We hope this website is useful in understanding and appreciating the broad spectrum of activities and programs the Department provides to assist our residents and community needs.

The Department of Human Services provides both direct and in-direct services in our community. We are the lead agency in the community to provide direct emergency assistance. Over the past year, we have seen a 25% increase in the number of residents seeking assistance as compared to the previous year. One of our objectives is to secure as many Federal and State grants as possible to be used as additional community resources such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program administered by the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

Additionally, the County provides non-entitlement funds for emergency basic needs assistance. Many of the residents who contacted our office received a reduction in their work hours or were laid off and exhausted their unemployment benefits. We anticipate these numbers to climb as unemployment increases in our area. The Department coordinates with the United Way 211 and community not-for-profit organizations to expend access to Federal and State financial resources before we tap local resources be they local government funding or donations.

In conferencing with other counties throughout the State, I continually hear from them Lee County is unique in its partnership between the local government, our United Way, and our not-for-profit organizations. Our collaboration and coordination stretches our financial and human resources in the community. In these challenging times, this coordination of resources is even more important because of the economic downturn in our county and country.

The Department of Human Services is committed to providing community leadership through the funding, coordination, and enhancement of various initiatives to help the community identify needs, increase awareness of services, and increase collaboration between local service partners.

I am proud of the work accomplished by the dedicated staff in the Department who continually strive to exceed their objectives and go beyond what their "job" requires. It is their dedication and support that produces the accomplishments reflected throughout our website. We thank our partner not-for-profit organizations for their community service and especially our Human Services Council whose members volunteer their time and talent to provide guidance and direction for our community needs.

Sincerely,
 

Ann M. Arnall 

Ann M. Arnall, Director

Lee County Department of Human Services