and a 

reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases through vaccinations.

c. Revenue recovery investment outcomes are focused on meeting needs that were 

impacted by the pandemic on county government’s resources.

Community Engagement

Orange County will use a variety of community engagement methods to reach the diverse 

residents of the community. 

1) Web

a) Orange County’s website will serve as a platform through which the community and other 

stakeholders can find out about services being offered. This information will be available 

in English and Spanish.

2) Community Partners

a) Orange County will be working with the various community partners to push out the 

information for business assistance, social service programs, and public safety resources 

to reach those that are in need of these services.

3) Social Media

a) Will use the various social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to 

communicate the services being offered by the County.

4) Print/Flyers

a) For certain programs will be developing print material to explain programs and services 

that are being offered. Will produce in English and Spanish

5) Community Meetings

a) May hold community meetings with partnerships with County Commissioner to target 

various programs.

6) Press Releases

a) The Mayor and Commissioners will use the local media channels to explain the programs 

being offered and how to obtain those services.

7) Advisory Boards

a) Will use advisory boards to help community programs especially for social services. 

Labor Practices

The County will take all necessary affirmative steps to assure that minority businesses, women's

business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible. Affirmative steps will 

include:
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 9

1) Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women's business enterprises on 

solicitation lists thereby assuring that small and minority businesses, and women's 

business enterprises are solicited whenever they are potential sources;

2) Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities 

to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women's 

business enterprises;

3) Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage 

participation by small and minority businesses, and women's business enterprises;

4) Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small 

Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the 

Department of Commerce; and

5) Requiring the prime contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the affirmative steps 

listed above.

The county hereby establishes a minimum annual contract dollar participation goal of twentyfive (25) percent of contract dollars awarded to minority/women business enterprises for 

participation in the construction area. The twenty-five (25) percent goal applies to all 

construction related procurement. Fifty (50) percent of the total dollar value of supplies 

furnished by certified minority/women business enterprises will be counted toward the goals 

established for the project provided the supplier is not a manufacturer. If the minority/women 

business enterprise supplier also manufactured the goods, one hundred (100) percent of those 

dollars will be allotted toward the minority/women business enterprise goals. If a 

minority/women business enterprise prime contractor certifies that it will self-perform fifty-one 

(51) percent or more of the project with its own forces, it will not be required to comply with the 

minority/women business enterprise subcontracting goals. If the minority/women business 

enterprise prime contractor does not certify that it will self-perform at least fifty-one (51) percent 

of the project, then the minority/women business enterprise prime contractor must comply with 

the twenty-five (25) percent annual minority/women business enterprise subcontracting goal. 

Contract awards will count towards minority/women business enterprise subcontract 

participation only for subcontractors who are certified in a specific line of work or business for 

which a defined scope of work is sought at the time of bid or proposal opening. Only these 

minority/women business enterprise firms certified or recognized by the county will count 

towards the subcontracting goals. A prime contractor is not required to subcontract out work 

that it has historically and consistently performed with its own work force. For that portion that 

the prime contractor does not historically and consistently perform, the prime shall make a goodfaith effort as defined herein, to utilize all available minority/women business enterprise. 

However, if after the award of bid, the prime contractor chooses to subcontract such work to a 

non-minority/women business enterprise firm, the prime contractor may face penalties. A 

business acting or that will act as broker, front, conduit or pass-through shall not be certified or 

recertified as a minority/women business enterprise, unless in the case of a broker the brokering 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 10

service reflects normal industry practice and provides or will provide a commercially useful 

function. The compliance officer may revoke the certification of any minority/women business 

enterprise that is determined to be acting under these arrangements in connection with one (1) 

or more county procurement contracts, and contractors and subcontractors who create or 

knowingly participate in such arrangements shall be subject to the penalties enumerated in this 

division. The relevant market for which the county will recognize and calculate minority/women 

business enterprise participation will be as follows: (1) Construction - Orlando Metropolitan 

Statistical Area. 

Use of Evidence

Orange County used evidence to determine many of the areas to focus its financial local recovery 

fund allocations. 

• The Small Business Grant Program will focus on companies that were only able to obtain 

$50,000 or less in the Federal PPP program loan. Under the PPP program, $133B, or 25%, of 

PPP funding had gone to companies in economically disadvantaged areas known as HUB 

business zones and 27% went to businesses operating in low and moderate income 

neighborhoods according to the SBA. Many of these businesses weren’t able to secure loans 

until very late in the program. Setting a PPP threshold will ensure that the Small Business 

Grant Program will reach the companies that received the least amount of assistance 

previously. 

• Cash grants for GIG workers (independent contractors who typically do short-term work for 

multiple clients) that couldn’t obtain unemployment or qualify for PPP. According to the US 

Chamber of Commerce, 1 in 10 workers utilize GIG work as their primary source of income. 

Many don’t receive benefits due to the structure of these types of jobs. Examples of GIG 

workers include; Freelancers, rideshare drivers, food delivery drivers, creative workers, web 

designers, bartenders, actors, musicians, etc.

• A project, titled “Breakthrough” fosters access to a network of evidence-based clinical

services for youth ages 9 to 16 with two or more involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations. 

Family navigation services are provided to each youth/family, in the community for 

approximately eighteen to twenty-four months, based on the needs of the family. Embrace 

Families, the lead Child Welfare Organization for Orange County, employs the Family 

Navigators and manages the pool of funds for family financial assistance. Two additional 

Navigators will be hired for this project and will serve 40 families per year. 

• People living without basic shelter are at high risk for COVID-19 infection due to limited access 

to the preventive measures recommended by (CDC), including handwashing, home isolation, 

avoiding high touch surfaces, and rapid access to health care to help prevent an outbreak.

Funding will include an expansion of homeless outreach to outer areas of Orange County and 

will include case management, connection to medical, mental health and housing resources. 

Outreach to the more rural settings of Orange County has been identified as gaps in the 

continuum of care in homeless system. Services are rooted in evidence-based practices. 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 11

• According to the Administration for Children and Families, one in six child care jobs have been 

lost during the pandemic, and turnover rates for child care workers is high. The inability of 

providers to recruit and retain a high-quality workforce disrupts the stable relationships 

between children and providers that is important to child development and wellbeing.

