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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: JOSEPH VALENTINE, DIRECTOR Costa
EMPLOYMENT & HUMAN SERVICES V/
DEPARTMENT � County
0
SrA�oUK�
DATE: APRIL 1, 2008
SUBJECT: INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT AT DEPARTMENT'S CHILDCARE
CENTERS
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment & Human Services Director, or designee,
to increase enrollment from a maximum of 20 to a new maximum of 24 children in
dually State and Federal funded classrooms in the Department's childcare centers,
effective February 19, 2008, as approved by the Federal Administration for Children
and Families. (All Districts)
FISCAL IMPACT:
No net County costs.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE:
_RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 136COMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
✓APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S): r
ACTION OF B A ON I APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOSUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
AYES: NOES: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: /
ATTESTED /���
JO CULLEN,CL K OF THE ARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Contact Person: Cassandra Youngblood,646-5976
CC: CAO
EHSD/Comm Srvcs (3 original,signed,sealed copies)
BY: ID EPUTY
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Employment& Human Services Department Page Two
Increase in Enrollment April 1,2008
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.
BACKGROUND:
On February 19, 2008, Contra Costa County received approval from the Administration
for Children and Families (ACF), Region IX to increase the enrollment (from 20 to 24)
of classrooms funded through a combination of Head Start and State funds. California
Department of Education State Preschool guidelines allow for up to 24 children per
classroom, while ACF Head Start guidelines allow for 20 children per classroom. The
blended funding presents opportunity to adapt the requirements to best meet local
needs. The proposed ACF waiver will allow the Department to enroll up to 24 children,
with a one to eight staff to student ration, in blended funding classrooms, effective
February 19, 2008. The enrollment waiver was pursued by the Department upon fiscal
projections that State Preschool programs are running over budget, a problem that will
be alleviated by the waiver.
Factors contributing to the overage include the inordinately high overhead found in the
San Francisco Bay Area and the costs of classrooms repairs and maintenance. The
increase of 4 children per classroom would potentially generate savings of
approximately $32,890 per year per class.
Approval of the enrollment increase will allow the Department to continue to provide
quality childcare throughout the County while addressing increased operation costs.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH &HUMAN SERVICES
4
~y{�` Administratioh for Children and Families
Office of Head Start
8"' Floor Portal Building
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024
February 19. 2409
Re: 09CH0375 l FY 2009
Dr. Pat Stroh
head Start Director
Contra Costa County Community Services
2425 Bisso Lane, Suite 1 10
Concord, California 94520
Dear Dr. Stroh:
This letter is in response to your November 5, 2007 letter requesting a waiver from the
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start to allow the Contra Costa
County Community Services (CCCCS) Head Start Program to enroll up to 24 children in
classrooms funded through a.combination of Ilead Start and State Preschool funds. Your
request stated the waiver will enable CCCCS to continue the partnership agreements with
community agencies to provide full day services with a paid staff ratio,of one adult for
every eight children in a licensed facility which meets the required 35 square feet of space
per child required by the Flead Start Performance Standards and Community Care
Licensing.
Based cm the information provided in your letter, your waiver request to enroll up to 24
children in classrooms funded through a combination of Head Start and State Preschool
funds is approved.and limited.to Head Start/State Preschool classrooms that enroll four-
year old children. The waiver is effective immediately for one year from thedate of this
letter and aril! be reassessed if CCCCS :seeks a waiver beyond the one year. The waiver is
conditioned upon CCCCS meeting the following requirements of Head Start:
1. CCCCS.must maintain 35 square fleet of space per child;
2. CC.'CS must continue to meet all State licensing requirements;
3. CCCCS must meet State DOL Title V State Preschool staffing requirement`~
with a paid staff ratio of one adult for every eight children;
4. CCCC'S must meet Head Start classroom teacher credentialing requirements
prescribed by Section 648A of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness
Act; and
5. CCCCS must ensure the waiver is cost neutral to Head Start.
c ' 4// f o
Dr. Pat Stroh—Page 2
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It is important to convey our expectation that a waiver of class size will not impact the
comprehensive and quality.child development outcome we expect for every Head Start
child. Regional Office staff will contact you shortly after implementation of this waiver
to arrange a meeting with you and visit classes that are affected by this waiver:, We
appreciate your continued commitment toward implementing partnerships to improve the
quality of Head Start services to children in Contra Costa County. Please contact Jan j
Len, Regional Program Manager at 415-437-8447 if you have any questions concerning
this approval.
Si erely, j
Patricia E. Brown
Acting Director
Office of Head Start
Cc: Jan Len, OHS
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