City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 17, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DCHS /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Approval for the Department of Community and Human Services to Receive Ready Regions Funding to Support the Implementation of Virginia Quality Birth to Five and carry out required functions.
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ISSUE: Consideration of approval for the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) to accept funds from the Virginia Department of Education (Ready Regions Capital Area) aimed at implementation of Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Authorize DCHS to enter into an agreement with Fairfax County beginning in FY 2024 to serve as the grant recipient for the City of Alexandria;
2. Approve DCHS's annual receipt of $290,000 to implement the requirements of VQB5;
3. Authorize an increase of 1.0 FTE for a Coordinated Enrollment position within DCHS and designate funding to Kids First Years to carry out the Family Engagement requirements; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: During its 2022 session, the General Assembly introduced legislation related to regional cooperation structures for early childhood care and education. This legislation became effective July 1, 2022. It required that the Virginia Board of Education establish a system of regional entities responsible for coordinating early childhood care and education services, guiding quality improvement of such services, and coordinated access to such services for families, and implementing the uniform measurement and improvement system. In July 2022, Fairfax County executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) reflecting Fairfax Co...
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