Fulton demands $18K back from YouthPride for failure to provide services

“YouthPride, Inc./ EVOLVE! Counseling and Suicide Prevention program failed to perform services as outlined in Article II of their 2011-2012 Housing and Human Services Department F.R.E.S.H. Grant Contract,” McRae said.

“Therefore, pursuant to Article III of the contract, Fulton County Government is currently seeking reimbursement of funds. As such, YouthPride, Inc. is not eligible to receive future funding from the F.R.E.S.H. and Human Services Grants Programs until the reimbursement has been made,” she added.

McRae said Fulton County is seeking reimbursement of $18,703.08 of the $40,000 grant. She added that YouthPride failed to provide proof of serving 42 clients residing in Fulton County Commission District 6 that were contracted to be served and also failed to provide proof of expending the total grant award of $40,000.

“Contract compliance for grant funded programs is determined through performance measure reporting and grant compliance site visits,” McRae said.

“In the event that YouthPride, Inc., does not remit the reimbursement of F.R.E.S.H. Grant funds, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners may authorize the Fulton County Attorney to take legal action against the agency,” she added.

Terence McPhaul, executive director of YouthPride, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

YouthPride has faced serious financial straits for the past two years. At the end of 2011, McPhaul stated the Atlanta-based agency serving LGBTQ youth needed $40,000 immediately or it would be forced to close. Since then the agency has managed to survive although it has been evicted from two locations for non-payment of rent and facing scrutiny for operating without a five-member board of directors as required by its bylaws.

McPhaul recently sent out emails to potential donors stating YouthPride “prevented 22 suicides in 2012. Additionally, 63 youth were matched with stable, safe housing.” He does not provide numbers to back this information up, however.

According to McRae, the F.R.E.S.H. Grant funding was to be divided up like this: direct services $27,200; operational $12,800; administrative $0.

The F.R.E.S.H. Grant funds were supposed to serve 62 clients that reside in Fulton County Commission District 6.

Other F.R.E.S.H. grant requirements:

The YouthPride, Inc., EVOLVE! Counseling and Suicide Prevention was required the District 6 F.R.E.S.H. Grant be broken up this way:

• $20,200 toward salary of a counselor

• $2,700 for support staff

$12,200 toward space rental

• $1,000 for program incentives such as food and refreshments, and for transportation costs for youth to access services

• $1,200 for marketing the program

• $1,000 used for brochures

• $600 for utilities

• $500 for employee travel to provide education and/or services and/or to receive training or effect services to youth

• $600 for supplies.