To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Administrative Office
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Update On Childcare Stabilization Fund Effort Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a presentation from Arcata Economic Development Commission (AEDC), which administers the Childcare Stabilization Fund program.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
American Rescue Plan Act - State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (3232-120200)
DISCUSSION:
On May 10, 2022, your Board approved a professional services contract with AEDC to administer, in partnership with local childcare agencies, a childcare stabilization program, funded by the ARPA - State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF). Since that time, AEDC and its partners have implemented significant parts of a grant and loan program, including:
• Granted funding to local childcare workers who worked during the pandemic,
• Begun work on tools to allow providers to report information to the state more efficiently, and most recently
• opened a forgivable loan program to transition centers and homes from preschool to infant/toddler care.
Additional steps have been taken in this program, which has a total value of $4.85 million. The program is putting together program details on a forgivable loan program for students studying childcare, as well as a program to help parents with moderate incomes to pay the difference between the subsidy they currently receive and the total amount of care. AEDC and partners will present on program progress and next steps.
More information on the Humboldt Childcare Stabilization Fund can be found at humboldtchildcare.org <https://www.humboldtchildcare.org/>.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY22-23 |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$4,613,675 |
|
$242,825 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$4,613,675 |
|
$242,825 |
|
Funding Sources (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY22-23 |
FY23-24 Projected* |
FY24-25 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$4,613,675 |
|
$242,825 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$4,613,675 |
|
$242,825 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The vast majority of funding for this program has already been paid to AEDC from the county’s Emergency Response Fund with an allocation from the ARPA SLFRF (3232-120200). The final 5% will be due and payable upon a final report submitted by AEDC after funds have been expended.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
Staff remain engaged with AEDC and partners to help guide certain parts of the program, however, by having AEDC administer the program they are able to expend funds more quickly and staff do not have to engage in writing contracts and other administrative tasks related to granting funding to individuals and businesses.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Framework.
Core Roles: Support business, workforce development and creation of private-sector jobs
New Initiatives: Retain existing and facilitate new living-wage private sector jobs and housing
Strategic Plan: 1.3 - Reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), improve implementation of trauma-informed care practices
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
AEDC, First 5 Humboldt, Changing Tides Family Services, Humboldt Child Care Council
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to receive this report. This is not recommended as the Board has not received an update on use of ARPA funding related to this program since it authorized the program’s creation in FY 2022-23.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-11
Meeting of: May 10, 2022
File No.: 22-497