STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: October 13, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Authorize the first of two, one-year renewal options to the service contract with Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House to provide childcare services for their special needs 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 (ECE) 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. Parent’s 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.
Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House through their Early Childhood Education (ECE) program (a year-round program) provides children ages 0-5 with special needs, and their siblings, the experience of an active learning environment tailored to accommodate individual needs and educational goals.
As an important extension of direct care services, Bryan’s House provides respite care from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (10 Saturdays throughout the year), school-break care for ages 6-13, and an 11-week summer program. Their programs have adjusted for COVID-19 safety measures and currently include virtual home visits, weekly emergency drives to deliver families with food, household items and clothing. They are also providing classes online to children and training for parents. They anticipate moving back to regular on-site services in early Fall 2020.
The award-winning childcare program removes a barrier to financial stability by giving parents the opportunity to maintain full-time employment without leaving work 3-5 times per week to take their child to vital therapies. Bryan's House has an onsite registered nurse to ensure that children receive necessary medications, wellness assistance and treatments throughout the day. Children can also receive occupational, physical, and speech therapies on-site.
In addition, their Family Support Services (FSS) Program provides extensive social support services for the families of the children in their program, including assessments to determine clients’ needs in terms of housing, food stamps, transportation, medical care and referrals for other services. The program is designed to help clients resolve issues that can help lead them out of poverty and instability and achieve self-sufficiency.
Open Arms, Inc. dba Bryan’s House 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 served for Special 57 24 19
Needs Children Program
⠄ # of household served for Special 30 15 11
Needs Children Program
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
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 will be 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 |