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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04252000 - C31 To, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS •+ FROMI TONY COWN, DIRECTOR COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT DAM April 25, 2000 SUBJECT. AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATION FOR HEAD START AND EARLY GRAM SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS MCMC R&QUSSTM OR RBCOMMSNDATION{S)fit BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION 1. RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Community Services Director or designee to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families in the amount of $731,255 for Head Start Program supplemental funding and $109,575 for Early Head Start Program supplemental funding for a total amount of$840,534 for the period from January 1, 2400 through December 31, 2400. Supplemental funds are in the following four categories stipulated by the funder: Cost of Living Adjustments, Quality Improvement, Teacher Quality Improvement, and Training and Technical Assistance. II. FINANCIAL IMPACT: If this grant application is approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the funding will be added via appropriation adjustment to the current Head Start Budget. County, as Grantee, will be required to generate a 20% local, in-kind, non-cash match in the amount of$210,248. IIl. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: The Community Services Department Head Start Program supports two of Contra Costa County's community outcomes: "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School" and "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing." These outcomes are achieved by offering comprehensive services, including high quality early childhood education, nutrition, health, and social services, along with a strong parent involvement focus, to low-income children throughout Contra Costa County. The overall goal of the program is to bring about a greater degree of social competence in preschool children from low-income families. IV. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS/BACKGRC}�: Please see attached. This application will be reviewed and approved by the Head Start Local Policy Council at its April 21, 2000 meeting. CONTINUED ON ATTACH?4XN`n YKS SIGNA1t{RSt RECOMMEND-MON OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _RECOMMIINAATION OF BOARD COMMPI"PES Y APPROVS ACTION OF$O �"�! .7�. �{}U APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OFSUPYRVLSORS 1 HEREBY CERMY THAT THIS IS A TRUE t{}tANAtiOUB{ABSENT s AND CORRECT'COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYPSt NOSSt AND ENTERED ON THE MWLn=OF THE BOARD ABSENTt ABSTATNt OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN, CONTACT: TONY COL6N,313-7350 cc: CACI PHIL BATCHELOR,CUMK OF THE BOARD OF CSI) SUPERVISORS ANA COUNTY ADMDa ATOR M342 (10Th) DHYUTY Contra Costa County Community Services Department Hear) Start and Early Head Start urograms: Cost of Living Allowances, Quality Improvement, Teacher Quality, and Training/Technical Assistance Application for Program Year 2000 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INCOMING FUNDS NARRATIVE STATEMENT I. PROJECT/PROGRAM TITLE. (a) Contra Costa County Head Start Program (b) Contra Costa County Early Head Start Program 2. FUNDING AGENCY. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF). 3. SUBMITTAL STATUS. Request for supplemental funding for continuing programs. 4. PROPOSED TERM. Funding is requested for the period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000. 5. CURRENT FUNDING. Funding is provided by federal dollars and local in-kind. County, as Grantee, is required to generate a 20% in-kind match of the total project budget. (a) Head Start (b) Early Head Start Program Program Approved Federal $11,588,398 $1,555,254 2000 Basic funding: Grant Local Share: $2,897,100 $388,814 Funding 6. FUTURE FUNDING. If received, funds will be incorporated into the 2001 Head Start and Early Head Start Basic Grants. Applications for the Head Start Basic Grant have been awarded for the last 34 years and for Early Head Start Basic grant for the last two years. Future funding through federal dollars is expected to be available. 