STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Workforce, Education, & Equity
AGENDA DATE: September 28, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Community Care
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
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 whose income falls in the low-to moderate income range of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Area Median Income (AMI) criteria and who otherwise meet the requirements of the ECOSTS Program and execute any and all documents required by the contract for the period October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 - Not to exceed $550,000.00 - Financing: 2022-23 Community Development Block Grant Fund
Body
BACKGROUND
On June 22, 2022, City Council authorized final adoption of the FY 2022-23 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Grant Funds. The grant funds are available beginning October 1, 2022, contingent upon approval of the City’s FY 2022-23 Action Plan and execution of grant agreements with HUD. The FY 2022-23 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget includes a budget line item for the early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Services Program (ECOSTS Program), in an amount not to exceed $650,000.00. The funds will be distributed as follows:
• $550,000.00 - Childcare Providers including 1 full time employee
• $100,000.00 - 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 childcare to enable them to strive for self-sufficiency. Approximately 320 children will be served through the subsidy and homeless/special needs programs 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.
The ECOSTS Program also provides programs for special populations, which may include: 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.
The following chart illustrates the income range which is 30-80% of Area Median Income (AMI), as of
Family Size Extremely Low Low Income Moderate Income
(30%) (50%) (80%)
1 $20,450.00 $34,100.00 $54,550.00
2 $23,400.00 $39,000.00 $62,350.00
3 $26,300.00 $43,850.00 $70,150.00
4 $29,200.00 $48,700.00 $77,900.00
5 $32,470.00 $52,600.00 $84,150.00
6 $37,190.00 $56,500.00 $90,400.00
7 $41,910.00 $60,400.00 $96,600.00
8 $46,630.00 $64,300.00 $102,850.00
The ECOSTS Program pays 100 percent 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 requirements 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 May 25, 2022, A public hearing was held to receive comments on the Proposed FY 2022-23 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Grant Funds by Resolution No. 22-0833.
On June 22, 2022, City Council adopted HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Grant Funds; and at the close of the public hearing, authorize final adoption of the FY 2022-23 HUD Consolidated Plan Budget for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Grant Funds in an estimated amount of $32,997,962.00 for the following programs and estimated amounts: (a) Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $14,120,128.00; (b) HOME Investment Partnerships Program in the amount of $6,440,498.00; (c) Emergency Solutions Grant in the amount of $1,268,197.00; (d) Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS in the amount of $8,469,139.00; and (e) estimated Program Income and One-Time Revenue in the amount of $2,700,000.00, by Resolution No. 22-1024.
The Workforce, Education and Equity Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on September 12, 2022. <https://cityofdallas.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11216614&GUID=5C438D25-ED45-4D88-9E03-6C56A5F785BC>
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2023 |
FY 2024 |
Future Years |
|
Community Development Block Grant |
$550,000.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |