DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
FY 2018 Child Care Services Program
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a Child Care Services (CCS) grant application in the amount of $46,242,717.00, for the period of October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018, to Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) for the purpose of managing the CCS program in the 13 County Alamo Workforce Development Area. The grant requires an in-kind match of up to $3,665,255.00 funded by the City’s General Fund Budget and $40,000.00 in program income, provided by the City of San Antonio, if awarded.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For 24 years, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has managed the CCS program in the current 12 county Alamo Workforce Development Area. The program provides subsidized child care for families meeting income and other qualification requirements. In Fiscal Year 2016, the CCS program served an average of 9,466 children ages 0-12 on a daily basis through 645 contract child care vendors. As of March 13, 2017, there were over 4,000 children on a waiting list to receive subsidized childcare.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers the State’s subsidized child care program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Child Care Development Block Grant. TWC determines the allocation for child care services based on federal appropriations, local needs, and contracts with WSA, the local workforce development board, to implement the program. Through a competitive RFP process, WSA awards contracts with local agencies to provide program services.
On March 13, 2017, WSA issued a Request for Proposals for Fiscal Year 2018. As of July 1, 2017, McMullen County will be added to the Alamo Workforce Development Area for an increase to 13 total Counties. The grant application is due to Workforce Solutions Alamo on April 12, 2017. If awarded, DHS will manage the CCS program in the 13 county Alamo Workforce Development Area.
ISSUE:
The City of San Antonio Department of Human Services proposes to submit a grant application in the amount of $46,242,717.00 for the period of October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. If awarded, the grant requires an in-kind match of $3,665,255.00, which would continue to be provided from the City of San Antonio General Fund expenditures that support early childhood and after school delegate agency contracts.
Funding will provide for operational costs and direct child care subsidies payments to child care vendors. The DHS CCS program staff will support client services, reception, call center, provider technical assistance, and provider quality functions. If awarded, DHS will request City Council approval to accept the award and authorization of a budget and personnel complement in September 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should City Council not approve submission, DHS will not submit an application and WSA will award funding to another agency to provide child care services to the Alamo Workforce Board Area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a Child Care Services (CCS) grant application in the amount of $46,242,717.00, for the period of October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018, to Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) for the purpose of managing the CCS program in the 13 County Alamo Workforce Development Area. The grant requires an in-kind match of up to $3,665,255.00 funded by the City’s General Fund Budget and $40,000.00 in program income, provided by the City of San Antonio, if awarded. Upon award, the Department of Human Services will request City Council approval to accept awarded funds, a program budget and personnel complement.
The City’s In-kind match of $3,665,255.00 is included in the FY 2017 general fund budget. These funds are allocated to delegate agencies that provide early childhood and after school services.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval to submit an application to WSA for the Management of Child Care Services Program.