Agenda

Return

C. 59

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Date:	April 18, 2023

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Stipends to Contra Costa County childcare facilities per California Assembly Bill 131 (Chapter 116, Statutes of 2021)

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 04/18/2023

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Ken Carlson, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

ABSENT:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor

Contact:

C. Youngblood (925) 608-4964

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: April 18, 2023
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

RATIFY the Employment and Human Services Department Licensed Child Care Facility Stabilization Stipend Funding Application through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director to accept the funds in the amount of $82,500 for 12 directly operated childcare facilities pursuant to California Assembly Bill 131 (Chapter 116, Statutes of 2021). This one time licensed childcare facility funds is effective immediately with no ending term, all funds will be used until exhausted.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The $82,500 allocation is 100% funded by the California Department of Education (CDE) and California Department of Social Services (CDSS). No County cost (100% federal funding)
AL# 93.596

AL# 93.575

BACKGROUND:

Assembly Bill 131 (Chapter 116, Statutes of 2021) provides for statutory changes necessary to enact the Child Care and Development statutory provisions of the Budget Act of 2021. Section 12 of that bill states that the State Department of Social Services is to provide a flat-rate one-time stipend amount to all licensed childcare facilities. The amount of each stipend is determined as follows:

· $3,500 - Child Care Center license max capacity of 14 children or less.
· $4,000 - Child Care Center license max capacity of between 15 and 24 children.
· $5,000 - Child Care Center license max capacity of between 25 and 60 children.
· $6,500 - Child Care Center license max capacity exceeds 60 children.

The stipends are intended to help stabilize licensed childcare centers to help cover expenses from the COVID-19 pandemic which include, but are not limited to, staff incentives/bonus pay, increased costs due to cleaning, sanitization, other COVID-19 related operating expenses, increased costs associated with distance learning, support for decreased enrollment, and any other activity necessary to maintain or resume facility operations, including support for fixed costs. This board order is ratify the funding application and approve and authorize the Employment and Human Services Director to accept the stabilization stipends for the twelve childcare centers directly operated by Community Services Bureau-Employment and Human Services Department.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, directly operated centers will not receive funds for COVID-19 pandemic related expenses incurred to safeguard the health and safety of children in their care.

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.