DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
FY 2018 Child Care Services Program Budget Revision
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of a total of $5,469,833.00 in additional grant funding for the City’s FY 2018 Child Care Services (CCS) Program and associated grant and contract related actions, including:
a) $3,185,722.00 in Child Care Services grant funds from Workforce Solutions Alamo for the period of October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2018;
b) $2,284,111.00 in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Child Care Services funding for the period of October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2018;
c) a total revised CCS program budget of $56,607,544.00, including a revised in-kind match of up to $3,707,243.00 and $40,000.00 from program income; and
d) approval for the Director of the Department of Human Services to execute grant contract amendments related to carry - over funds, line item budget revisions, modifications to performance measures, no cost extensions, supplemental grant funds in an amount up to 20% of the total amount awarded; reimbursement increases or decreases due to a change in the number of participants served; one-time equipment purchases or defined program services; and changes in regulations.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For over 26 years, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has managed the CCS program in Bexar County and 13 surrounding rural counties comprising the Alamo Workforce Development Areas. The program provides subsidized childcare for families meeting income and other qualification requirements.
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers the State’s subsidized childcare program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Child Care Development Block Grant. TWC determines the allocation for childcare services based on federal appropriations, local needs, and contracts with Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA), the local workforce development board, to implement the program. Through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, WSA awards contracts with local agencies to provide program services.
In response to an RFP released by WSA on March 13, 2017, DHS submitted a grant application on April 12, 2017. On June 16, 2017, DHS was notified of an initial grant award for $47,390,468.00 for the period of October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018 for a total program budget of $51,068,525.00 including an in-kind match of up to $3,638,057.00 and $40,000.00 from program income. In September 2017, acceptance of the grant, a program budget, and a personnel complement of 61 positions was approved by City Council through Ordinance 2017-09-21-692.
In Fiscal Year 2017, the CCS program served an average of 8,500 children on a daily basis. As of March 14, 2018 there are currently 5,328 children on a waitlist to receive subsidized childcare. The CCS program has experienced an increase in intake in children that are required to be served by the grant. These children include, children currently or formerly in the Child Protective Services system, children of parents eligible for the Choices, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, and Employment and Training programs. Due to the increase in need, DHS became eligible to accept additional grant funding.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of additional grant funding of $3,185,722.00 from WSA and $2,284,111.00 from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services funding for the period from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018 which will increase required program in-kind match funding amount from $3,638,057 to $3,707,243 and increase the CCS program budget from $51,068,525 to $56,607,544.
This ordinance also authorizes 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 up to a limit of 20% of the grant, if awarded and matching funds are available in the City’s budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should authority to accept additional funding not be approved, additional children requiring child care services will not be served, and a portion of children currently in the Child Care Services Program will be subject to early termination of services. Such an action would negatively impact children and families in the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Child Care Services program provides subsidized child care for families meeting income and other qualification requirements for the period of October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018 and will fund a personnel complement of 61 DHS positions. This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of additional funds in the amount of $5,469,833 for a total budget of $52,860,301 and an increase to the in-kind match in the amount of $69,186 for a total of $3,707,243.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing revised budgetary, grant and contract related items for the FY 2018 CCS Program.