DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City wide
SUBJECT:
Head Start Grant Application and Provider Contracts
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) requests authorization of the following budgetary, grant and associated contract actions related to a grant application for the City's Head Start program:
a) submission of a grant application to HHS and acceptance upon award of an amount up to $20,671,248.00 for the period of February 1, 2014 - January 31, 2015;
b) a budget, including an in-kind match up to $5,167,812.00, and a personnel complement of 87 positions for DHS;
c) negotiation and execution of four service provider contracts for the period of February 1, 2014 - January 31, 2015 in an amount up to $14,753,712;
d) authority to negotiate and execute contract amendments based on additional HHS awards; and
e) authority to negotiate and execute Memorandums of Understanding to collaborate with agencies as required by Head Start Act
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Head Start program is a federally funded early childhood education and development program administered by HHS. The program provides education and family support services to children between the ages of three and five. The City of San Antonio Head Start program provides high quality program services to 2,861 children and their families in 26 Head Start centers located in San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) and Edgewood Independent School District (EISD).
The City of San Antonio has served as a grantee for the Head Start Program for over 30 years. Prior to July 1, 2013, the City had been the single grantee for San Antonio and Bexar County, serving 6,789 children in twelve school districts. After going through a nation-wide grant re-competition process that began in 2011, the City became one of six grantees in Bexar County.
The City provides direct program management, oversight, governance, family support and mental wellness services and contracts with SAISD and EISD for the provision of educational services; Metropolitan Health District for dental services; and University Health System for health services. Memorandums of Understanding with Local with Local Education Agencies, Early Head Start programs, and Early Childhood Intervention programs ensure close collaboration with other community stakeholders.
ISSUE:
On September 4, 2013, the City received notification from HHS of available funding in the amount of $20,671,248.00 for the period of February 1, 2014 - January 31, 2015. This ordinance authorizes budgetary, grant, and contract related items to ensure continuation of Head Start program services for the period of February 1, 2014 - January 31, 2015. Funding will provide for the City's operational costs and provision of direct family and community support and mental wellness services, including a personnel complement of 87 positions, and service provider operations. The City is adding 21 new family and community support positions in order to complete the transition of direct family and community support services from a contractor agency to the City, which began in the 2013-2014 school year. DHS is also requesting authority to execute contracts with Head Start service providers in an amount up to $14,753,712 to ensure uninterrupted services, subsequent contract amendments, and required Memorandums of Understanding.
The grant application is due to HHS on November 1, 2014. This application was presented to and approved by the Head Start Policy Council and Educational Excellence Committee on October 8, 2013 and October 15, 2013, respectively. Awarded grant funds for the 2014-2015 Program Year will provide for the continuation of the Head Start Program services and the City's policy of enhancing early childhood education.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this grant application is not submitted, or potentially awarded funds not accepted, HHS would need to identify another agency to provide Head Start services in the SAISD and EISD service areas, which would delay the provision of services to the community and negatively impact children and families.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the contracts will be allocated from the Head Start grant. Funds granted through the grant application will be used to pay for a total of 87 DHS positions. The grant requires an in-kind match of 20%, or $5,167,812.00, which will be provided by the City and contracted Service Providers. The total Head Start program budget, including the match, will be up to $25,839,060.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award; a budget and personnel complement; negotiation and execution of four contracts with Head Start service providers; and authority to execute contract amendments, and required Memorandums of Understanding.