To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Contract Amendment with KinderCare Learning Centers
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute a contract amendment with KinderCare Learning Centers LLC to increase the payment limit by $226,026 to a new amount not to exceed $1,120,015 to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services, and State General Childcare program services, with no change to term July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$226,026; funded by 51% Federal grant funds from the Administration for Children and Families (Head Start and Early Head Start programs) and 49% State funds through the California Department of Education, all of which is budgeted for in FY 2023-2024. There is no County match requirement.
BACKGROUND:
This contract amendment is to pass through cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments received by the department from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Contra Costa County receives funds from ACF to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services to program eligible County residents. The Employment and Human Services Department, in turn, contracts with several community-based organizations to provide a wider distribution of services.
On May 16, 2023, (C.36), the Board approved KinderCare contract renewal for the period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, with a total payment limit of $893,989.
On March 15, 2023, Administration for Child & Families provided COLA & Quality Improvement Funding Guidance letter to the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD). The COLA supports a 5.60 percent adjustment increase from the previous fiscal year pay scales for Head Start and Early Head Start. The Board of Supervisors approved and authorized this increase in revenue for the Head Start and Early Head Start funds on April 18, 2023 (C.48).
In addition to the pass through of COLA funding, KinderCare LLC will provide additional services at a new childcare center, Lone Tree Way KinderCare, effective January 15, 2024. This contract amendment is also for the addition of 44 childcare program slots.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If not approved, the County will not be able to increase funds for childcare slots for its community-based agency partner, KinderCare Learning Centers LLC.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The Employment and Human Services Department Community Services Bureau supports three of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes - Outcome 1: Children Ready for and Succeeding in School, Outcome 3: Families that are Economically Self-sufficient, and Outcome 4: Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing.