Agenda

Return

C. 47

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	December 7, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Stipends to Contra Costa County Childcare Partner Agencies per California Assembly Bill 131 (Chapter 116, Statutes of 2021)

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/07/2021

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Ryan Hoy - 925-608-4968
cc:	Theodore Trinh Haydee Ilan Julie White Nasim Eghlima Nelly Ige Komal Dayal

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 7, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Auditor-Controller, or designee, to pay stipends to seven contracted child care partner agencies in an amount not to exceed $244,200 ($600 per child enrolled in March 2021) pursuant to California Assembly Bill 131 (Chapter 116, Statutes of 2021).

FISCAL IMPACT:

$244,200 total stipend allocation is 100% funded by the California Department of Education (CDE) and California Department of Social Services (CDSS). No County match required.


AL# 93.596

FISCAL IMPACT: (CONT'D)

AL# 93.575

BACKGROUND:

The County routinely receives funds from the California Department of Education (CDE) and California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide childcare and development services for infant/toddler and preschool children. The County receives the money via the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD). EHSD contracts with seven child care partner agencies to provide direct childcare and development services for infant/toddler and preschool children.

On July 15, 2021, Assembly Bill 131 (Chapter 116, Statutes of 2021) was passed and signed by Governor Newsom on July 23, 2021. Section 263(b)(1) of that bill states that CDE and CDSS are to provide a flat-rate one-time stipend amount of $600 per child enrolled in state subsidized child care or state preschool program funded through CDE or CDSS. Funds may be used for any allowable expense that would be reimbursable under any existing child development contract to address COVID-19 related costs or to ensure programs are able to remain open or reopen. Use of these funds are subject to audit and will be appropriately tracked by EHSD. Stipend allocation will be distributed to EHSD as a direct payment outside of the child development contract and will not be subject to applicable reporting requirements.

On October 20, 2021, directives from CDSS Child Care Bulletin 21-12 states, “whereas applicable, Contractors [EHSD] must make every effort to distribute stipend payments to child care providers no more than thirty (30) calendar days after the check is received by the contactor.” EHSD received the stipend funds on October 18, 2021. EHSD requests the Board of Supervisors authorize the Auditor-Controller to issue a one-time payment to the following child care partner agencies for services rendered in March 2021:

First Baptist Church of Pittsburg, California $157,200
Tiny Toes Preschool and Childcare Center $6,000
KinderCare Learning Centers, LLC. $9,600
Richmond Elementary School, Inc. $25,200
San Ramon Valley Unified School District $16,800
We Care Services for Children $14,400
Little Angels Country School, LLC. $15,000

March 2021 enrollment numbers have been verified by EHSD program and fiscal staff.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, child care partner agencies will not be paid for COVID-19 pandemic related expenses incurred to safeguard the health and safety of children in their care and child care partner agencies may experience diminished capacity to remain open for services rendered to EHSD.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Community Services Bureau of the Employment and Human Services Department’s Head Start program supports three of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes - Outcome 1: “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School,” Outcome 3: “Families that are Economically Self-sufficient,” and, Outcome 4: “Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing.” These outcomes are achieved by offering comprehensive services, including high quality early childhood education, nutrition, and health services to children from low income families throughout Contra Costa County.