STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: October 13, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
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SUBJECT
title
Authorize the first of two, one-year renewal options to the service contract with Vogel Alcove to provide childcare services for homeless children through the Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 - Not to exceed $50,000.00, from $50,000.00 to $100,000.00 - Financing: 2020-21 Community Development Block Grant Fund
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BACKGROUND
The Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services (ECOSTS) Program provides childcare subsidies for low-to-moderate income working parents and adolescent parents who are attending school. Funds are also used to provide child care subsidies for various programs for children and youth, including afterschool school programs, daycare for special needs children, children who are homeless, children with disabilities, and children who are affected/infected by HIV/AIDS via contracts with nonprofit agencies. Service providers are selected by parents based on the needs of their children. Funds will also be used to support and partner with community-based organizations/non-profits and daycares who target infants and toddlers and support affordability for this class of childcare. Funds should help open slots for infants and toddlers. Intake/assessments are completed to determine eligibility both on the phone and in person. Program participants pay a portion towards their subsidy amount based on a sliding scale. Subsidies are paid directly to the childcare facilities; clients do not receive subsidies directly. This program is based on parent choice; therefore, the service providers are selected by parents based on the needs of their children. Parents’ workshops such as Money Matters, Legal Aid, Parenting, Nutrition, Diabetes, and Housing are held to assist program participants. Each program participant is required to attend a minimum of two workshops during the first year in the program.
Vogel Alcove, through their Early Education & Child Development Program, serves the homeless population in Dallas by providing free childcare for up to 135 young children daily, ages six weeks to five years old, living with their parents in local shelters. Each weekday, in a warm, nurturing environment, Vogel Alcove welcomes families without regard to race, ethnicity or religion. Licensed by the State of Texas and accredited by the National Association of Education for Young Children, Vogel Alcove operates year-round with 13 classrooms, a kitchen for daily meal preparation, a children’s library, an outdoor all-natural playground, gymnasium (for preschool children), and an indoor infant/toddler multipurpose area. Homeless children experience the caustic effects of neglect, abuse, violence, and hunger. This component works to develop cognitive, motor and literacy skills in order to prevent consequences of early trauma, improve developmental outcomes, and ensure success in school by preparing children to enter kindergarten at the same level as their peers. Services include:
§ Early childhood education using developmentally appropriate, research-based
curriculum and assessment tools
§ Qualified teaching staff
§ Low staff-to-child ratio
§ Screening to detect developmental delays or disorders
§ Onsite speech, occupational, and physical therapy for children diagnosed with
delays
§ Enrichment classes and community field trips.
Vogel Alcove also provides heal and wellness, mental health, and family support to these children and their family.
Vogel Alcove Performance Measures and Goals for the FY 2019-20 Program year are as follows:
PERFORMANCE MEASURES GOALS AMENDED OUTCOME (THROUGH
GOALS (AUGUST 31, 2020)
*# of children participating in the 36 36 55
Vogel Alcove program provide
comprehensive program of childcare
services
*# of parents to be educated on 42 42 53
Mainstream Resources
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On September 25, 2019, City Council authorized contracts with fully-licensed childcare providers (Exhibit A), and with any other fully-licensed childcare providers, pursuant to the Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program (“program”) selected by eligible parents who meet the requirements of the program for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, by Resolution No. 19-1499.
On May 13, 2020, City Council authorized 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 by Resolution No. 20-0731.
City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on October 2, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2020 |
FY 2021 |
Future Years |
|
2020-21 Community Development Block Grant Fund |
$50,000.00 |
$50,000.00 |
$0.00 |