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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02271996 - C83 4 C. U TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS , Contra FROM: os JOAN V. SPARKS, DIRECTOR Costa ; '" •I COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT ' ' =5 County / �* `� GATE: ° v February 1, 1996 SUBJECT: ACCEPT 1996 HEAD START PARTIAL GRANT AWARD (#39-815-2) SPECIFIC REQUEST($)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)d BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION L RECOMMENDED ACTION: ACCEPT the 1996 Head Start Partial Grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (#39-815-2) in the amount of $2,704,313 for the provision of Head Start services to 1,163 children through May 17, 1996. I1. FINANCIAL EWPACT: The maximum amount of Federal funds requested in the Community Services Department's grant application for the Head Start program was an amount not to exceed $6,500,000 which was approved by the Board on September 26, 1995. This Financial Assistance Grant awards 45 percent of the funds for the 1996 Head Start Program. III. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS/BACKGROUND: On January 9, 1996 the Board accepted a partial grant award of $625,347 of Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to provide Head Start services through February 1996. A final appropriations bill to provide funding for Head Start in fiscal year 1996 (which began on October 1, 1995) has still not been passed by Congress or signed into law by the President. Thus, Head Start is operating under its third fiscal year 1996 government-wide interim funding act, known as a "continuing resolution" since mid- December. Passage of another continuing resolution or a final appropriation is required before operating funds for a full twelve months can be awarded. While the appropriations process is taking place, this partial grant will cover Head Start operations until May 17, 1996 by which time additional funds are expe a available The partial award, CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIONATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON February 27, 1996 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CONTACT: Joan Sparks, 313-7350 CC: CAO ATTESTED February 27, 1996 CSD PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY ,DEPUTY M082 (10/88) Page 2 #39-815-2 including that granted through February 1996, is approximately 45 percent of the expected 12- month funding level which has been reduced by 3.9 percent of the on-going amount previously planned for fiscal year 1996. A decision not to approve this partial grant would result in the loss of needed Head Start services to children and families in this county. HEAD START PARTIAL GRANT AWARD FOR 1996 NARRATIVE STATEMENT 1. PROJECT/PROGRAM TITLE. Head Start. 2. FUNDING AGENCY. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families 3. SUBMITTAL STATUS. Partial grant award for continuation of program during 1996. 4. PROPOSED TERM. January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996. The Head Start program is expected to continue indefinitely. 5. CURRENT FUNDING. The actual 1996 Head Start funding allocation will not be known until resolution of the budget debate. The 1996 Head Start minimum allocation expected to be received is approximately $6.5 million dollars. Funding from this allocation for the period from January 1, 1996 through May 17, 1996 is already reflected in the Department's 1995- 96 County budget. 6. FUTURE FUNDING. Federal funding for Head Start program services is expected to continue indefinitely. 7. BUDGET SUMMARY. The Community Services Department is presenting one budget for the Head Start Division (combining the Central Grantee Operated Program, West Grantee Operated Program, Division Office, and temporary East Grantee Operated Program). The use of one centralized budget is to provide an overall picture for the financial operation of the Grantee. 8. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS. The Head Start program is administered by the Community Services Department. Central and West County Grantee Operated Program staff are currently employed by the County. Head Start services are also provided through subcontracts with Delegate Agencies. 9. PROGRAM NEED. According to the Association of Bay Area Government (ABAG) statistics, the number of preschool age children living in poverty in Contra Costa County equals 9,340. The number of three to five year old children in Contra Costa County living below the poverty level equals 48 percent of the total preschool age below poverty population. The Head Start program will serve approximately 1,143 children in the 1996 program year which is only 12 percent of the preschool age children living in poverty in the county. Other child development programs are serving approximately 23 percent of the preschool age children living below poverty which leaves approximately 65 percent (or 6,062 children) not being served. Clearly, there is a need to expand Head Start services in Contra Costa County. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROGRAMS. The Head Start program staff provides a vital link to many community services. Referrals include education, counseling, health, disability, mental health, battered women's and child protective services. 11. PROJECT GOALS. 1996-98 Program Goals selected by the Head Start Program Policy Council members as a result of the 1995 Community Needs Assessment are the following: Goal 1: The Head Start program will focus its training and technical assistance resources (PA20 funds) for 1996-98 on developing an effective intervention/prevention program for Family Abuse issues. Goal 2: The Head Start program will develop system to support job training and employment of parents that includes parents, staff, and community members by 1998. Goal 3: To provide parents and staff with prevention/intervention strategies that assist with food access, nutrition education, and low cost meals when dealing with a limited budget during 1996 through 1998. 12. EXAMPLES OF STATED OBJECTIVES. Objective for Goal 1: To select and train one staff member and one parent to provide a personnel management system to support at least one staff member and one parent as an expert in the field of Family Abuse prevention and intervention with training established December 31, 1996. Objective for Goal 2: To assess the employability needs of Head Start parents and develop a plan for employability and collaborate with the JTPA System by December 31, 1996. Objective for Goal 3: To develop strategies for implementing prevention/intervention techniques that are based on the parent need by December 31, 1996. 2 13. ACTIVITY SUMMARY. The Head Start program is currently operated directly through Central and West County Grantee Operated Programs and indirectly through subcontracts with Delegate Agencies. The program is expected to provide services to approximately 1,143 children in Contra Costa County during 1996. 14. EVALUATION METHOD(S). Evaluation methods are included in the Head Start program application. The lead person responsible for administrative and program evaluation is the Head Start Program Manager. The lead staff responsible for Goals 1 and 2 is the Social Service staff. The Head Start Nutritionist is the lead person responsible for evaluation of Goal 3, prevention/intervention strategies that assist with food access, nutrition education, and low cost meals when dealing with a limited budget. 15. CHANGES COMPARED TO PRIOR YEAR (]IF ANY). On June 27, 1995 the Board of Supervisors authorized the Community Services Department to operate the Central County Head Start Program directly beginning with the 1995-96 program year. This program was formerly operated by contract with Family Stress Center who voluntarily terminated the agreement effective July 31, 1995. Since the County, as the grantee, is responsible for the program once a Delegate Agency terminates its contract, the Board directed that a transition plan be developed. On August 3, 1995, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Transition Plan for Central County Grantee Operated Head Start Program. On September 12, 1995 the Board authorized the Department to notify the United Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations (UCSSO) that, because of failure to perform as a Delegate Agency, including non-compliance with Federal rules and regulations, the County will not renew its contract with the UCSSO for 1996. The Board also directed staff to give notice to the UCSSO of its appeal rights and set October 10, 1995 as the date for the Grantee to review any appeal filed by the UCSSO. On September 12 the Board also directed staff to prepare the 1996 Head Start grant application for the Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, and Byron areas to reflect an interim Grantee Operated Program beginning January 1996 to ensure no interruption of services to families and children. 16. POTENTIAL CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. The decision to provide East County Head Start services through an interim Grantee Operated Program beginning January 1996 may result in potential controversial issues. 3