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
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Authorize 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 (the “ECOSTS Program”), selected by eligible parents who meet the requirements of the program for the period of October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 - Not to exceed $500,000.00 - Financing: 2020-21 Community Development Block Grant Fund
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BACKGROUND
On April 22, 2020, City Council adopted the FY 2020-21 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Grant Funds. The grant funds are available beginning October 1, 2020, contingent upon approval of the City’s FY 2020-21 Action Plan and execution of grant agreements with HUD. The FY 2020-21 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget includes a line item budget for the ECOSTS Program, in an amount not to exceed $650,000.00. The funds will be distributed as follows:
• $500,000.00 for Daycare Providers (this item)
• $50,000.00 for Infants and Toddlers
• $100,000.00 for Homeless and Special Needs Children
The ECOSTS Program, administered by the Office of Community Care in accordance with the City of Dallas’ ECOSTS 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 child care to enable them to strive for self-sufficiency. Approximately 268 children will be subsidized for a one-year period.
The ECOSTS Program pays (see subsidy amount below) per week per child 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.
ECOSTS Program Subsidy Amounts
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 old and above.
The following chart illustrates the income range which is 30-80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
Family Extremely Low Low Income Moderate Income
(30%) (50%) (80%)
1 $18,100.00 $30,200.00 $48,300.00
2 $20,700.00 $34,500.00 $55,200.00
3 $23,300.00 $38,800.00 $62,100.00
4 $26,200.00 $43,100.00 $68,950.00
5 $30,680.00 $46,550.00 $74,500.00
6 $35,160.00 $50,000.00 $80,000.00
7 $36,640.00 $53,450.00 $85,500.00
8 $44,120.00 $56,900.00 $91,050.00
The ECOSTS Program 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 a childcare provider, regardless if the provider is listed in Exhibit A. Any childcare provider not listed in Exhibit A will be reviewed by the City to ensure the provider meets the requirement of the ECOSTS Program prior to receiving any payments. If the provider agrees to accept the funds from the City of Dallas and follow all ECOSTS 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, including to potentially increase contracts with these providers.
This item will allow the City to enter into contracts with fully-licensed childcare service providers listed in Exhibit A, and will also allow the City to enter into contracts with other fully-licensed childcare providers that are selected by eligible parents not listed in Exhibit A, subsequent to the passage of the resolution, as long as the childcare provider meets the requirements of the ECOSTS Program.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On April 22, 2020, City Council adopted the FY 2020-2021 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (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. 20-0655.
City Council will be briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on October 2, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2021 |
FY 2022 |
Future Years |
|
Community Development Block Grant Fund |
$500,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |