Exchange Club Family Center child abuse prevention grant

This ordinance appropriates $204,000 from General Fund debt interest savings to fund the FY 26-27 Exchange Parent Aide Program operated by the Northeast Florida Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Inc. It was co-introduced by CM Carlucci at the request of the Mayor, with CM Clark-Murray as co-sponsor — but it arrived at Finance having already failed the Rules Committee 3-4 (Gay, Boylan, Lahnen, Salem dissenting) and been deferred by NCSPHS 3-2 (Miller, Salem dissenting). The program is described as an evidence-based, voluntary child abuse and neglect prevention initiative; funding covers personnel, occupancy, travel, and direct client expenses. The bill also waives Sec. 118.107 to allow a direct contract rather than a competitive award process. The pre-committee opposition pattern makes this the Finance Committee's most politically fraught item.