Item 1-E

Meeting Date: August 26, 2003 Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Designation of the Santa Monica Child Care and Early Education Task Force as the eligible Local Council for the City of Santa Monica for the purposes of the Early Learning Opportunities Act Discretionary Grant Program

INTRODUCTION

This report recommends City Council confirm the designation of the Santa Monica Child Care and Early Education Task Force (SMCCEETF) as the eligible Local Council for the City of Santa Monica for the purposes of the Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) discretionary grant program.

BACKGROUND

On July 1, 2003, the National League of Cities notified the City of Santa Monica about the availability of funds for competitive ELOA grants to Local Councils through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Eligible applicants include “Local Councils” designated by local governments. The SMCCEETF membership meets the grant criteria as an eligible applicant because its membership includes “representatives of local agencies involved in early learning programs, parents, key community leaders, and other individuals concerned with early learning issues,” such as child care resource and referral services, child care providers, etc.

In order to submit the application for funds by the August 6, 2003 deadline, the City Manager signed a letter designating the SMCCEEFT as the local council eligible to apply for ELOA funds (Attachment). The letter followed the template required by the Administration for Children and Families.

On July 31, 2003, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education authorized the SMMUSD to serve as fiscal agent for submitting the grant application on behalf of the SMCCEETF and administering any grant funds awarded.

DISCUSSION

The intent of the grant application submitted by the SMCCEETF is to increase, support, expand and better coordinate early learning opportunities for children and their families through local community organizations. If funded, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s Family Support Program will be expanded to provide Welcome Home Visits to families with newborns in Santa Monica, plus a series of community workshops and programs to promote early literacy. In addition, funds have been requested for new resources at the Parenting Center in the new Santa Monica Main Library and enhancements to the City’s web page that will highlight early childhood programs and emerging literacy activities.

BUDGET IMPACT

There is no budget impact of designating the task force as the Local Council. If grant funds are awarded, staff will make any appropriate budget changes in conjunction with the annual cycle of budget reports.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the City Council confirm the designation of the Santa Monica Child Care and Early Education Task Force (SMCCEETF) as the eligible Local Council for the City of Santa Monica for the Purposes of the Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) discretionary grant program.

PREPARED BY: Karen Ginsberg, Assistant Director, CCS

Tracy Scruggs, Human Services Supervisor

Attachment (Not available electronically. Available for review at the City Clerk’s Office and at the City’s Public Libraries.)