City of Alexandria, Virginia
____________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 8, 2016
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Recommendations for the Use of Local Child Care Subsidy Dollars Approved in the Context of the FY 2017 Budget Process.
BODY
_____________________________________________________________________________
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 change in eligibility this year (from 250% of the poverty level to 200%) is unknown at this time. There are currently approximately 320 children, infant to five years old on the Subsidy waiting list, including the four-year-olds referred to above.
FISCAL IMPACT: In the context of the FY 2017 budget process, City Council approved $309,969 in contingent reserves to serve families on the Child Care Subsidy waiting list. The recommendation of DCHS staff is to prioritize the use of these funds to serve four-year-olds from the Subsidy waiting list who are eligible for the Virginia Preschool Initiative. ACPS would then be able to draw down $3,000 in State funds for each eligible child. Funds not utilized for VPI eligible children would be used to serve children on the child care subsidy waiting list.
ATTACHMENT: None
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
Kate Garvey, Director, Department of Community and Human Services
Suzanne T. Chis, Deputy Executive Director, DCHS
Morgan Routt, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Deborah Warren, Director, Center for Children and Families, DCHS
Carol Farrell, Chief, Early Childhood Division, DCHS