SR-301-001-04
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.
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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 enhance-
ments to the City’s web page that will highlight early childhood programs and emerging
literacy activities.
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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
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