Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director of Social Planning

SUBJECT:

2002 Childcare Grants Allocation Report 3 of 3

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

On April 30, 2002, Council approved the interim 2002 Operating Budget, which resulted in an allocation of $694,647 for the Childcare Grants Program.

Approval of grant recommendations requires eight affirmative votes

PURPOSE

This report makes recommendations for the final allocations of $24,500 for the 2002 Childcare Grants Program.

BACKGROUND

The Childcare Grants Ceiling Report identified the priorities and granting process for the three grant categories described in this report.

DISCUSSION

1. Program Development Grant

This grant category was established in 1992 to assist with the non-capital costs associated with opening up a new or expanded non-profit, licensed childcare program. In the Spring of 2002, Council approved the Strategic Plan for child development services, which promotes the development of Neighbourhood hubs in community centres, schools, child development centres, etc., and offers a range of child development services.

Thunderbird Neighbourhood Association has provided a 20 space licensed preschool and 30 space out of school care program for a number of years. During the past year, the program expanded in order to meet growing demands, to offer a broader range of child development services and to ensure financial viability and flexibility. The association is now offering a continuum of service for children through the addition of a licensed 20 space 3 to 5 year old program and a 10 space junior out of school care program for children ages 5 to 7 years. In order to meet the broad developmental age ranges of these children, additional programming aids and materials are required. This grant would assist the program in being better equippedto address the needs of the additional children, while embracing the principles of the child development hub articulated in the City's Strategic Plan for child care. Community Care Licensing has also provided a letter of support for this initiative. A grant of $5,000 is recommended.

2. Program Stabilization Grant

This grant program has, in the past, been very effective in preventing closures of parent run, non-profit childcare centres, which experience financial difficulties. Grants help non-profit centres stabilize their financial situation, restructure their financial systems, and do long term financial planning. Reports to Council for this category are brought forward as required.

Kiwassa Variety Club Daycare program is a non-profit inclusive childcare centre licensed for 25 children ages 3 to 5 years. It provides excellent inclusive childcare for children with special needs and is one of the three participating programs in the continuous quality improvement project, funded by the City. As a result of low registration, non-recoverable parent fees, and an inadequate fee schedule, all due to recent administrative changes, the program generated a $24,000 deficit. Management has implemented a revised accounts receivable system, increased parent fees and taken the necessary steps to fill vacancies, as measures to mitigate this deficit. A grant of $5,000 is recommended.

3. Research, Policy Development and Innovations

The purpose of this grant is to encourage and support new childcare research, policy development or support service initiatives. In the 2002 Childcare Grants Ceiling Report, it was recommended that any projects funded under this category should focus on enhancing the sustainability and adaptability of childcare in Vancouver.

The YMCA will be the operator for the new Mole Hill Child Development project. This childcare centre will replace the Pendrell Child Care portable with a permanent site in the Mole Hill Housing complex. The childcare centre will provide 25 licensed childcare spaces for children 3 to 5 years of age. Adjacent to the main building will be two family childcare homes licensed for 11 additional childcare spaces. While the family child care providers will be independent operators from the YMCA, the YMCA will provide support, equipment, training and networking to the family childcare providers, should they choose to participate. In addition, the YMCA will facilitate parent education programs, evening and/or weekend drop in, and other family/caregiver resources.

The YMCA has initiated dialogue with the Vancouver Society of Children's Centres (VSOCC), which operates Dorothy Lam, Quayside and Library Square childcare. VSOCC is also in the early stages of discussing a merger with the Pooh Corner Child Care Society. There is an opportunity for the YMCA and VSOCC to work together in the planning and delivery of a broader Neighbourhood based child development hub, utilizing the various facilities and resources, and to leverage provincial funding for the Early Childhood Development Initiative. This project will provide opportunities to document and revise future policy which supports the ECD hub model. This grant will be tied to the conditions of a joint Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Vancouver and the YMCA. A grant of $12,000 is recommended.

The second Research and Policy Development project is a proposed funding partnership between Vancouver Foundation, UBC Child Care Services, the BC Association of Child Care Services and the City of Vancouver. Work will be undertaken jointly by UBC Child Care Services and the BC Association of Child Care Services, to expand public awareness of, and involvement in, the child care issues. Through a facilitated process, participants will develop a series of dialogue papers on topics such as child care planning, regulation, safety and quality, program administration, training, and public policy. Papers will be useful public information and education tools. This process will include key representatives from businesses, municipal government and the media. Staff recommend a grant of $2,500.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The 2002 budget for Civic Childcare Grants was $694,647. Council previously approved grants totalling $670,136. Approval of the four grants recommended in this report will leave a balance of $11 from the 2002 Childcare Grant fund. The grants recommended for Council's approval are:

Program Development Grant $ 5,000
Program Stabilization Grant $ 5,000
Research, Policy Development and Innovations Grant $12,000
Research, Policy Development and Innovations Grant $ 2,500

CONCLUSION

This is the third of three reports related to the allocation of the 2002 Childcare Grants. Social Planning is recommending for Council approval three grants totalling $24,500, leaving a balance of $0 in the Childcare Grants Fund (See Appendix A)

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ag021105.htm

APPENDIX A

 

Date of Report to Council

Proposed 2002 Guidelines

Recommended to Date

City-Wide Childcare Support

July

$254,032

$241,746

Administration of City-Owned

July

$ 65,883

$ 78,150

Program Enhancement

July

$123,321

$123,321

Inner-City Childcare

July

$226,919

$226,919

Program Stabilization

as required

$ 5,140

$ 5,000

Program Development

November

$ 5,107

$ 5,000

Research/Policy Dev. Innovations

November

$ 14,245

$ 14,500

T O T A L

 

$694,647

$694,636

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