The United Way of Volusia and Flagler Counties has accounted the programs it will fund for the next two years after dealing with a shortfall and organizational structure changes.

  • United Way of Volusia-Flagler announces program funding
  • Some programs get 1st funds, others see funding cut
  • Funds will be distributed for next 2 years

Some programs are getting funding for the first time, and other programs were notified Wednesday that their funding was cut.

For the first time, Dixie Morgese's Healthy Start program is about to get thousands of dollars she has been waiting for from United Way.

"It was hard, we were using money any way we could to have someone here," said Morgese, who is the executive director of Healthy Start.

Morgese's agency heads up two locations in Volusia County. It provides a number of services and a space to work with parents and families in needs, but she said they weren't able to have full-time service.

The agency will now receive United Way's community impact dollars, which should help extend services.

"Right now, we've only been able to be open a very minimal amount of time each day, so we're going to open to the public full time each day and every day and probably do a couple evening hours," Morgese said. "Now, we'll actually be able to help them full time and it'll be adequately staffed."

United Way's new community impact model requires all programs to align with education, financial stability and health. The organization has an open funding competitive process that used to be closed.

For about 15 years, the CEO said no new programs could apply.

More than 50 were screened for eligibility and only 30 Flagler and Volusia programs were selected. A couple of years ago, the organization said it was able to fund 48 programs.

"One of the biggest reasons is we had $3.4 million in requests and only had $1.4 million to distribute," said Dennis Burns, CEO and president of United Way of Volusia and Flagler Counties.

United Way decided to create a new certified partner agency program to help those who didn't receive the funding.

"That's $2 million on unmet need, which means they're going to have to find that somewhere or the need will continue to worsen and weaken the community," Burns said.

Morgese and Burns said it's the donations to United Way that can help.

"Every time I hear of the agencies that weren't able to get their funding, I really feel for them, too," Morgese said. "While I'm really grateful ... we're really grateful for the people that give to United Way. And we hope they're able to raise funds in the future to be able to fund everyone that applies."

Morgese said her agency's program will receive $50,000. Funding will begin to be distributed July 1.