ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: February 1, 2000
Author/Local: P. Coates/R. Gates

871-6036

RTS No. 1236

CC File No. 2402

CS&B: February 17, 2000

TO:	Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM:	Director of Community Services, Social Planning
SUBJECT:	2000 Childcare Grants: Funding Level

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve a 2000 Childcare Grants Program budget of $679,300 to be allocated to the grant categories outlined in this report, subject to final Council approval of the 2000 Operating Budget.

COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

POLICY

Council established the annual civic childcare grants program on October 23, 1990, as part of the Civic Childcare Strategy. The overall objectives of this grant program are:

· to support the viability, accessibility and quality of existing childcare services;
· to assist childcare initiatives in high need areas;
· to encourage and support efficient, co-ordinated administrative services required for a childcare system in Vancouver;
· to lever other sources of childcare funding whenever possible.

The budget ceiling for the Childcare Grants program is established annually, prior to the development of recommendations for specific grant allocations.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to establish a budget ceiling for the 2000 Childcare Grants program.

BACKGROUND

In 1999, Council approved an overall Childcare Grants budget of $672,600, and during the year, Council then approved 54 grant allocations from this budget. The 1999 funds directly supported and enhanced the quality of over 2,500 licensed childcare spaces. Through the funding of City-wide Childcare Support Services, parents, caregivers, childcare boards and community groups were able to access essential information about childcare, receive consultative and referral services and participate in activities, events and workshops which promoted and strengthened quality childcare throughout the City. City funding was key to accessing provincial dollars for continued funding of the childcare support services provided by Westcoast Childcare Resource Centre.

DISCUSSION

The General Manager of Corporate Services/Director of Finance has advised that the 2000 grants budgets may be adjusted to include a 1% increase for inflation; therefore the proposed 2000 childcare grants budget is $679,300. It is proposed that the 2000 childcare grants budget be allocated as follows amongst the seven existing categories:

	1999 Budget	Proposed 2000 Guidelines
Program Enhancement	120,000	120,000
Inner-city Childcare	214,000	218,000
Program Stabilization	5,000	5,000
Program Development	0	5,000
Research/Policy Dev./Innovations	20,000	16,550
City-wide Childcare Support	248,850	250,000
Admin. of City-owned	64,750	64,750

The Childcare Grants Program categories, each with its distinct priorities, eligibility criteria and granting process, are as follows:

1. Program Enhancement

Under this category, grants are provided in order to achieve greater equity in the delivery and quality of childcare services in the City. Last year funds were targeted at initiatives in high need group daycare and school-aged programs for food supplement programs, child/staff ratios, extended hours of operation and strengthened, co-ordinated administration. Recommendations will be brought to Council in June 2000.

2. Inner-city Childcare Sustaining Grants

This grant program, established in 1992 as Phase I of a Civic Childcare Direct Operating Grant program, is targeted at non-profit organizations providing licensed childcare services to low income, high need families in inner-city neighbourhoods and charging fees to parents that are at or below the City-wide average. In 1999, grants of up to $12,600 were allocated to 22 centres for basic operating costs such as staffing and food costs. It is anticipated that the 22 inner-city centres identified in 1999 will re-apply and one or two more programs may be added. For the year 2000, it is recommended the overall funding be set at $218,000. Recommendations will be brought forward to Council in a June report.

3. Program Stabilization

This grant program has in the past been very effective in preventing the closure of parent run, non-profit childcare centres which experience financial difficulties. Reports to Council for this category are brought forward as required.

4. Program Development

This grant category was established to provide some assistance to non-profit societies with the non-capital costs associated with developing new childcare services, particularly in high need areas of the city. Now that provincial wage related operating funds are once again available for new programs, albeit on a limited basis it is recommended that the City reinstate $5,000 as a funding guideline for the program development category. Applicants will be required to provide evidence that their proposed new programs will be eligible for provincial funding.

5. Research, Policy Development and Innovations Fund

The purpose of this grant is to encourage and support new childcare research, policy or support service initiatives. In 1999, a grant totalling $20,675 was allocated to Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre for the organization of think tank and feedback sessions on the recently released provincial childcare discussion paper.

6. City-wide Childcare Support Services

This grant category fund was created to support the basic infrastructure that is integral to developing a viable, effective, high quality childcare system in the City. Services receiving funding under this category must agree to work closely with City staff to enhance childcare in Vancouver and further the civic childcare objectives. It is also assumed that they will seek additional funding from senior levels of government and other funders. Recommendations for this category will be brought forward to Council in April/May, 2000.

7. Grant for Administration of City-owned Facilities

This grant category was established to support the administrative costs of new City-owned childcare facilities negotiated as conditions of rezonings, bonusing and development permit approvals.

In December 1994, Council approved start-up funding for the newly created Vancouver Society of Children's Centres (VSOCC). VSOCC is now operating Library Square Children's Centre, Dorothy Lam Children’s Centre and the recently opened Quayside children’s centre. As noted, in the January 13, 2000 report to Council on the endowment reserve, VSOCC will be working closely with City staff throughout the year to develop a viable plan for the future childcare expansion in the Downtown peninsular.

It is recommended that $64,750 be allocated to the Administration of City-owned facilities grant category. Details of VSOCC’s workplan and budget will be reported to Council in March/April 2000.

CONCLUSION

The Director of Community Services, Social Planning recommends approval of a 2000 Childcare Grants Program budget of $679,300 to meet the priorities outlined for the seven grant categories.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver