City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 8, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Recommendations for the Use of Local Child Care Subsidy Dollars Approved in the Context of the FY 2017 Budget Process.
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ISSUE: Consideration of recommendations for the use of $309,969 in local Child Care Subsidy (Subsidy) dollars approved in the context of the FY 2017 budget process.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the following:
1. Authorize $80,000 or as needed, to supplement the Scholarship for 4s program to fund a full day of care for approximately 12 four-year-olds from the Subsidy waiting list who are eligible for the Virginia Preschool Initiative; and
2. Authorize $229,969, or dollars remaining after serving VPI eligible four-year-olds, to fund the care of approximately 28 children from the Child Care Subsidy waiting list.
BACKGROUND: During the 2017 budget process, City Council approved the allocation of $309,969 to provide child care services to children whose families are on the Child Care Subsidy "Subsidy" waiting list. There are currently 66 four-year-olds on the waiting list who are potentially eligible for the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI). Each eligible four-year-old enrolled in a VPI participating community-based program allows the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) to draw down $3,000 from the State.
It is recommended that the use of these funds be prioritized for VPI eligible four-year-olds so that it is possible to draw down state VPI dollars to the extent possible. During FY 2016, 58 children were served over the course of the fiscal year, most for a full academic year but some for only a partial year. The lack of space has been a significant barrier to serving more VPI eligible children and the impact of a chang...
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