Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06082010 - C.87RECOMMENDATION(S): AUTHORIZE a one-time waiver of County Administrative Bulletin 112.9 issued June 30, 2007 regarding reimbursement of training costs; AND APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Auditor-Controller to provide payment for tuition, books and parking, for participants in the Employment & Human Services Department’s Teacher Degree Program, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $365,000 for all participants, for the term March 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. FISCAL IMPACT: No County costs 100% Federal funds CFDA # 93.600 & CFDA # 93.708 BACKGROUND: On May 12, 2009 the APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 06/08/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: C. Youngblood, 313-1712 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: June 8, 2010 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: EMY L. SHARP, Deputy cc: Cassandra Youngblood, Enid Mendoza, Vickie Kaplan C.87 To:Board of Supervisors From:Joe Valentine, Employment & Human Services Director Date:June 8, 2010 Contra Costa County Subject:2010 CSB Teacher Degree Program / Training Costs Waiver BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) Board approved a one-time waiver of County Administrative Bulletin 112.9 issued June 30, 2007 regarding reimbursement of training costs (Item C. 65); the board order also approved and authorized the Auditor-Controller to provide payment for tuition, books, and parking permits for participants of the Employment and Human Services Department’s Teacher Degree Program through December 31, 2009. The Teacher Degree Program is an educational advancement program that began in 2008 to support teaching staff required to meet the Head Start Act mandate of obtaining a baccalaureate degree by 2013. The Department was able to successfully support over thirty Community Services Bureau (CSB) teaching staff who were not financially able to enroll in degree awarding courses. Funding to support this program was provided by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) through a one-time Training and Technical Assistance grant through December 31, 2009. On April 21, 2009 the Board approved Department receipt of two grant awards, 2009-10 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Head Start Quality Improvement one-time Training & Technical Assistance funding and 2009 ARRA Head Start and Early Head Start, from the Federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) (Item C. 35and C.36) Both grants included educational development funding in an aggregate amount of $355,452 to support the continuance and expansion of the CSB Teacher Degree Program in 2010, to target additional Head Start staff needing to complete a degree in higher education. As the grant dollars have now been allocated to the Department, this board order seeks another waiver to continue flexibility to release the funds as necessary to support staff enrolled in courses that lead to a degree in higher education. Thus, the Department requests another waiver of Administrative Bulletin 112.9 through December 31, 2010. By granting this request, the Department will continue to have flexibility to make payments to staff participating in the program immediately upon submission of receipts. Payments made prior to course completion will be limited to Teacher Degree Program participants and the colleges and universities acknowledging student sponsorships of Community Services Bureau staff and partner staff. Granting this flexibility will allow for the payments to be paid directly to the colleges and universities via purchase order requests or procurement card. These grant dollars are available for all CSB staff and partner staff enrolled in courses that lead to the completion of a degree in higher education. Currently, there are over 30 participants; it is anticipated that the number will increase as the program expands. If approved, this action will authorize the Auditor Controller to pay costs associated with the Teacher Degree Program to colleges and universities in advance of course completion. These costs are to include registration, tuition, books, and parking fees approved by the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Department efforts to meet federal mandate regarding Head Start teaching staff credentials would be hampered. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: The Community Services Bureau of the Employment & Human Services Department’s Head Start program supports three of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes - Outcome 1: “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School,” Outcome 3: “Families that are Economically Self-sufficient,” and, Outcome 4: “Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing.” These outcomes are achieved by offering comprehensive services, including high quality early childhood education, nutrition, and health services to low-income children throughout Contra Costa County.