DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Head Start Briefing Items
SUMMARY:
This item presents the following from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs for briefing without action required:
1. Briefing on the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Five Year Grant Application
2. Briefing on the EHS-CCP Parent Engagement Survey Update
3. Briefing on the March 2019 Head Start Program Update and Fiscal Report
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires recipients of Head Start grants to provide regular briefings on program and fiscal activities and ongoing training throughout the program year to their governing body, city council, and to the Head Start Policy Council. While the San Antonio City Council must maintain its legal and fiscal responsibilities, it has authorized the Community Health and Equity Committee to oversee other key responsibilities.
The Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) grant programs are federally-funded programs administered by HHS. The programs provide early childhood education, family support and comprehensive support services to eligible children between the ages of six weeks and five years and their families.
The DHS Head Start Grant serves children at or below the federal poverty line and prioritizes the most vulnerable children, including those with disabilities, experiencing homelessness and children in the foster care system. The program mission is to prepare children and engage families for school readiness and lifelong success. The City of San Antonio program serves a total of 3,020 children: 777 children in the Edgewood Independent School District (EISD) and 2,243 children in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). As the program grantee, DHS Head Start provides direct program management, oversight, training and technical assistance, governance, family support and mental wellness services. The comprehensive services approach positively impacts families and holistically addresses the needs of the children. DHS Head Start also contracts with EISD and SAISD for the provision of educational and disability services, the Metropolitan Health District for dental services and the University of the Incarnate Word for health services.
The Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grant provides early childhood education and development for low-income families with infants and toddlers (ages 6 weeks to 35 months). Early Head Start partners with six non-profit child care centers to expand access to high-quality comprehensive services for 216 low-income infants and toddlers and their families.
ISSUE:
Rules and regulations for the Head Start and Early Start-Child Care Partnership grants as set forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) require the Governing Body (San Antonio City Council) and the Head Start Policy Council to review programmatic actions and city council has authorized the Community Health and Equity Committee to oversee certain key responsibilities:
1. Briefing on the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Five Year Grant Application (Attachment A) - The Head Start Act requires review of the Head Start Program’s progress in carrying out the programmatic and fiscal provision of the grant application, including implementation of corrective action. The EHS-CCP program is requesting from the Office of Head Start funding in the amount of $2,847,532.00. Of this amount $2,734,334.00 is for program operations, $48,398.00 for cost-of-living adjustment, and $64,800.00 for training and technical assistance. DHS EHS-CCP’s contribution of non-federal resources is $711,883.00, which is 20% of the award amount. This item was reviewed and approved by the Head Start Policy Council on March 26, 2019 and will be considered by City Council on April 18, 2019.
2. Briefing on EHS-CCP Parent Engagement Survey Update (Attachment B) - The EHS-CCP Parent Engagement Survey was completed to acquire parent input on how they would like to see carryover funds expensed to continue building a quality infant/toddler program. Parents were given a survey in advance in an effort to properly plan for the additional funds. Each EHS-CCP location will be allocated a specific amount of funding for this project. This item was reviewed by the Head Start Policy Council on March 26, 2019.
3. Briefing on the March 2019 Head Start Program Updates and Fiscal Report (Attachment C) - The Head Start Act requires the program share accurate and regular information with the governing body and Head Start Policy Council in accordance with the Head Start Act Sec 642(c)(1)(E). Monthly program report includes Notice of Award information for the Head Start Program, Health and Dental requirements, and monthly activities for the programs and fiscal briefing for the month of March 2019.
ALTERNATIVES:
The review and approval of the items included in this memorandum are required for program compliance with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rules and regulations for Head Start and Early Head Start- Child Care Partnership programs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated impact to the general fund as a result of these actions.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends review and approval of the items included in this memorandum.