Funding will provide financial relief to child care providers to help defray unexpected 

business costs associated with the pandemic, and to help stabilize their operations so that 

Early Head Start centers may continue to provide care as they have faced increase in staff 

turnover and a more competitive job market during the pandemic. 

• During the COVID-19 public health emergency, food insecurity grew exponentially. Second 

Harvest of Central Florida reports that food distribution exceeded the prior year by over 1 

million pounds per month. Funding will provide support for Bring Hope Home, Mobile Drop 

and to expand partner feeding capacity building. Bring Hope Home provides both fresh 

produce and non-perishable food items delivered to the homes of seniors, homebound 

individuals, people with a disability and those in the high-risk group for contracting 

coronavirus. Mobile Drop provides fresh produce and other nutritious food through feeding 

programs in Orange County. The Partner Feeding Capacity Building project will increase the 

flow of fresh fruit and vegetables from Florida farmers and other sources by expanding 

refrigeration capacity. 

• Expansion of community mental health and identified gaps in the current available mental 

health services in Orange County. All of these services are rooted in evidence-based 

practices.

• Expansion of homeless prevention and diversion for Orange County residents. Even with a 

temporary moratorium on evictions, the number of families and individuals seeking rental 

assistance because of loss of employment or lack of employment and loss of housing due to 

COVID-19 has increased. Rapid Rehousing, an evidence-based intervention, will provide 

short-term case management and assistance to families and individuals. 

• Expansion of use of evidence-based practices in education settings for children/youth in 

Orange County experiencing social, emotional and mental health distress that has been 

exacerbated by COVID-19. Researchers from the University of Central Florida will rigorously 

evaluate the effectiveness of services and related youth and family outcomes utilizing 

evidence based assessment tools such as CDI2- Clinical Depression Inventory 2 (age 7 and 

above); CBCL – Child Behavior Checklist- preschool and school aged (parent) and Youth Self 

Report (YSR)(age 11 and 12) and Teacher Report Form (TRF) (Teacher), the LSDQ- Loneliness 

and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire; and LACA -Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for 

Children and Adolescents. 

• Broadband installations will be placed in marginalized areas of the County as the installations 

will be expected in LMI designated addresses. Furthermore, it is expected that these same 

residents were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with already earning very 

low/low wages and coming from industries – such as hospitality/tourism- which was most 

affected by the pandemic.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 12

Expenses by Expenditure Category

Category

1st

Tranche

Allocation

Cumulative 

expenditures 

to date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination $2,390,000

1.2 COVID-19 Testing $18,453,012

1.5 Personal Protective Equipment $450,000

1.7 Capital Investments or Physical Plant 

Changes to Public Facilities that respond to 

the COVID-19 public health emergency

$900,000

1.10 Mental Health Services $5,000,000

1.11 Substance Use Services $1,000,000

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs $10,000,000

2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and 

Utility Aid 

$500,000

2.5 Household Assistance: Eviction Prevention $500,000

2.7 Job Training Assistance (e.g., Sectoral jobtraining, Subsidized Employment, 

Employment Supports or Incentives)

$10,300,000

2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance

(General)

$24,832,715

2.10 Aid to nonprofit organizations $4,000,000

2.13 Other Economic Support $3,000,000

3 Expenditure Category: Services to 

Disproportionately Impacted Communities

3.1 Education Assistance: Early Learning $544,756

3.3 Education Assistance: Academic Services $1,000,000

3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and 

Mental Health Services 

$500,000

3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care $8,550,000

3.8 Healthy Childhood Environments: Services to 

Foster Youth or Families Involved in Child 

Welfare System 

$550,000

3.9. Healthy Childhood Environments: Other $254,500

3.11 Housing Support: Services for Unhoused 

persons 

$2,000,000

5 Expenditure Category: Infrastructure

5.11 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution $4,700,000

5.16 Broadband: “Last Mile” projects $9,473,160

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue 

Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services $26,532,715

TOTALS $135,430,858 $0 $0
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 13

PUBLIC HEALTH

PROJECT 8621: COVID-19 Vaccination

FUNDING AMOUNT: $2,390,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 1.1;

COVID-19 Vaccination 

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Health Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support continued COVID-19 

vaccination efforts for Orange County 

residents in order to contain and mitigate 

the spread of COVID-19. Orange County will 

offer COVID-19 vaccines at no cost 

throughout the community to decrease the 

spread of COVID-19. To promote equitable 

outcomes, the County has established 

several vaccination sites in and near 

qualified census tracts. This is made possible 

with the collaboration of the Florida 

Department of Health in Orange County.

designed to debunk vaccine myths, highlight 

trusted voices in the community, and 

encourage residents to get vaccinated and 

become advocates. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Points of access for vaccination in 

Qualified Census Tracts

• Vaccination rate for eligible residents

Outcome Measures

• Number of vaccinations

• Increased vaccination rates in 

qualified census tracts
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 14

PROJECT 8620: COVID-19 Testing

FUNDING AMOUNT: $18,453,012

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 1.2;

COVID-19 Testing 

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Health Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support the County’s continued 

efforts to combat the widespread presence 

of the COVID-19 virus within our community. 

Currently, the County is offering 

PCR/molecular and rapid/antigen COVID-19 

testing for all Orange County residents. 

Through our public awareness campaign to 

ensure residents are information of the 

multiple testing options offered throughout 

the County, we are able to identify positive 

cases and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Testing is currently being offered at no cost 

seven days a week from 9am to 5pm in or 

near qualified census tracts.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Testing availability

• Positivity rates

Outcome Measures

• Number of tests completed

• Decreased transmission rates
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 15

PROJECT 8622: Personal Protective 

Equipment

FUNDING AMOUNT: $450,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 1.5;

Personal Protective Equipment

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Health Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Orange County Health Services 

Department will utilize funding to purchase 

personal protective equipment (PPE) such as 

hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves. Staff will 

distribute PPE at all testing locations, which 

are located in or near qualified census tracts. 

