To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Contract # 38-286-15 KinderCare Learning Centers LLC Amendments
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to execute contract amendments with KinderCare Learning Centers LLC, to increase the payment limit by $200,216, to a new payment limit not to exceed $1,320,231 to provide State General Childcare, and Head Start and Early Head Start services from July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024, and from August 1, 2024, to August 31, 2024, subject to approval by the County Administrator and approval as to form by County Counsel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$200,216: 51% Federal (Administration of Children and Families for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs), 49% State (California Department of Social Services for State General Childcare), all of which is budgeted in FY 24-25.
BACKGROUND:
On May 23, 2024, the Administration of Children and Family (ACF) notified the Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) that the 2024-2028 Competitive Head Start Application is still under review and directed EHSD to submit grant extension requests to ensure current childcare services may continue through July 2024. Maintaining service levels requires the County to extend the 2023-24 childcare partner contracts by two months, and to provide additional funding to cover the cost of services.
The approval of this action will extend the prior approved contract for a term of July 1, 2023, through July 31, 2024 to provide one month service for the State General Childcare, and Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. The amended term shall include an increase of the total payment limit to $1,320,231.
On May 16, 2023, the Board approved item C.36 authorizing executing a contract with KinderCare Learning Centers LLC for a term of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, with a total payment limit of $893,989.
On February 27, 2024, the Board approved item C.54 authorizing a contract amendment to increase payment limit by $226,026 to a new amount not to exceed $1,120,015 with no change in term.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
County will not be able to partner with KinderCare Learning Centers LLC and children who are already enrolled in the program will not have continuous childcare.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This contract supports one (1), three (3) and four (4) of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card, (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (3) "Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; and (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing".