Title
Phoenix Public Library's Request to Apply, Accept, and Enter an Agreement for Federal Library Services and Technology Act Funds (Ordinance S-44292)
Description
Phoenix Public Library (PPL) requests authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept and enter into an agreement for funds up to the amount of $50,000, to be used to create an early language (age birth to three years) development partnership program for low-income families, from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act in FY 2018-2019. This also requests authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
Phoenix Public Library (PPL), Phoenix Head Start, and Southwest Human Development (SWHD) will use grant funds to create a pilot partnership program to promote early language development for low-income families with children age birth to three years. Funds will be used to purchase Starling Digital Word Counters (imagine a Fitbit™ for words) which will be used across three different service delivery platforms: Phoenix Public Library "Smart Talk" series, Early Head Start Home Visits and child care partnerships, and SWHD "Raising a Reader" programs. Families will use the devices in their homes for up to eight weeks and receive real time feedback on the amount of words the child is hearing during the course of a day. Data from the devices, as well as participant surveys will be utilized to evaluate impact and provide a foundation of measurement in which to determine a potential for an expanded deployment.
Research shows that the quality of a child's experiences in the first few years of life--positive or negative--help shape his or her brain development and ability to learn and succeed in school and in life. Research also tells us that a child's success in school is linked to the quality and quantity of words spoken to the child in the first three years of life.
This item has been reviewed and approved by the Information Technology Services Department.
Financial Impact
The amount of the grant (up to $50,000) will be expended in FY2018-2019 and no matching funds are required.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was recommended for approval at the Parks, Arts, Education and Equality Subcommittee meeting on Jan. 24, 2018 by a vote of 4-0.
Location
This pilot partnership program will be implemented in Council Districts 4, 5, and 7.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and Phoenix Public Library.