In addition to testing site locations, the 

Health Services Department will supply PPE 

for distribution at different community 

events throughout the County.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Quantity of PPE distributed

Outcome Measures

• Decreased transmission rates
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 16

PROJECT 8623: Personal Protective 

Equipment Warehouse Improvement

FUNDING AMOUNT: $900,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 1.7;

Capital Investments or Physical Plant 

Changes to Public Facilities that respond to 

the COVID-19 public health emergency

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Health Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will be utilized for the renovation of 

the County’s PPE Warehouse. The 

warehouse will store the county’s stockpile 

of PPE and other related emergency 

equipment for the COVID-19 pandemic and 

other public health emergencies. The 

renovation of this warehouse will ensure 

county residents have access to PPE 

irrespective of their income.

Local hospital representatives were elicited 

for feedback on what types of PPE should be 

stored in the warehouse, in addition to

nursing homes, Federally Qualified Health 

Centers, Corrections, Medical Clinic, and 

other healthcare organizations. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Quantity of PPE stockpiled

Outcome Measures

• Distribution quantities
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 17

PROJECT 8611: Adult Mental Health 

Community Expansion

FUNDING AMOUNT: $5,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 1.10;

Mental Health Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will include an expansion of 

community mental health and identified 

gaps in the current available mental health 

services in Orange County. All of these 

services are rooted in evidence-based 

practices. These gaps would include the 

following projects that will address mental 

health concerns that have been exacerbated 

by COVID-19:

• Peer Respite for Mental Health 

• Peer Respite for the Homeless with 

Mental Health 

• Certified Peer Respite Training 

• Expansion of Residential Mental 

Health Services 

• Increase of Outpatient Mental Health 

Services 

• Mental Health Care for LGTBQ+ 

Community

All projects listed are a result of an extensive 

community gaps analysis during the first 

year of COVID-19 and that are currently 

being reviewed in Mayor Demings Mental 

and Behavioral Health System of Care 

Community Analysis. All of these services 

are to serve individuals with mental health 

concerns and that are often marginalized 

and uninsured or under insured. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures:

• Number and demographics of 

individuals served (unduplicated)

Outcome Measures:

• Reduction in deep end, inpatient 

mental health services

• Participants will report overall 

improved mental health 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 18

PROJECT 8608: Expansion of Community 

Substance Abuse Services 

FUNDING AMOUNT: $1,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 1.11;

Substance Use Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support an expansion of 

community substance abuse services and 

identified gaps in the current available 

substance abuse services in Orange County. 

All of these services are rooted in evidencebased practices. These gaps would include 

the following projects, in collaboration with 

a public provider, that will address substance 

abuse concerns that have been exacerbated 

by COVID-19.:

• Expansion of Residential Substance 

Abuse Services for youth and adults 

who are uninsured and under 

insured 

• Increase of inpatient Detoxification 

Services for adults who are uninsured 

and under insured 

• Expansion of Medicated Assistance 

Treatment (MAT) for adults 

All projects listed were a result of an 

extensive community gaps analysis during 

the first year of COVID-19 and that are 

currently being reviewed in Mayor Demings 

Mental and Behavioral Health System of 

Care Community Analysis. All of these 

services are to serve individuals with 

substance abuse concerns and that are often 

marginalized and uninsured or under 

insured. Outcomes are intended to close 

the identified gaps. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures:

• Number and demographics of 

individuals served (unduplicated)

Outcome Measures:

• Reduction in deep end, inpatient 

services and substance use

• Participants will report overall 

improved health 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 19

NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACTS

PROJECT 8614: Food Bank

FUNDING AMOUNT: $10,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 2.1; 

Household Assistance: Food Programs

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will provide support for Bring Hope 

Home, Mobile Drop, and to expand the 

Partner Feeding Capacity Building program. 

Bring Hope Home provides fresh produce 

and non-perishable food items delivered to 

the homes of seniors, homebound 

individuals, the disabled and those in the 

high-risk group for contracting coronavirus. 

Mobile Drop provides fresh produce and 

other nutritious food through feeding 

programs in Orange County. The Partner 

Feeding Capacity Building project will 

increase the flow of fresh fruit and 

vegetables from Florida farmers and other 

sources by expanding refrigeration capacity. 

The funds would be deployed in a manner 

that effectively enables Orange County 

partner agencies to access food for their 

feeding programs at no cost to them paired 

with direct home delivery to Orange County 

residents unable to access the food pantries. 

There will also be an emphasis on 

communities of color.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures:

• Number of meals provided 

• Number of residents receiving food 

relief 

• Number of new community 

partnerships

Outcome Measures:

• Number and percentage of 

community partner feeding 

programs that demonstrate 

increased capacity to serve 

community residents
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 20

PROJECT 8606: Homeless Diversion/

Prevention – Rental Assistance

FUNDING AMOUNT: $500,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 2.2; 

Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and 

Utility Aid

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support an expansion of 

homeless prevention and diversion for 

Orange County residents. Even with a 

temporary moratorium on evictions, the 

number of families and individuals seeking 

rental assistance because of loss of 

employment or lack of employment and loss 

of housing due to COVID-19 has increased. 

Rapid Rehousing, an evidence-based

intervention, will provide short-term case 

management and assistance to families and 

individuals for:

• Short term rental assistance for new 

moves following loss of prior 

dwelling 

• Utility Assistance 

• Deposits

• All activity to be documented in 

HMIS

• Possible partners include Coalition 

for the Homeless, Catholic Charities, 

Salvation Army

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures:

• Number and demographics of 

individuals served (unduplicated)

• Average cost of assistance 

Outcome Measures:

• Number of participants diverted 

from homelessness

• Number of participants admitted to 

shelter
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 21

PROJECT 8607: Homeless Diversion/ 

Prevention – Eviction Prevention

FUNDING AMOUNT: $500,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 2.5; 

Household Assistance: Eviction Prevention

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support an expansion of 

homeless prevention and diversion for 

Orange County residents. Even with a 

temporary moratorium on evictions, the 

number of families and individuals seeking 

because of loss of or lack of employment due 

to COVID-19 has increased. We intend to 

utilize Rapid Rehousing, an evidence-based

intervention, that will provide the following 

short-term case management and assistance 

to families and individuals.

