DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Shared Services Alliance
SUMMARY:
Consideration of a request to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Pre-K 4 SA and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County for the start-up and establishment of a Shared Services Alliance as part of Children at Risk's grant agreement with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Texas Education Agency's grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services with a goal of providing shared services to child development centers.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Texas Rising Star (TRS) is a hybrid statewide Quality Rating and Improvement System that began in 1991 and was revised in 2015. TRS certified providers offer quality care that exceed the state’s Child Care Licensing Minimum Standards in five categories: 1) Director and Staff Qualifications, 2) Caregiver-Child Interactions, 3) Curriculum, 4) Nutrition and Indoor/Outdoor Activities, and 5) Parent Education and Involvement. TRS certified childcare providers may obtain a progressively higher level as follows: 2-star level (exceeds minimum licensing requirements in all five categories); 3-star level (meets high-quality standards in all five categories); and 4-star level (meets highest standards of quality in all five categories).
As of January 2019, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported 513 child care centers within San Antonio city limits with 459 or 89% uncertified by the state’s quality rating system. Pre-K 4 SA and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County plan to create a provider-driven shared service model aimed at increasing pedagogical and business leadership skills. Providers entering into the shared service alliance must commit to working toward Texas Rising Star, 4-Star certification thereby increasing the number of quality child care centers in San Antonio.
This Memorandum of Understanding will allow Pre-K 4 SA and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County to start-up and establish a Shared Services Alliance for child care centers in San Antonio.
ISSUE:
Pre-K 4 SA staff requests Board consideration to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Pre-K 4 SA and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County for the start-up and establishment of a Shared Services Alliance as part of Children at Risk's grant agreement with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Texas Education Agency's grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services with a goal of providing shared services to child development centers.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board does not approve the Memorandum of Understanding, Pre-K 4 SA will not be able to start-up and establish a Shared Services Alliance for child care centers in San Antonio to increase the quality of centers and increase the number of centers participating in the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
Pre-K 4 SA staff requests Board consideration to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Pre-K 4 SA and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County for the start-up and establishment of a Shared Services Alliance as part of Children at Risk's grant agreement with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Texas Education Agency's grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services with a goal of providing shared services to child development centers.