CC 2022-05-10 PP Presentation_Child Care Assistance Grant ProgramCHILD CARE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
5/10/2022
Good evening Madam Mayor and Members of the Council. My name is Sheridan Bohlken and I serve as your Recreation Services Director. Tonight I am presenting for consideration a Child Care
Assistance Grant Program as was directed in October of 2021.
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In March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law
$1.9 trillion nation-wide economic recovery package
Aid to families, governments, businesses, schools, non-profits and others impacted by COVID-19
Background
In March of 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act, referred to as ARPA, into law. This is a $1.9 trillion dollar nation-wide economic recovery package to aid families,
governments, businesses, schools, non-profits and other impacted by COVID-19.
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Support public health expenditures
Address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency
Replace lost public sector revenues
Provide premium pay for essential workers
Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure
Eligible Uses For ARPA Funds
Eligible uses for ARPA funds include support and reimbursements for public health expenditures, measures to address the negative economic impacts caused by COVID-19, replacement of lost
public sector revenues, to provide premium pay for essential workers, and to invest in our future through water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
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The City of Arroyo Grande to receive a total of $4.3 million in ARPA funds
Allocations of ARPA funding discussed by City Council on July 27th and October 12th, 2021
$100,000 dedicated towards a child care assistance program
ARPA & City of Arroyo Grande
Through state allocations to non-entitlement units of local government, Arroyo Grande is to receive $4.3 million dollars. Your Council discussed how these monies would be spent on July
27th and October 12th of 2021, and directed that $100,000 be spent towards a child care assistance program, to be developed in coordination with the local public agency First 5, a leader
in the collective effort to support young children.
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ARPA Allocations
For reference here is a list of the dedicated ARPA funding for the City of Arroyo Grande.
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As directed by Council, staff met with representatives from the following agencies:
First 5
San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Child Care Planning Council
We are the Care Initiative
CAPSLO
Mayor Pro Tem George
Family Child Alternative Payment Program
Child Care Assistance Grant Program
As directed, staff met with representatives from First 5 as well as the San Luis Obispo County Child Care Planning Council, We Are the Care Initiative, CAPSLO, Mayor Pro Tem George and
the Family Child Alternative Payment Program.
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Assistance with child care business start-up/obtain State Licensing status for existing child care businesses
Increase capacity of existing child care facilities
Ensure retention of current child care businesses
Funding to recruit, attract and retain child care staff
Priorities for Program
From that meeting several priorities for this grant program were established, and throughout the conversation, it was apparent that there is a lack in available space for child care
in our community. The priorities that were establish were to provide child care start-up businesses assistance to generate more child care slots within the community, increase the capacity
of existing child care businesses that are already established, ensure the retention of current child care businesses, and to provide funding to recruit, attract and retain professional
child care staff.
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Individual family scholarships were discussed as a potential priority
Based on several local organizations that provide scholarships (South County Youth Coalition, County Office of Education, CAPSLO and individual child care centers), higher priority placed
on providing more spaces for children by encouraging new businesses in addition to expanding current operations
Note on Scholarships
In reference to scholarships for local families, this potential priority was discussed with the collective group, however it was determined that the greatest need is more child care
slots to be made available. There are several resources for individual funding for families including the South County Youth Coalition, County Office of Education, CAPSLO and individual
child care centers with scholarship programs and grant funding available for families in need.
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Be a licensed child care provider in the City of Arroyo Grande
Or with this program, become a licensed child care provider
Child Care Centers required to have a City business license
Family Care Homes are excluded from this requirement due to law SB 234
Use funds to: increase the number of child care slots, maintain services or provide premium pay for staff
Not restrict participants based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition or age
Eligibility for Program
Also part of the discussion, was the eligibility to be considered for the child care assistance grant program. It was decided that by requiring businesses and care centers to be licensed,
this would provide a level of care that is monitored and tracked by the Department of Social Services. In communication with local agencies, it was learned that family child care homes
(those businesses that operate out of one’s personal home) are not required to have a business license per law sb 234, but child care centers would be required to have a current City
business license. Also, it was determined that the funds would be eligible to support the program’s goals of increasing the number of child care slots, maintaining current operations
or by providing premium pay for staff.
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Operated through the Department of Social Services, the goal of the Child Care Licensing Program is to ‘ensure the health and safety of children in care’.
Focused on prevention, compliance and enforcement
The licensing program includes random inspections, training requirements and background checks for all staff, staff to participant ratios and reports to an administrative judge and court
which handle complaints and license revocations (public records)
Why State Licensing Requirement?
For further support to require child care licensing through the Department of Social Services, the goal of the licensing program is solely to ensure the health and safety of children
in care. Their services are focused on prevention through programs and training opportunities, compliance regulations and mandated reporting and enforcement through local offices in
conjunction with local law enforcement. Random checks are performed and staff to participant ratios are regulated. An administrative court and judge oversee these licensees and complaints
or revocations of such licensees or providers are open to public records.
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Goals of program:
Increase the number of child care slots available in Arroyo Grande
Increase access and affordability of child care
Support mechanisms to recruit, attract and retain professional child care staff
Ensure the health and safety of children in child care
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Applications due by September 30, 2022
Minimum of $1,000 awards
Panel members: First 5, We are the Care Initiative, the Child Care Planning Council, City staff and South County Chamber of Commerce representative
Child Care Assistance Grant Program
The proposed child care assistance grant program is ready to be released with your approval. As suggested, applications are due by September 30th, 2022 with minimum awards amounts of
$1,000. Panel member suggestions are representatives First 5, We are the Care Initiative, the Child Care Planning Council City staff and the South County Chamber of Commerce. These
agencies were included to be members of the panel to award funding based on their experience in child care in this county, as well as their representation of local families, children
and the industry that supports our future generations. The goals of this program are to increase the number of available child care slots, increase access and affordability by absorbing
expenses that would otherwise raise fees, support mechanisms to recruit, attract and retain professional child care all while ensuring the health and safety of children in child care.
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Child Care Assistance Grant Program
Program directly addresses lack of child care slots, supports local businesses to stay in business, encourages businesses to become licensed and supports attraction and retention of
professional child care staff
Support received from local agencies to communicate to current licensed programs and assist with application
Due to potential perceived bias, not all agencies from the initial meeting will participate in grant award process
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This grant program directly addresses the ‘trilemma’ facing child care in our county which existed even pre-COVID. By addressing child care quality through the licensing requirement,
affordability by providing business assistance and accessibility by providing more child care slots, we are making progress. Support from some agencies will be best utilized through
direct assistance with the application process, and therefore will be relieved of any perceived bias.
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Receive feedback and direction from Council
Meet with local agency representatives
Advertise Child Care Assistance Grant Program
Convene grant awards panel after applications are received
Next Steps
The next steps in this process is to receive feedback and direction from your Council. A meeting with local agency representatives will follow, and the grant application process will
be announced. After applications are received and the deadline passes, the awards panel will be convened and final recommendations will be approved by the City Manager.
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Receive public comment, provide any direction to staff and approve the proposed Child Care Assistance Grant Program
Recommended Action
So that concludes this presentation and I look forward to any public comment and your direction to approve the proposed Child Care Assistance Grant Program.
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