Possible partners include Coalition for the 

Homeless, Catholic Charities, and the 

Salvation Army

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures:

• Number and demographics of 

individuals served (unduplicated)

• Average cost of assistance 

Outcome Measures:

• Number of evictions prevented 

• Number of foreclosures prevented 

• Number of participants that become 

homeless
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 22

PROJECT 8612: Job Training and Retraining

FUNDING AMOUNT: $10,300,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 2.7; 

Job Training Assistance (e.g., Sectoral jobtraining, Subsidized Employment, 

Employment Supports or Incentives)

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will allow Orange County to provide 

a comprehensive suite of new employment 

and retraining services for residents whose 

careers were negatively affected by the 

COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative will retrain residents whose jobs were eliminated, 

or hours were significantly reduced, into 

new career paths of similar or higher wages. 

The initiative will seek several educational 

partners and external organizations’ 

assistance in resident and employer 

outreach, as well as work directly with 

nonprofit organizations who represent large 

memberships of human resource 

management departments and potential 

employers throughout the County, who 

previously have not partnered on similar 

initiatives. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures:

• Outreach to a minimum of 8,000 

residents

• Provide workforce Services to a 

minimum of 2,500 residents 

• Improved access to career, training, 

and employment information

Outcome Measures:

• 80% of those in workforce services 

will complete programming

• 80% of residents will become 

employed

• 50 % will earn hourly wages of $15 

per hour or more

• A minimum of three new postsecondary programs utilizing 

modeling and simulation technology
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 23

PROJECT 8601: Small Business Grants

FUNDING AMOUNT: $21,832,715

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 2.9; 

Small Business Economic Assistance 

(General)

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support a small business cash 

grant program for companies that have a 

commercial location and are located within

the County. If a company meets the 

eligibility criteria, they would receive a 

$10,000 grant that can be used towards rent 

or mortgage, payroll, utility costs or safety 

improvements tied to the COVID pandemic. 

The Small Business Grant Program will focus 

on companies that were only able to obtain 

$50,000 or less in the Federal PPP program 

loan. Under the PPP program, $133B, or 

25%, of PPP funding had gone to companies 

in economically disadvantaged areas known 

as HUB business zones and 27% went to 

businesses operating in low- and moderateincome neighborhoods according to the 

SBA. Setting a PPP threshold will ensure that 

the Small Business Grant Program will reach 

the companies that received the least 

amount of assistance previously.

We intend to use our existing list of 

applicants from the CARES act programs as 

well as our Communications Team. We will 

also work with our community chamber, 

consul and technical service provider 

networks to help communicate the program 

to the entire county. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output measures

• Negative COVID impact

• Physical address, District

• Demographics

• Number of employees

Outcome Measures

• Number of businesses assisted

• Percentage of minority and womanowned businesses (67% for CARES 

funding)

• Percentage of business assisted by

District 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 24

PROJECT 8600: Micro Grant Home-Based 

Program

FUNDING AMOUNT: $3,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 2.9;

Small Business Economic Assistance 

(General)

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support a small business cash 

grant program for Home-Based Businesses 

without a commercial location would be 

eligible for a grant in the amount up to 

$3,000. The Micro Grant for Home-Based 

Businesses Program will be available for 

companies that have not received any PPP 

funding through the Federal program. 

We intend to use our existing list of 

applicants from the CARES act programs as 

well as our Communications Team to market 

the grants. We will also work with our 

community chamber, consul and technical 

service provider networks to help 

communicate the program to the entire 

county. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output measures

• Negative COVID impact

• Physical address, District

• Demographics

• Number of employees

• Software program can report on 

demographics, location/residence, 

type of business, etc.

Outcome Measures

• Amount of Businesses granted

• Percentage of minority and womanowned businesses (67% for CARES 

funding)

• Percentage by District 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 25

PROJECT 8603: Small Business Assistance -

Nonprofit Technical Assistance

FUNDING AMOUNT: $4,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 2.10; 

Aid to nonprofit organizations 

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Program will be administered by community 

partner, Rollins College’s Edyth Bush 

Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit 

Leadership (EBI). This program will prepare 

local nonprofits, meeting specific eligibility 

criteria, to pursue partnerships with the 

County as well as other local municipalities. 

The program would be to ensure the 

continued vibrancy of the sector that serves 

the citizens of Orange County. We envision 

further expanding and developing 

relationships with nonprofits in the years to 

come, specifically to support and elevate 

small sized nonprofits and/or nonprofits that 

are led by “socially and economically 

disadvantaged individuals” while also 

elevating the sustainability of mature 

nonprofits. 

EBI currently offers workshops, certificates, 

coaching and other custom programs. There 

are 6,617 nonprofits in Orange County with 

over 58,000 employees. EBI would utilize 

their list of existing Orange County 

nonprofits to target the marketing towards 

these groups. Orange County would also 

work with various economic development 

partners and internal departments to help 

communicate the program broadly. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output measures

• Defines specific revenue thresholds 

to build pool of candidate nonprofits

• Physical address, District

• Demographics

Outcome Measures

• Service 261 nonprofits by December 

2024

• Percentage of minority and womanowned nonprofits assisted

• Percentage of business assisted by 

District
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 26

PROJECT 8602: Small Business Assistance -

Gig Worker Grant Program

FUNDING AMOUNT: $3,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 2.13; 

Other Economic Support 

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will provide cash grants for Gig

workers (independent contractors who 

typically do short-term work for multiple 

clients) that couldn’t obtain unemployment 

or qualify for PPP. Grants are limited to

$1,400 per worker per ARP guidelines. 

According to the US Chamber of Commerce, 

1 in 10 workers utilize Gig work as their 

primary source of income. Many don’t 

receive benefits due to the structure of 

these types of jobs. Examples of Gig workers 

include; Freelancers, rideshare drivers, food 

delivery drivers, creative workers, web 

designers, bartenders, actors, musicians, 

etc.

Orange County has worked with various 

groups in the community to get and 

understanding of the challenges currently 

facing Gig workers in various industry 

groups. Working with the Greater Orlando 

Performing Arts Relief (GOPAR) to review 

the results of an industry survey they have 

conducted to determine the challenges of 

their workforce during the COVID pandemic. 

