Agenda

Return

C. 46

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	May 11, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

2021 Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Cost-of-Living Adjustment

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 05/11/2021

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:

A. Bailey-Nesbitt, 925-608-4930

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: May 11, 2021
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 1.22% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), in an amount not to exceed $20,000 and to request a waiver of non-federal share for the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Program, for the term September 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Increase in supplemental Federal funds in the amount of $20,000 for Cost-of-Living Adjustment. The funding guidance includes the flexibility for waiver requests of non-federal match requirement through the public health emergency for the 2019 novel coronavirus.

FISCAL IMPACT: (CONT'D)

This action requests a waiver of the non-federal share of $5,000, computed at 25% of supplemental amount for the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Program (CFDA #93.600).

BACKGROUND:

Contra Costa County submits an application annually to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, ACF as the Head Start grantee. The Department of Health and Human Services, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 contains an increase for Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership. The increase provides a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 1.22 percent to assist grantees in increasing staff salaries and fringe benefits and offsetting higher operating costs. The Department intends to use the funding to cover negotiated increases to salaries and benefits. Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership services are operated by the Employment and Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau.

The coronavirus outbreak, a national emergency, is seriously affecting communities throughout the nation. The Head Start Act recognizes that lack of resources in a community adversely impacted by a major disaster may prevent Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grantees from providing all or a portion of their required non-federal contribution. The Office of Head Start (OHS) has determined that the widespread impact of the coronavirus outbreak adversely impacts all Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grantees. Consequently, OHS will approve all requests for waiver of non-federal match associated with the following COLA funds for the 2021 fiscal year.

As Community Services Bureau is planning to extend the budget period for Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership by four months to consolidate the grant with the base Head Start/Early Head Start grant, the Bureau is eligible for COLA funds in the amount of $20,000 for the period of September 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. This is a third of the annual amount of $60,000.

The Head Start Policy Council has reviewed the application and is anticipated to approve it at their next meeting on April 21, 2021. 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 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.