ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 20, 1998

Author/Local: PCoates/6042

CC File No. 2401

TO:	Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM:	Director of Community Services, Social Planning
SUBJECT:	1998 Childcare Grants: Funding level

---

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve a 1998 Childcare Grants Program budget of $672,600 to meet the grant category priorities outlined in this report.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

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

COUNCIL 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 1998 Childcare Grants program

·to recommend or re-affirm the priorities and funding guidelines for the seven grant categories within the Childcare Grants program.

BACKGROUND

In 1997, Council approved an overall Childcare Grants budget of $665,895. During the past year, Council approved 53 grant allocations.

Total Allocated

·24 Program Enhancement $128,895

·20 Inner-city Childcare 194,500

·1 Program Stabilization 15,000

·1 Program Development 5,000

·1 Research/Policy Dev./Innovations 5,000

·5 City-wide Childcare 254,000

·1 Admin. of City-owned facilities 63,500

The 1997 funds directly supported and enhanced the quality of over 2,500 licensed childcare spaces and assisted in the creation of 20 new 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;

·a capital grant for 1 new childcare centre.

DISCUSSION

The Director of Finance has advised that the 1998 budget figure is to be adjusted by 1% inflation over the 1997 Childcare Grants budget of $665,895. It is proposed that the 1998 childcare grants ceiling of $672,600 be allocated as follows amongst the seven existing categories:

Proposed

Budget Actual 1998

1997 1997 Guidelines

Program Enhancement 133,395 128,895 130,000

Inner-city Childcare 190,000 194,500 201,000

Program Stabilization 5,000 15,000 5,000

Program Development 10,000 5,000 0

Research/Policy Dev./Innovations 10,000 5,000 15,500

City-wide Childcare Support 254.000 254,000 257,000

Admin. of City-owned 63,500 63,500 64,100

This allocation reflects the City's continued strong commitment to support inner-city and other high need childcare services, and our ongoing responsibility for supporting the administration of the City-owned childcare facilities created through major rezonings and City projects. It also reflects the need to undertake some additional research and potential policy development in light of the provincial government’s transfer of their childcare mandate from the Ministry of Women’s Equality to the Ministry for Children and Families(MCF) and the increased focus on childcare as part of an early intervention strategy.

DESCRIPTION OF GRANT CATEGORIES AND RECOMMENDED PRIORITIES

The Childcare Grants program is divided into seven categories, each with its distinct priorities, eligibility criteria and granting process.

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. It is suggested that these priorities continue, and the maximum grantsize be maintained at $10,500. and the funding guideline be set at 130,000. The eligibility and granting process will remain the same. Recommendations will be brought to Council in July 1998.

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 1997, grants of up to $12,500 were allocated to 20 centres for basic operating costs such as staffing and food costs. Civic funds continue to be essential to the ongoing viability of these programs.

For 1998, it is recommended that the priorities remain as originally established, the maximum grant level be increased slightly to $12,600 and the overall funding level for the category be set at $201,000. This increase in the guideline reflects the need for continued support to inner-city childcare programs. It is anticipated that the 20 inner-city centres identified in 1997 will re-apply and that one or two more centres may be added to the program as noted above. Societies may also be eligible for Program Enhancement Grant monies so screening will occur concurrently and recommendations will be brought forward to Council in a July 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. Last year there was one request for emergency funding under this category. It is considered advisable to keep $5,000 available. It is recommended that for 1998, the priorities, eligibility criteria and granting process established at the time of the Civic Childcare Strategy, be continued. 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. However, given the existing provincial freeze on Wage Supplement Initiative funding for new childcare programs, the Childcare Co-ordinator is recommending that for 1998, no funds be allocated for this category.

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 1997, one project was funded by the City: a childcare needs assessment for the workers at Hastings Park racetrack.

The massive restructuring of services for children and families which is now being undertaken by the new Ministry for Children and Families, is expected to have significant implications for childcare. It is therefore recommended that priority in 1998 be given to research and policy development projects which are focused on enhancing the sustainability and adaptability of childcare in Vancouver. A $15,500 funding level is recommended. The eligibility and granting process will remain as established. Projects will be brought forward for Council consideration in March/April or July.

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.

Priority will continue to be given to city-wide support services including:

-information and referral services to parents seeking childcare;

-financial and administrative consultation services to childcare boards and staff;

-information, referral consultation and staff training opportunities for childcare services related to ESL, multicultural and diversity issues;

-information and resource materials related to establishing and operating childcare programs;

-training, networking and collaboration opportunities within the Vancouver childcare community;

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. Eligibility and the granting process remain as established. The overall funding guideline proposed is $257,000. This year, the Childcare Co-ordinator will work with Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre and the Ministry for Children and Families to see how supports for school-aged care can be strengthened, and increased collaboration amongst childcare services within each MCF network area can be encouraged. Recommendations will be brought forward to Council in April/May, 1998.

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 the recently opened Library Square Children's Centre. In 1998, the new Roundhouse Children’s Centre will be opening and design work on the Quayside and Western neighbourhood facilities will continue. The society will be responsible for the ongoing management of all of these childcare centres.

It is recommended that $64,100 be allocated to the Administration of City-owned facilities grant category. Details of VSOCC's workplan and budget will be reported to Council in April/May 1998.

CONCLUSION

The Director of Community Services, Social Planning recommends approval of a 1998 Childcare Grants Program budget of $672,600 to meet the priorities outlined for the seven grant categories.

* * * * *

(c) 1997 City of Vancouver