Mission Statement

The Division of Public Social Services & Community Resource Centers strives to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Escambia County. This is accomplished through the provision of a variety of community-based programs and initiatives that encourage participation of all Escambia County citizens. Partnerships with non-profit organizations, and other agencies that provide public social services/community-based programs are maintained, in an effort to provide efficient and quality services to the public. 

FY 2017-2018 Accomplishments

Community Centers

• Ten additional Chromebooks were purchased as an enhancement to the after school programs at the Ebonwood and Brownsville Community Centers.
• Job Readiness Workshops were held at the Brownsville Community Resource Center.
• Back-to-school supplies were distributed, in partnership with GSI Recycling, for students participating in the Play, Learn, Grow Summer Camp program held at the Ebonwood Community Center.
• The Ebonwood Community Center Seniors Program offered activities including arts and crafts, creative writing, book discussions and computer classes. The program also hosted healthcare programs, community outreach programs, recreation and fitness classes as well free income tax completion and filing services.
• The Wedgewood Community Center Group, Inc., in cooperation with the Council on Aging of West Florida, provided oversight of the Marie K. Young/Wedgewood Community Center Seniors Program.
• The Englewood Neighborhood Center, in partnership with the Girl Scout Council of Northwest Florida, Inc., served as host for a local Girl Scout Troop.
• The Escambia County Play, Learn, Grow After School Program provided a safe and fun environment for local youth during after school hours. This free program served as a supplement to students both academically and through recreation, with a main goal of assisting in decreasing the school drop-out rate through homework assistance and project-based learning

Youth Programs

• The Play, Learn, Grow After School Program held its annual Black History Month Program on Feb. 22, 2018 at the Brownsville Community Resource Center. The program featured local youth talent and included music, dancing and exhibits celebrating Black History Month.
• The first Holiday Youth Extravaganza was held in the Brownsville Community Resource Center on Dec. 16, 2017. This annual event showcased the talents of local youth and was free to the public.
• The Extra Mile/Str8-Up continued to host an after school/teen program at the Dorrie Miller Community Center. Along with providing homework assistance, the Extra Mile/Str8-Up continued its effort to assist youth in acquiring summer employment.
• “The Youth Connection” After School Program was hosted at the Ebonwood Community Center in partnership with Community Drug and Alcohol Council, Inc., with snacks and materials provided by GSI Recycling and the Ebonwood Homeowner & Neighborhood Watch Community Inc. The program serviced an average of 42 youth per day.
• The Escambia County Play, Learn, Grow Summer Program provided summer programming that focused on the educational, social and recreational enrichment for school-age youth who reside in Escambia County. The program provided a safe and structured environment that stimulated and encouraged youth to continue learning in a fun and engaging manner during the summer months. 
• The Brownsville Community Resource Center was the host site for the Fifth Annual Play, Learn, Grow Summer Camp. The camp serviced a daily average of 140 participants and served 8,500 breakfast and lunch meals.
• Ebonwood Community Center, in partnership with Oakcrest Elementary School, GSI Recycling and the Ebonwood Homeowner & Neighborhood Watch Community Inc., served as a host site for Play, Learn, Grow activities and Summer Feeding Program, serving a daily average of 165 youth and providing youth with 8,250 meals. Oakcrest Elementary provided their cafeteria and playground area, with GSI Recycling providing snacks and materials for the program. 

Public Social Services

• The distribution of Board of County Commissioner funds for aids to private organizations is handled in collaboration with the United Way of Escambia County, Inc. Through the United Way of Escambia County's Community Investments to Improve Lives process, volunteers review applications, tour nonprofit agencies, and listen to oral presentations to determine where county resources are invested in collaborative work that benefits citizens. Escambia County provided $90,725 in funding for this initiative.