Agenda

Return

C. 48

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

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2023 Head Start and Early Head Start Cost-of-Living Adjustment and Quality Improvement

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:

V. Kaplan, (925) 608-5052

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):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to apply for and accept the 5.6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) in the amount of $1,520,987 and Quality Improvement (QI) increase in the amount of $587,885 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), for a total not to exceed $2,108,872 for the Head Start and Early Head Start Program, for the term January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

FISCAL IMPACT:

$1,216,667 is for Head Start Program, federally funded by Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The County, as Grantee, is required to generate a non-federal share of $304,166.75, computed at 25% of supplemental amount for the Head Start Program. (CFDA #93.600) This match is achieved through collaboration with State Child Development programs and the volunteer hours accrued by Head Start parents and community partners. $892,205 is for the Early Head Start Program, federally funded by Administration for Children and Families. The County, as Grantee, is required to generate a non-federal share of $223,051.25, computed at 25% of supplemental amount for the Early Head Start Program. (CFDA #93.600) This match is achieved through collaboration with State Child Development programs and the volunteer hours accrued by Early Head Start parents and community partners.

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa County submits an application annually to U.S. Health and Human Services Department, ACF as the Head Start and Early Head Start grant recipient. On September 20, 2022 (C.40), the Board approved the 2023 Head Start and Early Head Start Continuation Grant for the term January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. The Department of Health and Human Services Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 contains a funding increase for Head Start.

On March 15, 2023, Administration for Child & Families provided COLA & Quality Improvement Funding Guidance letter to the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), Community Services Bureau (CSB). The COLA supports a 5.60 percent adjustment above FY 2022 funding levels to increase the pay scales of Head Start and Early Head Start staff, including vacant positions, fringe benefits, and to offset higher operating costs. Of the $1,520,987 in COLA funding, ACF allocated $629,511 to Early Head Start and $891,476 for Head Start. Quality Improvement funds are allocated proportionately based on federal funded enrollment levels, with additional adjustments given to smaller grant recipients to allow for a meaningful investment, as permitted by the Act. Of the $587,885 in Quality Improvement funding, ACF allocated $262,694 to Early Head Start and $325,191 for Head Start.

COLA will be applied to the Head Start and Early Head Start services that are operated by the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), Community Services Bureau (CSB). This funding increase will contribute to the COLA that was already approved by Board of Supervisor on August 16, 2022. COLA will contribute to staff salaries and fringe benefits. Additionally, any offset for higher operating costs CSB will also allocate quality improvement funding proportionate to federal funded enrollment in order to make ongoing investments to address local needs and increase quality of the Head Start and Early Head Start program, including recruitment and retention of quality Head Start and Early Head Start staff. A 5.6% increase in childcare rates will be applied to all CSB-EHSD Childcare partners with federal childcare slots.

The Head Start Policy Council has reviewed the application and is anticipated to approve it at their next meeting on April 19, 2023. This board order is to obtain Board of Supervisors' approval for the grant submission.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, funding to assist with Head Start operating costs will be forfeited.

CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Community Services Bureau of the Employment and Human Services Department’s Head Start program supports three (3) 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 low-income children throughout Contra Costa County.