Also reaching out to various other industry 

associations representing Gig workers.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output measures

• Gig workers must show loss due to 

COVID impact

• Physical address, District

• Demographics

• Report on demographics, location/

residence, type of business, etc.

Outcome Measures

• Number of Gig workers awarded

• Percentage of disadvantaged and 

minority Gig workers

• Percentage of Gig workers assisted 

by District 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 27

SERVICES TO 

DISPROPORTIONATELY 

IMPACTED COMMUNITIES

PROJECT 8613: Childcare

FUNDING AMOUNT: $544,756

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 3.1; 

Education Assistance: Early Learning 

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will provide financial relief to child 

care providers to help defray unexpected 

business costs associated with the 

pandemic, and to help stabilize their 

operations so that Early Head Start centers 

may continue to provide care as they have 

faced increase in staff turnover and a more 

competitive job market during the 

pandemic. Funding will enhance 

recruitment efforts, by allowing potential 

scholarship to new hires to take the state 

mandated 45- hour training, as well as the 

Infant/Toddler Child Development 

Associate, that must be completed before 

entering an Early Head Start classroom. In 

addition, funding will also allow the 

organization to adjust wage rates of the 

teacher assistant and family advocate 

positions to remain competitive. This should 

include both directly operated classrooms as 

well as increasing the daily payment rate to 

subcontracting providers to pass the 

increase down to instructional staff.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Number of program participants 

completing 45 hours of training

• Number of teacher assistants 

receiving a wage increase

• Number of family advocates 

receiving a wage increase

Outcome Measures

• Number and percentage of program 

participants who qualify to receive a 

job in Early Head Start 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 28

PROJECT 8618: Childcare Services –

Academic Services

FUNDING AMOUNT: $1,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 3.3; 

Education Assistance: Academic Services 

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will provide financial relief to 

providers to help defray unexpected 

business costs associated with the 

pandemic, and to help stabilize their 

operations so that they may continue to 

provide care as they face less revenue and 

higher expenses during the pandemic. 

Funding will provide staff support to provide 

literacy, STEM, and academic supports to 

address profound learning loss. 

During the COVID-19 public health 

emergency, youth attending afterschool 

programs have demonstrated that they have 

experienced trauma and stress that impacts 

mental health. This funding will also provide 

for investments in mental health supports 

for youth via contracts for trauma-informed 

therapist(s) to treat the chronic emotional 

and behavioral issues that afflict Orange 

County youth. 

Many low-income and minority students 

were disproportionately served by remote 

or hybrid education during the pandemic, 

and lacked the resources to participate fully 

in remote schooling or live in households 

without adults available throughout the day 

to assist with online coursework. It is 

anticipated that this funding will target 

these youth. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Number receiving academic supports

• Number receiving mental health 

supports

Outcome Measures

• Number and percentage showing

improvement in academic

• Number and percentage showing

improvement in emotional and 

behavior issues 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 29

PROJECT 8609: Supporting Child/Youth 

Mental Health in Education Systems

FUNDING AMOUNT: $500,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 3.4; 

Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, 

and Mental Health Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will be utilized for an expansion of 

evidence-based practices in education 

settings for children/youth in Orange County 

experiencing social, emotional and mental 

health distress that has been exacerbated by 

COVID-19. Through partnerships with the 

University of Central Florida (UCF) and 

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), and 

private entities (Disney, Full Sail University, 

Nemours Children’s Hospital, Advent Health 

Systems, etc.) the following projects will be 

implemented:

• Virtual Reality Playground - a virtual 

reality playground in which school

aged children, ages 3-14

• CHERISH Program - promotes 

children's emotional health and 

academic readiness. 

• Sources of Strength - A best practice 

youth suicide prevention project. 

Services will be embedded in schools 

experiencing higher-incidences of mental 

health symptomology as evidenced by 

incidents of school suspensions, expulsions, 

crisis response, arrests, and psychiatric 

hospitalizations. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output measures

• Number served

• Number with increased access to 

evidence-based practices

• Increased use of Peer Leaders in 

school environments

Outcome measures 

• Improved mental health functioning 

for youth 

• Improved social and emotional 

development for young children

• Increased youth-adult connects 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 30

PROJECT 8617: Childcare Services – Aid to 

High Poverty Districts

FUNDING AMOUNT: $8,550,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 3.2; 

Healthy Childhood Environments: Child 

Care 

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will provide financial relief to child 

care providers to help defray unexpected 

business costs associated with the 

pandemic, and to help stabilize their 

operations so that they may continue to 

provide care as they face less revenue and 

higher expenses during the pandemic. 

Funding will expand access to child care 

assistance by supporting families who earn 

less than 300% of federal poverty guidelines 

and are not eligible for current School 

Readiness vouchers, provide a supplement

above the current School Readiness 

payment to offset the continued cost of 

COVID, equip child care providers with 

technology, and provide training and 

professional development opportunities to 

child care owners, early learning 

entrepreneurs, directors, family child care 

home providers, etc., aimed to strengthen 

financial skills and build business acumen in 

support of quality child care for Orange 

County’s families.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Number of child care slots provided 

to families earning less than 300% of 

federal poverty guidelines

• Number of supplements provided to 

child care centers

• Number and types of technology 

purchased

• Number of child care providers, 

directors, entrepreneurs trained

Outcome Measures

• Number and percentage of 

participants attending trainings 

• Number and percentage of child care 

providers that increased their 

enrollment
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 31

PROJECT 8616: Breakthrough

FUNDING AMOUNT: $550,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 3.8; 

Healthy Childhood Environments: Services 

to Foster Youth or Families Involved in Child 

Welfare System

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will be used to improve access to 

community-based services for youth and 

families involved in or at risk of involvement 

in Child Welfare systems due to recurrent 

psychiatric hospitalizations by providing 

“Family Navigators” (peer support service) 

and need-based financial assistance. The 

need and demand for these types of services 

and interventions has been exacerbated by 

COVID-19.

The project “Breakthrough” fosters access to 

a network of evidence-based clinical services 

for youth ages 9 to 16 with two or more 

involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations. 

