DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership Grant Applications
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) requests authorization of the following budgetary, grant and associated actions related to two funding applications to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership program:
a) submission of a Balance of Funds application to HHS, and acceptance upon award, of an amount up to $1,620,000.00 for the period of February 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016;
b) submission of a Supplemental Funding application to HHS, and acceptance upon award, of an amount up to $1,019,411.00 for the period of February 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016;
c) a revised program budget of $7,310,264, including an in-kind match of up to $1,462,053, and a revised personnel complement for the Early Head Start program of 19 positions for DHS; and
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, if awarded and matching funds are available in the City’s budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For over 20 years, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has managed both the Child Care Services and Head Start program grants. These programs provide early care and education and support services to more than 11,000 children and their families on a daily basis.
On April 2, 2015, through ordinance 2015-04-02-0232, City Council authorized DHS to apply for and accept grant funding in the amount of $3,208,800, for the period of February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP). Through this partnership, DHS serves 216 low-income infants and toddlers within the inner-city. Early Head Start is a HHS funded early childhood education and development program for low-income families with infants and toddlers (ages 6 weeks to 35 months).
The EHS - CCP program supports a two-generation strategy by allowing parents to work or remain in school while providing access to high-quality early childhood education and care for very young children. As grantee, DHS provides program management, oversight, governance, family support and mental wellness services and contracts with five child care centers to provide direct program services: Ella Austin Community Center, Healy-Murphy Center, Inc., Inman Christian Center, Miller Child Development Center, and Young Women’s Christian Association. DHS also partners with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and University Health System to provide health and dental services to enrolled children.
On May 12, 2015, the City received HHS notification of additional available funding for the remaining six months of the 18 month EHS - CCP program implementation period. Grant applications are due to HHS on October 1, 2015. Awarded grant funds for the 2015-2016 Program Year will provide for the continuation of Early Head Start Program services. Policy Council approved these grant applications on August 25, 2015.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a Balance of Funds application to HHS, and acceptance upon award, in an amount up to $1,620,000.00 for the period of February 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016. This is in addition to the $3,208,800.00 the City accepted from HHS on April 2, 2015.
This ordinance also authorizes the submission of a Supplemental Funds application to HHS, and acceptance upon award, in an amount up to $1,019,411.00 for the period of February 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016. Through requested Supplemental Funding, the EHS - CCP program will add teachers and substitute teachers and implement child care facility and technology improvements to ensure all child care centers meet Federal Early Head Start Performance Standards. This ordinance also authorizes DHS to accept additional grant funds should they become available and required match funds are available.
This ordinance further authorizes a revised total Early Head Start program budget of $7,310,264.00; including an in-kind match of up to $1,462,053.00 and personnel complement of 19 positions, including two new positions to enhance family support and program management.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this ordinance is not approved, HHS would identify another agency to provide Early Head Start services. This may delay the provision of services to the community and negatively impact currently enrolled children and families.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Contractual funding will be allocated from the Early Head Start/Child Care Services partnership grant. The grant requires an in-kind match of 20%, or $1,462,053.00. The total Early Head Start program budget, including the match, will be up to $7,310,264.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing submission of grant applications and acceptance of funds, upon award, and a revised program budget and personnel complement.