Media Preview: Orange County Board of County Commissioners Meeting | January 27, 2026

Presentations:
Proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month
Proclamation designating February 6, 2026, as School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
Proclamation recognizing January as Poverty Awareness Month
Sculpture on the Lawn Presentation

Consent Agenda
Item D-5: Behavioral Health Evaluations for Orange County Fire Rescue
This item calls for the selection of a firm to provide behavioral health evaluations for Orange County Fire Rescue (OCFR). A health professional will perform assessments of current mental state, work- and home-related stress, and a review of available resources to provide further support for mental wellness. The goal is to offer an initial baseline mental health evaluation that will supplement the behavioral health program within OCFR. Action requested: selection of Central Florida Psychological Counseling, Inc. to provide behavioral health evaluations for Orange County Fire Rescue for $644,000 through September 30, 2026, and BCC authorization to renew the contract for an additional one-year term. (Orange County Fire Rescue)

Items D-6 and D-7: Career Exploration Opportunities for Orange County Youth
These items seek approval to add $1.25 million to existing partnerships with two nonprofit organizations that provide career exploration opportunities for youth. The partner agencies are CareerSource Central Florida, which will receive an additional $800,000, and the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, which will receive $450,000. The funds will support paid internships, career training, and other immersive employment experiences that expose students and young adults to careers aligned with their interests. Action requested: approval of an additional $1.25 million to existing partnerships with CareerSource Central Florida and the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools to support career-exploration opportunities for youth. (Community and Family Services.)

Item F-2: CDBG-DR Funding to Deliver Public Services Related to Disaster Resilience
Through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program (CDBG-DR), Orange County will partner with community organizations to deliver public services across all districts. This item calls for approval of three agreements that will provide disaster resilience outreach for people experiencing homelessness; relief programs that support self-sufficiency and recovery; and mental health services. In the next few years, a total of $2.47 million in CDBG-DR funding will be awarded to ten (10) local nonprofit partners to fund a variety of disaster recovery services. Action requested: approval of Public Services Subrecipient Agreements between Orange County and 1) Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc., for $275,000; 2) Hispanic Federation, Inc., for $300,000; and 3) Hope Community Center, Inc., for $275,000. (Housing and Community Development)

Item F-7: CDBG-DR Funding for Public Services Provided by Nonprofit Agencies
This item seeks approval of some $1.5 million to twenty (20) local nonprofit agencies to provide services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income residents for job training and placement, shelters, housing, and prevention services for the homeless. Funding sources are the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs. Action requested: Approval of agreements between Orange County and select public service agencies regarding the CDBG Program for $980,165, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program, for $604,195 for FY 2025-2026 (Housing and Community Development Division)

Discussion Agenda:
Item B-1 Financial Empowerment Center Update
In January 2024, the Board approved $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to launch the Orange County Financial Empowerment Center, which provides free financial counseling to residents. The program supports individuals and families working to recover from economic hardship and build long-term financial stability. This presentation shares results from the Center’s first year. This item is for informational purposes only; no action is requested. (Community and Family Services Department)

Media Notes:

• A link to the FULL agenda can be found here: https://ocfl.box.com/s/mxj0y7uw6oecgk65ei6u47j9096dacnf
  (*To view the supporting documents for agenda items, open the agenda, and next to each agenda item, you will see a set of underscored numbers in the left column. Click on those numbers, and you will be directed to the Orange County Comptroller’s website, where you may view the documents.

• If you need to access more documents mentioned in the agenda, please email PIO@ocfl.net for assistance.
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