Family navigation services are provided to 

each youth/family, in the community for 

approximately eighteen to twenty-four 

months, based on the needs of the family. 

Embrace Families, the lead Child Welfare 

Organization for Orange County partners on 

this project.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Number of youth and families served

• Number of youth and families with 

increased access to evidence-based

practices

• Number of youth and families 

receiving need based financial 

assistance

Outcome measures 

• Improved family functioning 

• Decreased parental stress

• Diversion from child welfare/families 

remain intact

• Reduction in psychiatric 

hospitalizations

• Improved mental health functioning 

for youth
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 32

PROJECT 8619: Childcare Services – Healthy 

Childhood

FUNDING AMOUNT: $254,500

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 3.9; 

Healthy Childhood Environments: Other

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic 

funding will be used to provide communitybased family support services to pregnant 

and parenting families. Programming will be 

designed to promote the well-being of 

children and families that will increase the 

strength and stability of families (including 

adoptive, foster, and extended families); 

increase parents’ confidence and 

competence in their parenting abilities; 

afford children a stable and supportive 

family environment; and help them to 

identify where improvement is needed and 

to obtain assistance with respect to matters 

such as child development, family 

budgeting, coping with stress, health, and 

nutrition.

Funding will improve access to such services 

via home visits and/or mobile units. 

Information and referral services will be 

provided to encourage the healthy growth, 

nutrition, and development of children age 

newborn to three. The provision of basic 

essentials will be afforded to eligible families

who are experiencing Social Determinants of 

Health that may hinder their ability to 

provide basic essentials for their children.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Number and demographics of 

individuals served (unduplicated)

Outcome Measures

• Number and percentage of 

participants will increase their 

knowledge of community resources

• Number and percentage of 

participants will increase their 

competence in parenting abilities
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 33

PROJECT 8610: Homelessness

FUNDING AMOUNT: $500,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 3.11; 

Housing Support: Services for Unhoused 

persons

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: Existing

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support an expansion of 

homeless outreach to outer areas of Orange 

County and will include case management, 

connection to medical, mental health and 

housing resources. Outreach to the more 

rural settings of Orange County has been 

identified as gaps in the continuum of care in 

homeless system. Services are rooted in 

evidence-based practices. These gaps would 

include the following projects that will 

address homelessness, medical risk and 

mental health concerns that have been 

exacerbated by COVID-19:

• HOPE Team Expansion Pilot and the

• Case Management at Drop In Center 

This project will support Orange County 

residents that are homeless and/or 

impoverished accessing resources with 

community partners. Nationally, over 50% 

of unsheltered homeless are tri-morbid. The 

goal of these projects is to connect the 

vulnerable to resources to include medical, 

housing, and other needed community 

resources as well as preventing the spread of 

COVID-19. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

• Number and demographics of 

individuals served (unduplicated)

Outcome Measures

• Number of participants housed

• Number of participants that will 

report overall improved mental 

health 

• Number of participants vaccinated

• Number of participants tested
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 34

INFRASTRUCTURE

PROJECT 8630: Bithlo Rural Area WaterPhase 1 West

FUNDING AMOUNT: $3,880,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 5.11; 

Drinking water: Transmission & distribution

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Utilities

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This project will extend water service to the 

south west portion of Bithlo Rural Area, 

south of SR 50 and west of N. 3rd Street to 

provide central water to 337 Low/Mod 

income single family residential parcels. 

The project will serve all single-family

residential parcels within the service area. 

The project area is a Low/Mod income area.

Notices of upcoming project will be 

distributed to all single-family residents of 

the project area. Community meetings will 

be held to inform residents of the project.

Community meetings will be held and, an 

email address will be provided for written 

comments.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Number of 337 Low/Mod income 

single family residential parcels

receiving central water.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 35

PROJECT 8633: Lake Downey Drive and 

Frankel Street Water Main Extension

FUNDING AMOUNT: $820,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 5.11; 

Drinking water: Transmission & distribution

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Utilities

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The project would extend water service to 

two (2) residential streets in east Orange 

County, Frankel Street and Lake Downey 

Drive. Frankel Street is located north of 

Dean Creek Lane and east of Dean Road and 

will provide central water to 15 Low/Mod 

income single family residential parcels. 

Lake Downey Drive is located south of 

Flowers Avenue and east of Dean Road and 

will provide central water to 19 Low/Mod 

income single family residential parcels.

The project will serve all single-family 

residential parcels within the service area. 

The project area is a Low/Mod income area.

Notices of upcoming project will be 

distributed to all single-family residents of 

the project area. Community meetings will 

be held to inform residents of the project.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome measures

• Making central water available to 34 

Low/Mod income single family 

residential parcels.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 36

PROJECT 8632: Mobile Broadband

FUNDING AMOUNT: $3,473,160

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 5.16; 

Broadband: “Last Mile” projects

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration/Information System and 

Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Orange County intends to make new mobile 

broadband infrastructure deployments 

where there currently are none, especially to 

areas of the County where low to moderate 

income residents live and/or work. This 

initiative will include mobile assets to 

support residents, small businesses, 

churches, assisted living facilities and/or 

municipality facilities. 

Infrastructure installations addressing these

identified areas of the County will be 

prioritized over exclusive 5G deployments 

(i.e. 4G is acceptable). It is intended for 

these mobile telecom investments to be 

placed in marginalized areas of the County 

as the installations will be expected in LMI 

designated addresses. Furthermore, it is 

expected that these same residents were 

adversely affected by the COVID-19 

pandemic, with already earning very 

low/low wages and coming from industries –

such as hospitality/tourism- which was most 

affected by the pandemic.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Closing gaps in access to education, 

health, business, or other quality of 

life aspects where tele-capabilities 

are required. 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 37

PROJECT 8631: Fixed Broadband

FUNDING AMOUNT: $6,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 5.16; 

Broadband: “Last Mile” projects

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration/Information System and 

Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Orange County intends to prioritize fixed 

broadband infrastructure deployment 

where there currently is none. This initiative 

will include main fixed assets leading directly 

to homes and/or businesses for “last mile” 

service. After new fiber and/or co-axial 

installations have been fully realized in the 

County, remaining funding will be utilized to 

target fixed asset upgrade needs throughout 

low/median income areas of the County.

