FISCAL IMPACT: (CONT'D)
Head Start cost-of-living adjustment
Federal $280,282 = 80%
Match (In-Kind) $70,071 = 20%
Total = $350,353
In-Kind match is 20% of total funding
BACKGROUND:
Contra Costa County submits an application annually to U.S. Health and Human Services Department, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) as the Head Start grantee. The Head Start services are operated by the Employment & Human Services Department, Community Services Bureau. On December 18, 2015, President Obama signed Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 which contains an increase of approximately $570 million for programs under the Head Start Act for fiscal year 2016. A portion of the increase provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 1.8% to assist grantees in increasing staff salaries and fringe benefits and offsetting higher operating costs. The Department intends to use the funding to cover increased operational costs due to benefits and negotiated salary increases as well as to provide a pro-rate increase to delegate agency, First Baptist Head Start, in the amount of $36,798.
The Department plans to submit an application to ACF on June 15, 2016. The Head Start Policy Council will review the application for approval on June 1, 2016. This board order is to obtain Board of Supervisors approval for the grant submission.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If not approved, funding will be lost for 170 childcare slots.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Community Services Bureau of the Employment & 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.