DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 2, Council District 5
SUBJECT:
Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grant Award
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services requests authorization of the following actions related to a grant award for an Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership:
a) acceptance of a grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $4,011,000.00 for the period February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016; which includes $3,208,800.00 in Federal Share and $802,200.00 in Non Federal share;
b) a budget, including an in-kind match up to $802,200.00, and a revised personnel complement for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs including 17 new positions for DHS;
c) execution of seven service provider contracts, for the period of February 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016, in a cumulative amount not to exceed $1,621,500.00;
d) approval for the Director of the Department of Human Services to execute any and all documents related to acceptance of this grant, to include acceptance of additional grant funds in an amount up to 20% of the total amount initially awarded;
e) negotiation and execution of contract amendments, so long as grant funds are available, for the purpose of allocating additional funding for program start-up costs and to implement program improvements; and
f) negotiation and execution of Memoranda of Understanding to collaborate with community organizations in order to enhance EHS-CCP services.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For over 20 years, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has managed the Child Care Services program which provides subsidized childcare for working families in the 12-county region of the Alamo Workforce Development Area. DHS has also served as a grantee for the Head Start Program for over 30 years. Through these programs, approximately 11,120 children and their families are provided with early education and care daily.
On June 6, 2014, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of approximately $500 million to be competitively awarded to expand access to Early Head Start (EHS) and Child Care Services (CCS) programs through the Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP). Early Head Start is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funded early childhood education and development program for low-income families with infants and toddlers (ages 6 weeks to 35 months). EHS provides children with safe and enriching learning environments to promote physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development while supporting parents and families by addressing social and economic needs through customized case management and supports. The EHS - CCP supports a two-generation strategy by allowing parents to work or remain in school while providing access to high-quality early childhood education and child care.
On August 20, 2014, through ordinance #2014-08-14-0579, City Council approved a grant application to HHS to serve 216 infants and toddlers through an EHS-CCP project. The project integrates EHS with CCS partner providers within the San Antonio and Edgewood Independent School Districts, including the Eastside Promise Neighborhood Zone, to expand services for children and families and improve the overall quality of CCS partner providers.
ISSUE:
On February 10, 2015, DHS received a Notice of Award in the amount of $3,208,800.00 from HHS, which included $552,000.00 in start-up funding and $388,800.00 for training and technical assistance. Through this grant award, DHS will establish an EHS - CCP program based on the City's current Head Start Model.
DHS will partner with five current non-profit CCS program providers to expand access to high-quality comprehensive services for 216 low-income infants and toddlers and their families: Ella Austin Community Center, Healy-Murphy Center, Inc., Inman Christian Center, Miller Child Development Center, and Young Women's Christian Association of San Antonio, Texas. DHS will also partner with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and University Health System to provide health and dental services to enrolled children. DHS family support workers will provide case management and comprehensive family support and career services. Start-up funding will be allocated to service providers for facility and equipment improvements to ensure all partnering sites are in compliance with applicable regulations and operational within 18 months of grant acceptance. Enrollment into Early Head Start will begin in June 2015, with full enrollment of the 216 allocated slots by August 2015.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this ordinance is not approved, HHS would need to identify an alternate grantee to provide EHS-CCP services within the San Antonio and Edgewood Independent School Districts, including the Eastside Promise Neighborhood Zone.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of a grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $4,011,000.00 annually, for the period of February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016, of which $3,208,800.00 is Federal Share and $802,200.00 is Non-Federal Share; a budget, including an in-kind match up to $802,200.00, and a personnel complement of 17 positions to add to the current 91 positions for DHS Head Start.
The in-kind match of 20% ($802,200) will be provided by the City and contracted providers. There is no anticipated impact to the general fund as a result of these actions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance which requests authorization of budgetary, grant and associated contract actions related to a grant award for the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grant Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.