Agenda

Return

C. 73

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

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Stipends to Contra Costa County childcare providers per CA Assembly Bill 82

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:	C. Youngblood, (925) 608-4964
cc:	Theodore Trinh Haydee Ilan Christina Reich Nasim Eghlima

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 Auditor-Controller, or designee, to pay stipends to seven contracted childcare providers in an amount not to exceed $187,950 ($525 per child enrolled in November 2020) pursuant to California Assembly Bill 82. (100% State)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The $187,950 of stipends are funded 100% by State [California Department of Education]. No county match required.

BACKGROUND:

The County routinely receives funds from the California Department of Education (CDE), via the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), to provide childcare and development services for infant/toddler and preschool age children. In turn, EHSD contracts with seven child care providers to provide direct childcare and development services for infant/toddler and preschool children.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

On February 23, 2021, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 82, to provide a flat-rate one-time stipend amount of $525 per child enrolled in November 2020 for subsidized childcare or a State Preschool program through CDE. 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 the programs are able to remain open or reopen. In addition, funds may also be expended for minor remodeling, and for upgrading child care facilities to assure that State and local child care standards are met, including applicable health and safety requirements. The fund expenditure is subject to audit, and will be appropriately tracked by Employment and Human Services Department. Stipend funds must be expended by June 30, 2022. Stipend allocation was distributed from the State to EHSD as a direct payment outside of EHSD's child development contract, and will not be subject to the reporting requirements associated with a child development contract.

EHSD must make every effort to distribute stipend funds to the partner agencies within thirty (30) calendar days of April 15, 2021. Thus, the Department requests the board to authorize the Auditor-Controller to issue one-time payments to each of the following service providers in the amounts indicated:

Kindercare Mahogany - $7,875
First Baptist Church of Pittsburg, CA - $128,625
Tiny Toes - $5,775
Richmond College Prep - $9,450
San Ramon Valley Unified School District - $12,600
We Care Services for Children - $13,125
Little Angels Country School LLC - $10,500

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If not approved, providers will not be paid for pandemic expenses incurred to ensure the health and safety of children in their care and ensure the ability to remain open for services rendered to the Employment and Human Services Department.

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.