STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: May 13, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: Nadia Chandler-Hardy
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SUBJECT
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Authorize an amendment to Resolution No. 19-1499, previously approved on September 25, 2019, to (1) increase funding from $286,081.00 to $550,000.00 to allow for additional children to be served by fully-licensed childcare providers; and (2) to remove the cap of $50.00 a week, per child, for working parents, effective March 2, 2020, pursuant to the Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program - Not to exceed $263,919.00 - Financing: 2019-20 Community Development Block Grant Funds
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BACKGROUND
On June 26, 2019, City Council adopted the FY 2019-20 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Plan Budget for the U.S. Department of HUD Grant Funds. The grant funds were available beginning October 1, 2019, contingent upon approval of the City’s FY 2019-20 Action Plan and execution of grant agreements with HUD. The FY 2019-20 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget includes a line item budget for the Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program in an amount not to exceed $650,000.00. The funds will be distributed as follows:
• $550,000.00 for Daycare Providers for ages 0-12 years old (this action)
• $100,000.00 for Homeless and Special Needs Children (Vogel Alcove, Inc. and Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House)
The Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program, administered by the Office of Community Care in accordance with the City of Dallas’ Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program Policies and Procedures for Parents, promotes stability for low-to-moderate income working parents and teen parents who are full-time high school students by reducing the cost of childcare to enable them to strive for self-sufficiency. Approximately 80 additional children will be subsidized.
The Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program previously paid the subsidy amount of $50.00 a week, per child, for working parent; however, this item will allow for the subsidy to be determined by the director of the Office of Community Care, in his/her discretion. Tentatively, the subsidy amounts are as follows:
1. $100.00 per week for children 0-18 months
2. $75.00 per week for children 18 months - 48 months
3. $50.00 per week for children 4 years and above
Subsidies are paid directly to contracted childcare providers for childcare services for working parents whose income falls in the low-to-moderate income range of Community Development Block Grant funding eligibility. The following chart illustrates the income range which is 0-80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
Low Income Moderate Income
Family Size ___(50%) (80%)
1 $29,100.00 $46,550.00
2 $33,250.00 $53,200.00
3 $37,400.00 $59,850.00
4 $41,550.00 $66,500.00
5 $44,900.00 $71,850.00
6 $48,200.00 $77,150.00
7 $51,550.00 $82,500.00
8 $54,850.00 $87,800.00
The Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program also pays 100% of the cost for childcare for teen parents who are enrolled in high school full time. Once approved, eligible parents would be able to select the childcare provider. All childcare providers will be reviewed by the City to ensure the provider meets the requirement of the Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program prior to receiving any payments.
This item will provide funding to allow for contracts to be increased to allow the providers to enroll more children in daycare, afterschool care and summer programming. The City has current contracts with fully-licensed childcare services. City Council previously approved by Resolution No. 19-1499 to allow the City to enter into a contract with other fully-licensed childcare providers that are selected by eligible parents, as long as the child care provider meets the requirements of the Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program. Parents are allowed to select their own provider for childcare. If the provider agrees to accept the funds from the City of Dallas and follow all Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program requirements, they will be added to the list during the year. If childcare allotted funds from the City of Dallas are not spent, such remaining funds may be directed to other fully licensed childcare providers selected by eligible parents.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On January 11, 2017, City Council authorized contracts with fully licensed childcare providers pursuant to the Child Care Services Program for the period October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 and with other fully licensed childcare providers selected by eligible parents during the fiscal year by Resolution No. 17-0074.
On August 9, 2017, City Council adopted the FY 2017-18 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for the U.S. Department of HUD Grant Funds for the following programs: Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions Grant, Housing Opportunities for Person with AIDS Grant, and Program Income by Resolution No. 17-1171.
On June 26, 2019, City Council adopted the FY 2018-19 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for the U.S. Department of HUD grant funds for the following programs: Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Emergency Solutions Grant, Housing Opportunities for Person with AIDS Grant, and Program Income by Resolution No. 19-0886.
On September 25, 2019, City Council authorized contracts with fully licensed childcare providers selected by eligible parents for fiscal year 2019-2020 by Resolution No. 19-1499.
City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on May 1, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2020 |
FY 2021 |
Future Years |
|
2019-20 Community Development Block Grant Funds |
$263,919.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |