DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grant Application
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of the City's Early Head Start-Child Care partnership (EHS-CCP) program and associated documents to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and acceptance upon award of an amount up to $2,982,243.00 for the period of August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022. The total amount consists of $2,917,443.00 in program operations and $64,800.00 for training and technical assistance. Authorizing total budget of $3,727,804.00 including in-kind match of $745,561.00 and personnel complement of 16 positions.
Furthermore, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Human Services to initiate, negotiate, and execute any and all necessary documents and a grant contract to effectuate the acceptance of the referenced grant, and to execute contract amendments pertaining to this contract, to include: a) carry-over funds, when ascertained and approved by the funding agency through a revised notice of award; b) line item budget revisions authorized by the funding agency; c) modifications to the performance measures authorized by the funding agency and listed in the contract so long as the terms of the amendment stay within the general parameters of the intent of the grant; d) no cost extensions; e) amendments which will provide supplemental grant funds to the grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 20% of the total amount awarded to the grant; f) reimbursement increases of administrative funds for each participant served; g) amendments funding one time equipment purchases or defined program services; and h) changes in regulations mandated by the funding agency, if awarded and matching funds are available in City’s budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Head Start and 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.
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded the DHS a grant to establish an Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP), an early childhood education and development program for underserved families with infants and toddlers (ages 6 weeks to 35 months) in addition to the City’s Head Start preschool program for children ages 3 and 4 years old. EHS-CCP partners with six non-profit childcare centers to expand access to high-quality comprehensive services for 216 vulnerable infants and toddlers and their families. EHS-CCP promotes physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development in six childcare centers located in the San Antonio and Edgewood Independent School Districts while allowing parents to work or engage in training or education.
ISSUE:
On March 4, 2021, the City received notification from HHS of available grant funding in the amount of $2,982,243.00 for the period of August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022. This ordinance authorizes budgetary, grant, and contract items to ensure continuation of EHS-CCP Program services for the period of August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022. Funding will provide the City’s operational costs for the delivery of family and community support services, health and wellness services and personnel complement of 16 City positions. It also includes funding for service providers to cover operational costs.
|
Child Care Service Providers |
2021-2022 Allocations |
2021-2022 Contracts Allocation |
|
Blessed Sacrament Academy |
36 |
$284,130 |
|
Ella Austin |
48 |
$378,840 |
|
Healy Murphy |
64 |
$505,120 |
|
Inman Christian |
28 |
$220,990 |
|
Seton Home |
20 |
$157,850 |
|
YWCA -Olga Madrid |
20 |
$157,850 |
|
Total |
216 |
$1,704,780 |
Grant funds awarded for the 2021-2022 Program Year will further the City’s goal to improve the education and skill level of San Antonio area children and their families. Funding supports DHS operational costs that includes the provision of direct family and community support services and service provider operations. The 2021-2022 EHS-CCP grant application was approved by Head Start Policy Council on March 23, 2021. The grant application is due to HHS on May 1, 2021.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this ordinance is not approved, HHS would identify another agency to provide EHS-CCP services in the EISD and SAISD service areas. This may delay the provision of services to the community and negatively impact currently enrolled children and families.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The EHS-CCP grant provides funding for education, family support, and medical services to eligible children between the ages of six weeks through three years old, and their families for the period August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022 and will fund a personnel complement of 16 DHS positions.
Contractual funding will be allocated from the EHS-CCP grant for service provider contracts with Blessed Sacrament Academy, Ella Austin Community Center, Healy-Murphy Center, Inc., Inman Christian Center, Seton Home, and Young Women’s Christian Association Olga Madrid Center. The grant requires an in-kind match of 20%, or $745,561.00, which will be provided by the City and contracted Service Providers. The total EHS-CCP program budget of $ $2,982,243.00, including match $745,561.00, will be $3,727,804.00.
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.