Ohio rejects $1.6M for MYCAP programs

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

alcorn@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

An embattled Mahoning County community services agency can neither hire a new director nor apply for $1.6 million in public funding until its board of directors receives training in ethics and program administration.

The Ohio Department of Development, which has been investigating the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership for nearly a year, said MYCAP’s proposed projects for 2010-2011 are not being approved.

Those include $423,331 for youth nutrition services.

Katie Sabatino, ODOD spokeswoman, said rejected projects total $1,601,675 and include:

$397,660 for employment support in the form of child care;

$231,564 for youth-enrichment services;

$37,265 for training and technical assistance

$1,000 for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program

MYCAP is a nonprofit agency that administers 11 programs in Mahoning County to help poor and disadvantaged people.

Its programs include Head Start, the Home Weatherization Assistance Program, the Women’s Infants’ and Children’s program and the Community Services Block Grant.

The CSBG provides funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to agencies to use to reduce poverty.

Sabatino said ODOD approved Progressive Resources to provide training to MYCAP board members. She said the MYCAP Board governance and CSBG training will occur in September, or before Oct. 3, and that a revised 2010-2011 CSBG application for $1.6 million will be submitted by Nov. 2.

In a June 30 communication with MYCAP, the state development agency said MYCAP is the “largest Ohio Community Services Block Grant recipient for which virtually no stand-alone CSBG services are provided to the community.”

Further, according to the ODOD letter, projects proposed submitted by MYCAP were “vague and reported project outcomes were insufficient.”

MYCAP did not demonstrate the need for grant dollars for the projects, and the agency’s proposed budget and performance target “lacked detailed and essential financial and out come information.”

Fallout from the investigation led to the firing of former executive director Richard Roller III in May.

The organization advertised for an executive director to replace Roller. The deadline for applicants was July 14.

ODOD said, however, it would be “premature to make any decisions on selecting a new executive director” until the required board training is completed.

In January, ODOD issued a preliminary report on its review of MYCAP financial records for possible misuse of funds, nepotism, conflict of interest and a number of other issues, including weatherization work done at Roller’s home.

State agency officials said the investigation is winding down, but there is no firm date for a final report.