Title
Retroactive Approval for American Rescue Plan Act Funding for Head Start Birth to Five for Fiscal Year 2021-22 (Ordinance S-47783)
Description
Request to retroactively authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept, and, if awarded, enter into any necessary agreements for the Head Start and Child Care Partnership grants. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. There is no impact to the General Fund, as one-time funding is provided through the American Rescue Plan Act in the amount of $4,129,122.
Report
Summary
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start received $1 billion as a portion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. As a grantee, the City of Phoenix was allocated $4,129,122 to use in the prevention, preparation, and response to the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will be used to create or expand learning environments for toddler and preschool-aged children, purchase high-quality UV disinfecting machines to sanitize small classroom materials, continue mental health and wellness activities for families and staff, employment of additional staff in classrooms, furniture for new classrooms, additional materials for classrooms, lease or purchase of classroom space, and professional development. Funding may also be used to deliver meals and snacks to children in school and sanitize the learning and work environments. ARPA funds will be used for preschool-aged children's summer school opportunities in June 2022, 2023, and 2024. This is a non-competitive supplemental application.
The funding will be allocated based on the number of slots per program listed below:
- Head Start Education Service Providers (2,963 slots) - $2,963,000;
- Early Head Start Home-Based (300 slots) - $300,000; and
- Early Head Start Child Care Partners (188 slots) - $188,000.
As the grantee, the City of Phoenix will retain $678,122 to purchase or lease space to create service hubs for parents and Early Head Start socialization sites. Funding will also be used to purchase and replenish protective equipment for staff to use when meeting with parents, conducting home visits, or participating in community events.
The contracted Head Start Education Service Providers and Early Head Start Child Care Partners are listed below:
Education Service Providers
Alhambra Elementary School District
Booker T. Washington Child Development Center
Deer Valley Unified School District
Fowler Elementary School District
Greater Phoenix Urban League
Roosevelt Elementary School District
Washington Elementary School District
Child Care Partners
Cactus Kids Child Care Center
Fusion Minds dba Immanuel Care for Children
Out of This World Christian Child Care
Contract Term
The ARPA funding will be received July 1, 2021 and must be expended by June 30, 2024.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. One-time funding is provided through the ARPA funding.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.