1 v 7. BUDGET SUMMARY. A. Head Start Program (i) Cost of Living Adjustment $299,418 (ii) Quality Improvement $403,063 (iii)Training &Technical Assistance $23,274 (iv)Teacher Quality $5,500 TOTAL $731,255 Federal funds totaling $731,255 are budgeted for the following categories: (i) Cost of Living Adjustment (ii) Quality Improvement Personnel: $452,554 for wage parity increase for teacher, clerical, accounting and management staff. Fringe: $102,684 fringe is calculated at 37.34% in the Basic 2000 Head Start Grant. The variable portion of the fringe amount included in this application is 22.69% Delegate Agencies: $92,027 for Delegate Agencies, which administer the Head Start program in part of the county, are allotted a portion of the funding to make quality improvements to their programs. Other: $ 38,234 for enhancing state funded Child Development slots and bringing them up to Head Start standards ($37,553) and general liability insurance ($681). Indirect Cost: $ 16,982 (iii) Training and Technical Assistance Funds will be used to implement a Summer Institute to provide teacher training with college course credits. Of the increase, $13,282 will be used for salaries for teachers who would normally be on summer vacation, $2,922 for fringe, $2,356 for training materials, and$4,714 for a contractor's tuition fees. (iv) Teacher Quality $3,911 will be allocated to a contractor, WestEd, who will spearhead collaborative efforts to improve teacher credentials and transferability of course credits. The remainder of funds ($1,589) will be allocated to increases in personnel costs, supplies and mileage. 2 Subtotal federal dollars: $731,255 In-kind contributions (local share)*: $182,814 TOTAL: $914,069 B. Early Head Start Program (i) Cost of Living Adjustment $40,043 (ii)Quality Improvement $53,903 (iii) Training and Technical Assistance $228 (iv)Teacher Quality $15,401 TOTAL $109,575 Federal funds totaling $109,575 are budgeted for the following categories: (i) Cost of Living Adjustment (ii) Quality Improvement Personnel: $76,625 for wage parity increase for teacher, clerical, accounting and management staff. Fringe: $15,931 fringe is calculated at 37.34% in the Basic 2000 Early Head Start Grant. The variable portion of the fringe amount included in this application is 22.69% Indirect Cost: $ 1,390 (iii) Training and Technical Assistance Funds will be used to implement a Summer Institute to provide teacher training with college course credits. (iv) Teacher Quality Personnel: $1,608 is allocated to augment staff implementation of Teacher Quality Improvements. Fringe: $600 fringe is calculated at 37.34%. Contractual: $11,009 is allocated to a contractor, WestEd, who will spearhead collaborative efforts to improve teacher credentials and transferability of course credits. 3 �rt Other: $ 2,184 is allocated to management software for tracking and coordinating teacher course credits / staff recognition incentives ($1,851) and staff mileage ($333). Subtotal federal dollars: $109,575 In-bind contributions (local share)*: $27,394 TOTAL: $136,969 *In-kind services provided by parent volunteers in the classroom, in committees and at the Policy council, by CHDP forms processing, training and direct services to Head Start children, speech therapy, consultants to advisory boards, and parents' provision of child transportation to the classes. 8. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS. As Grantee, Contra Costa County operates the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, which are administered by the Community Services Department. Personnel requirements and payments are outlined in the budget summary. Current staff positions were previously approved by the Board of Supervisors. Six additional Family Advocate positions will be created as a result of these applications. 9. PROGRAM NEED. Several wage comparability studies indicate that Contra Costa County's Head Start has two personnel classifications (Teacher I and Teacher 11) compensated significantly below similar classifications in the surrounding area. This disparity has made it very difficult to fill vacancies as they occur. Furthermore, a community needs assessment conducted by the department and the United Way shows that lack of full-day, full-year child care services is a primary obstacle facing families making the transition from welfare to work. This proposal will ensure that Head Start provides quality services by attaining wage parity and by providing child care required to help families make the move from welfare to work. In addition, funds are being made available to all Head Start programs to improve training and qualifications of classroom teachers. These funds will help implement the mandate of the Head Start Act which requires that, by September 30, 2003, at least half of all Head Start teachers in center based programs must have at least an associate degree in early Childhood Education or a related field, with pre-school teaching experience. