HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6k. Authorization to apply for a Licensed Childcare Facility Stabilization Stipend Item 6k
Department: Parks and Recreation
Cost Center: 7003
For Agenda of: 10/19/2021
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Greg Avakian, Parks & Recreation Director
Prepared By: Meghan Burger, Recreation Manager and Aleah Bergam, Parks and
Recreation Analyst
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR A LICENSED CHILDCARE FACILITY
STABILIZATION STIPEND FROM CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve a Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, approving the application for a Licensed Child Care Facility Stabilization
Stipend”; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary stipend documents and
appropriate the stipend amount into the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget
upon award.
DISCUSSION
In April 2021, the State of California and California Child Care Providers United agreed
to provide COVID-19 financial relief paid directly to licensed childcare providers. The
2021-22 State Budget recently approved by the Legislature and signe d by Governor
Newsom therefore includes “Licensed Childcare Facility Stabilization” stipend funds,
which are being distributed by the CDSS. These one-time “licensed stipends” will be
facilitated by the Community Care Licensing Division’s Childcare Program in response to
the need created by the COVID-19 pandemic. These licensed stipends are intended to
help stabilize existing licensed childcare facility operations and provide support for
expenses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic including, but not limited to:
Staff incentives or bonus pay
Increased costs due to cleaning, sanitization, and other COVID-19 related
operating expenses
Increased costs associated with distance learning
Support for decreased enrollment
Any other activity necessary to maintain or resume facility operations, including
support for fixed costs
Page 745 of 850
Item 6k
The City provides licensed childcare programming at five school sites in the City of San
Luis Obispo and is eligible to apply for the stipend. Due to current work conditions, staff
have continued to face challenges in recruitment and retention of qualified childcare
aides, teachers, and head teachers. Staff anticipates utilizing the stipend to provide
competitive wages as well as augmented funding for scholarships to help support families
impacted economically by the COVID-19 pandemic and provide childcare to children in
need.
Policy Context
The City’s Financial Management Manual, Section 740, requires City Council
authorization to submit grant applications in excess of $5,000. In particular, section 3(d)
states:
For grants in excess of $5,000, prepare a Council Agenda Report
requesting authorization to seek grant funding. This report should describe
the grant program's conformance with this policy, including the results of
the cost/benefit analysis.
Staff finds that submittal of a stipend application for City childcare programming meets
the City’s Grant Management Policy, outlined in Section 740, as there is an opportunity
to significantly leverage City funds on balance with only modest staff time required to
prepare the stipend application; the proposed stipend applications would result in
additional priority work efforts being implemented; and, all stipend administration,
tracking, and reporting will be conducted in accordance with applicable City policy and
any requirements specified in an awarded contract.
Public Engagement
As this is an authorization to apply for stipend funding from the CDSS, no additional public
Outreach was undertaken. The item will be considered by City Council during public
session.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended action in
this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2021-22
Funding Identified: Yes
Page 746 of 850
Item 6k
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund N/A* $ $ $
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $ $ $ $
* Project/service will be completed through budgeted in -house resources
The City’s Parks and Recreation Department has time allocated within its normal work
program to prepare and submit the stipend application. If successful, the $28,000 stipend
will augment the current Youth Services operating budget by providing funding for
competitive wages, costs associated with cleaning, sanitization, and other COVID-19
related operating expenses, and student scholarships.
ALTERNATIVES
1. The City Council could request additional information or analysis from staff.
2. The City Council could deny the request to submit a stipend application.
ATTACHMENTS
A – Draft Resolution authorizing staff to pursue a licensed childcare facility stabilization
stipend
Page 747 of 850
Page 748 of 850
R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2021 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR A
LICENSED CHILD CARE FACILITY STABILIZATION STIPEND
WHEREAS, in April 2021, the State of California and California Child Care
Providers United agreed to provide COVID-19 financial relief paid directly to licensed
childcare providers; and
WHEREAS, the 2021-22 State Budgeted approved by the Legislature and signed
by Governor Newsom includes stipend funds, which are being distributed by the
Department of Social Services; and
WHEREAS, the funds are intended to help stabilize existing licensed child care
facility operations and provide support associated with expenses from the COVID-19
pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo’s child care program is licensed by the
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division and is
eligible to apply for the stipend funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Approves the filing of an application for a Licensed Child Care Facility
Stabilization Stipend; and
SECTION 2. Delegates the authority to the City Manager to conduct all
negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications,
agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the
completion of the Stipend Scope; and
Page 749 of 850
Resolution No. _____ (2021 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 3. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws,
ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines.
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member
___________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _______________ 2021.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
Page 750 of 850