Student Services and Federal Programs Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, April 5, 2011
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Amendment #2 of the School Readiness Program Contract with Hillsborough School Readiness Coalition, Inc., D/B/A the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County Designating a Portion of Current Funding to Community Based Quality Services (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This contract provides early education and child care services for children from income-eligible families in School Readiness child care facilities.  Through Amendment #2, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County designates a portion of current School Readiness funding to community based quality services.  The effective date of this amendment is April 1, 2011.  Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Early Childhood School Readiness Programs, the contract was received in its office on March 15, 2011.  The timeline regarding this issue did not coincide with the School Board meeting schedule, which results in requesting Board approval after the fact.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Align financial resources to support the district’s strategic goals
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
The original total of $44,984,034 is decreased by $2.3 million, designating a portion of current School Readiness Program funds to community based quality services.  Current total funding of $42,684,034, minus intake and eligibility services; child care resource and referral; and administration costs leaves $35,443,089 for direct child care services.  This consists of $31,878,606 School Readiness slot dollars and $3,564,483 in ARRA funding, for direct child care services inclusive of Gold Seal expenditures.  At an annual average of $4,000 per child, these funds will serve approximately 8,861 children.  The federal/state funding originates with the Agency for Workforce Innovation Office of Early Learning flowing through Hillsborough County School Readiness Coalition, Inc., doing business as Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County and passed to Hillsborough County Public Schools to provide early education and child care for children from eligible low-income families.  The term of the contract is July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
EVALUATION
Each year the financial statements are audited by Hillsborough County School Readiness Coalition, as prescribed by law.  The funding for Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County is provided through federal dollars.  The flow-through dollars are channeled by Agency for Workforce Innovations.   School Readiness Program uses these funds to purchase child care in Hillsborough County.  There is no district-generated revenue used for this purchase.
SUBMITTED BY:  Beverly Wickson, Ed.D., Director, Early Childhood and HOST Programs

Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent		Gretchen Saunders
Student Services and Federal Programs (813) 272-4879		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		A 5.19
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20110405_457 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.19