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROGRAMS. A. The program interfaces with the county's Ca1WORKS program providing much- needed child care. B. The program coordinates with the Health Services Department Child Health and Disabilities Prevention Program for early identification and prevention of child illnesses and disabilities. C. In 2000, the County's Head Start Program will coordinate services with the County's Work Force Investment Board by providing access to enrollment in child care as well 4 as other programs administered by the Community Services Department, including energy assistance and weatherization, at the One-Stop Career Centers. D. The program is partnering with the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) to implement a replicable model which will support and sustain adult learning in the transition from welfare to work. In addition to preparing and securing academic enhancements for Head Start teachers, we will cooperate in the CCCCD program to recruit, train, and secure employment for TANF recipients in early childhood education careers as childcare professionals. The endeavor will strengthen partnerships and collaborative relationships between the Head Start program, CCCCD, the Department of Social Services, the Contra Costa Child Care Council, and the greater child care community by preparing participants for academic study, the world of work and economic self-sufficiency. E. A consortium with Santa Clara County has been developed in an effort to leverage the impact of the funds being made available to enhance teacher's academic credentials and to ensure transferable credits between various Bay Area community colleges. The consortium has contracted with WestEd, a non-profit research and development agency in San Francisco, to spearhead this collaborative effort. San Francisco and Alameda counties have also expressed interest but are not yet a part of the consortium. F. Duplication of efforts is eliminated through monthly communication between the programs and staff coordination on advisory boards/committees. Head Start has numerous interagency agreements with community-based organizations to avoid duplication of effort. 11. PROJECT GOALS. A. Improve teaching quality in Head Start classrooms. B. By September 30, 2003, at least half of all Head Start teachers in center based program will have at least an associate degree in early Childhood Education or a degree in a related field, with pre-school teaching experience. C. Recruit and retain good teachers by achieving wage parity for teaching staff. D. Improve the quality of advocacy and case management services available to parents and families of children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. 12. STATED OBJECTIVES. A. Recruit and retain good teachers by achieving wage parity for teaching staff. B. Currently 32% of Head Start teachers report having an AA or higher degree. The objective of the program will be to provide the remaining staff members the opportunity to obtain a minimum of an AA degree by September 30, 2003. C. Recruit and retain six additional Family Advocates to provide more intensive and individualized family advocacy and case management services. 5 13. ACTIVITY SUMMARY. A. 'Wage parity will be achieved by adjusting the Head Start salary schedule. Funds will be used to increase Teacher I base salary by 18% and Teacher H base salary by 10%. In addition, all other department staff will receive cost of living adjustments of 3%. B. Six Family Advocates will be hired. C. Individual training plans will be developed and coordinated with the Contra Costa Community Colleges and the Bay Area Head Start Consortium.. One-on-one academic planning and support will be provided, and teachers will be matched with mentors and peer coaches. D. Completion of academic activities will be tracked individually through ChildPlus, a comprehensive Windows based management software program. E. A common database and Management Information System will be established between Bay Area community colleges to ensure transferability of course credits. F. A teacher training resource library will be established. G. A summer institute will be conducted to provide training in child development, and course credit will be arranged with CCCCD. 14. EVALUATION METHOD(S). A. Head Start and Early Head Start enrollment, provision of services, the child's educational progress, and the family's progress to self-sufficiency are tracked in the Child Plus database. B. Interim program information reports are generated as needed to assess service delivery and impact, and an annual program information report is performed. C. The Parent Policy Council conducts an annual on-site program review and participating families respond to annual interest/needs survey and an annual client satisfaction survey. D. The success of the teacher quality improvement program will be measured by increases in the level of academic credentials of all Head Start teachers and in the accumulation of appropriately based child development credit hours and number of Associate of Arts or higher Child Development based degrees obtained. The Family and Children's Services Associate Director will be specifically responsible for compiling and providing the data necessary to evaluate the success of the program. 15. CHANGES COMPARED TO PRIOR YEAR (if any). There are no significant changes from the prior year. These activities continue to be funded under the Head Start and Early Head Start Basic Grant. 16. POTENTIAL CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. None. 6