The intended outcome is for every eligible 

residential address, regardless of occupation 

at the time of installation completion, to 

have “last mile” broadband infrastructure 

where there previously was no 

infrastructure. Furthermore, it is expected 

that these same residents were adversely 

affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 

already earning very low/low wages and 

coming from industries – such as 

hospitality/tourism- which was most 

affected by the pandemic. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output Measures

Outcome Measures

• Gaps in access closed
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 38

REVENUE REPLACEMENT

PROJECT 8646: Digital Infrastructure 

Upgrade

FUNDING AMOUNT: $425,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Community 

and Family Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: Yes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This project proposes an upgrade to all 

digital infrastructure at Orange County’s 12 

community centers managed by Orange 

County Community Action Division. The 

centers are one-stop centers for delivery and 

referral to social services.

The community centers are located in 

Orange County’s low-income census tracts 

and provide access to social services, 

computer labs and goods/services to 

support families. Each center will assess the 

needs of residents to ensure that desired 

services are provided and incorporated into 

the delivery of online and computer 

services. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Increase the ability of centers to provide 

digital and computer services to low 

income and underserved populations 

thereby reducing disparities in access to 

digital or online applications for services.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 39

PROJECT 0797: Fire Station #80

FUNDING AMOUNT: $6,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Administrative 

Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The project is for the construction of a 3-Bay 

Fire Station to replace the existing station 

located at 1841 Bonneville Dr, Orlando, FL 

32826. The current station is a prefabricated 

metal building constructed in 1973. This 

building has exceeded its functional lifespan 

and no longer provides an optimal working 

and living environment for first responders. 

The design for the new fire station #80 was 

funded from Orange County. The project is 

scheduled to be substantially complete by 

Spring 2023.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome measures

• Ability to provide fire rescue services 

to the residents of East Orange 

County from modern fire station.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 40

PROJECT 0798: Fire Station #32 Land 

Acquisition

FUNDING AMOUNT: $1,500,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Fire Rescue

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding for this project will allow the 

purchase of a 1.71 parcel located at Avalon 

Road and “New” Hartzog Road for the 

permanent construction of Fire Station 32. 

At present, Fire Station 32 is located and 

operating from a strip mall plaza suite.

The logic to provide emergency services to 

countywide residents and visitors is 

predicated on response metrics centered on 

population density. It is an equitable service 

delivery model that promotes evidencebased decision-making for where stations 

are located. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome measures

• Response times to the targeted district 

and complimenting network areas.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 41

PROJECT 8640: Fire Heavy Equipment 

FUNDING AMOUNT: $5,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Fire Rescue

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This project replaces heavy rolling stock 

apparatus that have exceeded operational 

life expectancy by measures of age, miles, 

and maintenance and repair. The project 

includes the purchase of (5) fire engines and 

(2) fire aerial apparatus. The designs meet 

the current configuration and model of 

OCFRD’s apparatus, lending itself to 

continuity and standardization. The 

expected timeline with the project is 

approximately (1) year from the date the 

purchase order with the vendor is finalized. 

The apparatus will be positioned throughout 

Orange County’s (43) fire stations, which 

serve a diverse and growing population. 

The design of the heavy rolling stock 

apparatus is predicated on a number of best 

practices, goals to reduce exposure to 

carcinogens, and internal stakeholders that 

made up the apparatus committee. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome measures

• (5) fire engines replaced

• (2) fire aerial apparatus replaced
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 42

PROJECT 8641: Public Works Heavy 

Equipment

FUNDING AMOUNT: $2,800,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Public Works

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Orange County has established a list of 

heavy equipment items needed for future 

ventures. With this project, funding is 

intended to bring inventory up to date 

regarding new and replacement of Heavy 

Equipment in the Roads & Drainage Division.

The Public Works department intends to 

purchase items such as milling machines, 

pavers, concrete trucks, and sweeper trucks. 

The purchase of these items will allow 

Orange County to replace equipment that 

has exceeded operational life expectancy.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome measures

• Number of equipment purchased
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 43

PROJECT 8642: Erect a County – Public 

Safety Radio Communications Tower

FUNDING AMOUNT: $1,500,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Information 

System and Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Orange County current owns and operates a 

Motorola radio communications system 

supporting public safety 1st responders and 

many other agencies throughout Orange 

County. This critical system provides 

support to law enforcement, police 

departments, fire departments, hospitals, 

Corrections, county departments, medical 

services, LYNX, O.U.C., Convention Center, 

local, state, and federal agencies, and the 

Orange County School Board. 

Funding will allow the County to secure a 

property site to erect a new 250’ to 290’ 

radio communications tower within the 

county to provide the best roaming 

coverage. The needed radio 

communications equipment will be 

purchased and installed from this fund.

Antennas and microwave dishes will also be 

installed to support connectivity to the radio 

network.

This project serves the community by 

enabling increased and improved radio 

communications for 1st Responders who 

serve the community. This project will also 

enhance communications in schools and 

provide mutual aid services for any major 

incidents at a school. The local transit 

system known as LYNX, also uses this system 

which will enhance their capacity to serve 

the citizens of Orange County.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output measures

• Obtain the necessary property to

develop and install a tower.

• Install a communications shelter.

• Install the Motorola radio equipment 

and base stations.

• Install the antennas and microwave 

dishes to connect the site to the 

existing network.

• Activate the site and test with public 

safety users.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 44

PROJECT 8643: Cyber Security 

Infrastructure Upgrade, Technology 

Security Enhancements

FUNDING AMOUNT: $4,250,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Information 

System and Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The funding will support major initiatives 

that will enhance and strengthen Orange 

County’s cyber and electronic security 

operations and infrastructure county-wide. 

The investment will greatly increase the 

County’s ability by securing access to the 

network, the ability to respond to potential 

threats, safeguard data and facilities, and 

train our current and future workforce 

through certifications and specialized 

training.

With these funds, Orange County will 

implement and enhance its current 

Information Security program to protect 

systems that all Orange County citizens rely 

on.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Output measures

• Compliance, Prevention and 

Detection for all cyber activities.

