DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Head Start Grant Refunding Application
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) requests consideration of the following items related to the City’s Head Start Grant Program:
A. An Ordinance authorizing the submission of a Head Start grant application and associated grant documents to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and acceptance upon award of federal funds in an amount up to $25,037,682.00 for the period of February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022;
B. Authorizing a total program budget of $31,297,103.00 including an in-kind match of $6,259,421.00 and personnel complement of 98 positions for DHS; and
C. Furthermore, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Human Services to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents including a grant contract, and contract amendments accepting, when approved by HHS: a) carryover funds; b) line item budget revisions; c) modifications to the performance measures so long as the terms of the amendment stay within the general parameters of the intent of the grant; d) no cost extensions; e) supplemental grant funds in an amount up to 20% of the total amount initially awarded; f) reimbursement increases of administrative funds for each participant served; g) one time equipment purchases or defined program services; and h) changes in regulations mandated.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Head Start program is a federally-funded early childhood education and development program administered by HHS. The Head Start program provides education, family support, and medical services to eligible children between the ages of three and five, and their families. The Department of Human Services’ Head Start program provides high quality program services to 3,020 children and their families at Head Start centers located in San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) and Edgewood Independent School District (EISD). The City of San Antonio has served as a grantee for the Head Start Program for over 40 years.
ISSUE:
On September 2, 2020, DHS received notification from HHS of available funding, for the third year of the five-year project period, in the amount of $25,037,682.00, for the period of February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. Funding will provide for DHS’s operational costs and provision of direct family and community support and mental wellness services, including personnel complement of 98 positions, and service provider operations.
The 2021-2022 Head Start was approved by Head Start Policy Council on September 22, 2020. The Head Start grant application is due to HHS on November 1, 2020. Awarded grant funds for the 2021-2022 Program Year will provide for the continuation of the Head Start Program services and the City’s policy of enhancing early childhood education.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this ordinance is not approved, the Office of Head Start would have to identify a different recipient of the grant, which would interrupt services to eligible Head Start families and children.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance approves the submission of a Head Start grant application and associated grant documents to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and acceptance upon award of an amount up to $25,037,682.00 for the period of February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022; and authorizing a total program budget of $31,297,103.00 including an in-kind match of $6,259,421.00 and personnel complement of 98 positions for DHS.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing submission of a grant application, and associated grant documents, and acceptance of funds upon award, a budget, and associated program personnel complement.