DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
2016-2017 Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Contract Agreements
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) requests authorization to execute several agreements, in the amount of $1,504,760, related to the 2016-2017 Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership continuation application for the period of August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017:
a) Education service provider contract with Ella Austin Community Center in an amount of $439,040.00;
b) Education service provider contract with Healy Murphy Center, Inc. in an amount of $384,160.00;
c) Education service provider contract with Inman Christian Center in an amount of $192,080.00;
d) Education service provider contract with Seton Home in an amount of $137,200.00;
e) Education service provider contract with YWCA - Olga Madrid CDC in an amount of $137,200.00;
f) Education service provider contract with Blessed Sacrament Academy Child Development Center in an amount of $192,080.00;
g) Health service provider contract with University Health System in an amount of $10,000.00;
h) Dental service provider contract with San Antonio Metropolitan Health District in an amount of $13,000.00;
i) Contract amendments to the 8 service provider contracts based on program improvements and/or additional awards so long as grant funds are available; and
j) Memoranda of Understanding to collaborate with community agencies as required by the Head Start Act.
DHS also requests authorization to amend the 2015-2016 Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Funding Application revising the in-kind contribution to $607,200 to reflect actual activity for the period of February 1, 2015-July 31, 2016.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) program is federally funded and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Head Start and EHS-CCP provide early education, family support, and support services to eligible children between the ages of six weeks and five years, and their families. DHS has served as a grantee for the Head Start Program for over 35 years and as an EHS-CCP grantee for 18 months.
The EHS-CCP program serves children at or below the Federal Poverty Level and prioritizes enrollment for the most vulnerable, including those with disabilities, those that are homeless and children in the foster care system. The program services a total of 216 funded slots for infants and toddlers within the inner city. As the program grantee, DHS provides direct program management, oversight, technical assistance, governance, family support, and mental wellness services and contracts with six child care centers for the provision of education services; the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District for dental services; and University Health system for health services. Memorandums of Understanding with Local Education Agencies, Early Head Start programs, and Early Childhood Intervention programs helps the City maintain close collaboration with community stakeholders.
On March 11, 2016, the City received notification from HHS to apply for the continuation application. On April 28, 2016, DHS received City Council authorization, through Ordinance 2016-04-28-0300, to submit the application to HHS and accept grant funds in the amount of $2,656,800.00 for the period August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017. Awarded grant funds for the 2016-2017 Program Year will provide for the continuation of EHS-CCP program services.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes DHS to execute service provider agreements with Ella Austin, Healy Murphy, Inman Christian, Seton Home, YWCA-Olga Madrid, Blessed Sacrament Academy Child Development Center, University Health System, and the Metropolitan Health District in a cumulative amount not to exceed $1,504,760.00 for a term of August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017. Funding will provide for the provision of high quality early education, health, and dental services during the 2016 - 2017 EHS - CCP Program school year.
This ordinance also authorizes DHS to amend the 2015-2016 Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Funding Application revising the in-kind contribution to $607,200 to reflect actual activity for the period of February 1, 2015-July 31, 2016.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this ordinance is not approved, DHS would need to procure other agencies to provide Early Head Start-Child Care services in the designated service areas within Edgewood Independent School District and San Antonio Independent School District. This would delay the provision of services to the community and may negatively impact currently enrolled children and families.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of eight Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Service Provider contracts in a cumulative amount not to exceed $1,504,760.00 for the period of August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017 which will be funded utilizing the 2016-2017 Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Grant.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing execution of the eight contract items related to the 2016-2017 Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership continuation application.