Outcome measures

• A strengthened and enhanced 

program that can monitor, detect, 

and respond with agility to cyber 

incidents.

• An informed staff on cybersecurity.

• Strengthened SCADA systems and 

networks.

• An enhanced infrastructure that is 

up-to-date with newest 

technologies.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 45

PROJECT 8644: Broadband Technology 

Literacy

FUNDING AMOUNT: $500,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration/Community and Family 

Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding for the digital literacy effort will be 

divided into two components; broadband 

technology access issues triaging 

educational campaign and in-person group 

training for small groups of residents at 

Community Action Centers. 

The public education campaign on 

broadband literacy is expected to tackle 

broadband access issues within the 

household or business’ building. The goal 

would be to teach County residents and 

small businesses some basics on improving 

their internet connections/speeds/etc. and 

other internet literacy topics. 

For in-person broadband training, the 

County will support senior residents, and 

where needed, other residents with telecapability needs, in a more thorough course 

beyond that of the public education 

campaign. 

These efforts are an attempt to support 

marginalized parts of the County’s 

population with either no formal training or 

previous access to broadband capabilities. 

Once taught how to improve performance 

(especially speeds) via the main educational 

campaign, or further taught the basics of 

access and use of broadband technologies, it 

is expected that residents will be able to 

pursue education, health, jobs, and/or other 

opportunities available through the internet.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Number of residents with access to 

working broadband infrastructure

• Number of elderly individuals that

have equitable access and a 

meaningful understanding of how to 

use the broadband infrastructure 
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 46

PROJECT 8645: Mobile hotspots and tablets

FUNDING AMOUNT: $535,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration/Information System and 

Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will allow the County to acquire 

mobile devices for citizens that were 

identified by various service providers 

throughout the County (i.e. senior citizens, 

Ryan White program patients, Head Start 

families, and/or residents pursuing 

workforce training or new job opportunities) 

that cannot access broadband available 

services because they cannot afford a 

device. 

Devices will be available, with data plans, at 

no charge to at least 3,000 unique 

households and pre-loaded with necessary 

applications and/or links to County services 

as well as complementary partners’ services.

Each device will also maintain an embedded 

application to provide updates, new service 

applications, push notifications on behalf of 

the County, and to help locate lost devices. 

This program is intended for residents who 

are the most marginalized and have 

significant health, financial and/or other 

burdens to bear. This demographic 

represents residents most adversely 

affected by the pandemic, again whether 

financially, due to health concerns or both. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Number of residents with access
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 47

PROJECT 8647: Virtual Mental Health

FUNDING AMOUNT: $1,322,715

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: County 

Administration/Human Resources

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This funding will support Orange County’s 

upcoming investments in virtual and/or 

online mental health-based technology that 

complements our employee mental 

wellbeing program, Orange County Mind 

Matters. The initiative aims to support 

employees to thrive in their positions, while 

also supporting their families, as the mental 

burdens of the pandemic continue. 

The pilot projects selected for this initial 

phase of the initiative were selected because 

if they prove successful, can be scaled for all 

employees and their families to use at low to 

no cost. These projects include:

• Immersive De-Escalating Virtual 

Environment Simulator – A Virtual 

Walk Through Nature

• OCELOT – an Empathy Learning and 

Occupational Therapy Training 

System

• Relaxzootion – a Mobile Application 

for Assisting Children with Relaxation 

and Meditation Techniques

• Professionally Curated Stress, 

Anxiety, Depression and Substance 

Abuse Reduction Resources Project

These projects aim to develop and deploy 

immersive, mixed reality-based solutions to 

learn, practice, and transfer empathyrelated cognitive, affective, and behavior 

processes in dealing with high-stress, 

dynamic real-world emergency and/or crisis 

scenarios. 

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Number of devices distributed
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 48

PROJECT 0803: Emergency Operation 

Center Renovation

FUNDING AMOUNT: $1,200,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Administrative 

Services

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding is for the renovation of the Orange 

County Emergency Operation Center. The 

renovations will include technology 

upgrades, replacing the access flooring, 

adding new furnishings and millwork, and 

providing security upgrades to the facility. 

The American Rescue Plan Act funding is 

partial funding for the project and Orange 

County is funding the balance of the project.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Continue to provide emergency 

operation services to the community 

from an updated, modern facility.
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 49

PROJECT 8648: Dr. Phillips Front Yard 

Festival

FUNDING AMOUNT: $500,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Arts and 

Cultural Affairs

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support the nonprofit Dr. 

Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and 

the outdoor Front Yard Festival. The 

investment will allow them to keep the 

temporary performance space with 

distanced seating and COVID-mindful safety 

protocols going through December 2021. 

The Front Yard Festival performances have 

and will continue to include performers and 

content reflective of our diverse community 

and to offer the cultural stimulus and balm 

that is desperately needed in our community 

and to employ hundreds of arts workers and 

creatives.

The Front Yard Festival will host FusionFest 

with its emphasis on diversity and many 

other diverse offerings. With increased 

safety measures in place from C.A.R.E.S. 

funds, the investment of the A.R.P.A. funds, 

will allow the Front Yard Festival to continue 

to serve our populace is the safest way 

possible

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Attendance at performances

• diverse nature of offerings
ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA 2021 ARPA RECOVERY PLAN 50

PROJECT 8649: Art Agency Assistance

FUNDING AMOUNT: $1,000,000

PROJECT EXPENDITURE CATEGORY: 6.1; 

Provision of Government Services

MANAGING DEPARTMENT: Arts and 

Cultural Affairs

EXISTING OR NEW PROJECT: New

IN A QUALIFIED CENSUS TRACT: No

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Funding will support nonprofit arts 

organizations who were the first to close and 

the last to reopen. The investment will allow 

them to keep from folding and to offer the 

cultural stimulus and balm that is 

desperately needed in our community and 

to employ hundreds of arts workers and 

creatives.

The goal is to bring employment and 

attendance levels back to pre-COVID levels

so the arts and cultural community can once 

again begin to serve our populace.

USE OF EVIDENCE

Outcome Measures

• Attendance at performances