SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 1
CS&B COMMITTEE AGENDA
JULY 27, 1995
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 7, 1995
TO: Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM: Director of Social Planning
SUBJECT: 1995 Childcare Grants Allocation - Report 2 of 3
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council approve 27 Childcare Program Enhance-ment
Grants totalling $181,310 as listed in Appendix I; source
of funds to be the 1995 Childcare Grants Funds, 1995
Operating Budget.
B. THAT Council approve 16 Inner-city Childcare Sustaining
Grants totalling $138,360 as listed in Appendix I; source
of funds to be the 1995 Child-care Grants Funds, 1995
Operating Budget.
C. THAT Council approve two Childcare Research Grants totalling
$4,000 as noted in this report and Appendix II; source of
funds to be the 1995 Child-care Grants Funds, 1995 Operating
Budget.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services submits A, B and C for
CONSIDERATION.
COUNCIL POLICY
On February 2, 1995, Council approved the 1995 allocation of $646,310
for the Childcare Grants Program.
Approval of grant recommendations requires eight affirmative votes.
PURPOSE
This report makes recommendations for the following Childcare Grant
categories:
- Childcare Program Enhancement
- Inner-city Childcare Sustaining
- Childcare Policy Development, Research & Innovations
This is the second of three reports regarding the 1995 Childcare
Grants Program.
BACKGROUND
On February 2, 1995, City Council approved a budget of $646,310 for
the Childcare Grants Program. On May 16, 1995, Council approved
allocations totalling $317,640 from the 1995 Childcare Grants Budget
(see Appendix III). The balance available is $328,670.
DISCUSSION
1. Program Enhancement Grants
The purpose of these grants (maximum $12,000 per organization) is
to provide non-profit, licensed childcare programs with funds to
enhance the quality of care offered. In the 1995 Childcare
Budget Ceiling Report, it was recommended that initiatives be
related to food supplement programs, child/staff ratios, extended
hours of operation and strengthened administration. Priority is
given to group daycare and school-aged childcare programs in high
need areas and/or underserved areas of the City. Part-time
preschool programs are only eligible if exceptional need is
identified. Applicants are asked to complete a one page Phase I
application form indicating the type and estimated cost of the
initiative which their organization would like to undertake. If
the application meets the basic criteria, then the applicant is
encouraged to fill in a detailed Phase II application form.
The following factors are considered during the grant review
process:
- the size and type of program
- provision of services for infants and toddlers
- the level of need of the children and families
- the financial need of the service and organization
- the type of initiative proposed
- the commitment to parent involvement
- effective use of prior grant funding
In total, 33 Phase I Enhancement grant applications were
received. Seven of these were determined to be ineligible
because the proposed initiatives did not fit the priority areas
noted above, or the childcare service was clearly serving few low
income families. Twenty six Phase II applications were received
and reviewed by Social Planning. Where appropriate, applications
were also considered under the Inner-city grant category.
Social Planning is recommending approval of 27 Program
Enhancement Grants (see Appendix I) and 4 applications have been
transferred to the Inner-city grant category. As in previous
years, in an attempt to stretch the City dollars for the benefit
of as many high need families and programs as possible, the size
of many of the recommended allocations is significantly less than
what has been requested. The total amount of these grants
exceeds the 1995 funding guideline for this category by $22,310,
however this can be accommodated within the overall Childcare
Grants budget because some savings have been achieved in other
grant categories (see Appendix III). Based on the information
provided by grant applicants, it is staff's best assessment that
none of the applicants who are being recommended for reduced
funding will be forced to close or drastically reduce their
licensed service because of the recommendations being put
forward; however applicants will be limited in their ability to
enhance the quality of their current program or address the very
real issue of affordability.
2. Inner-city Childcare Sustaining Grants
The purpose of this grant is to provide non-profit organizations
with up to $11,000 to offset basic operating costs such as
personnel and food expenses, so that fees in eligible high need
programs can be kept below the city-wide average. While this
does not address the larger issue of affordability for low income
families, inner-city grants have helped to stabilize fees in high
need areas of the City.
Programs eligible for inner-city funding clearly stand out as
serving exceptionally high need, low income families. A
significant number of the children attending these programs have
been designated as "at risk" by the Ministry of Social Services
or require extra family support. All of the children are
considered to be living in high risk neighbourhood environments.
Twelve childcare programs applied for funding under the Inner-
city category. Four programs have been transferred to this
category based upon information submitted on their Program
Enhancement applications. Site visits/interviews were conducted
by the Childcare Co-ordinator. Issues of poverty, illiteracy,
cultural and linguistic barriers, drug and alcohol abuse, unsafe
neighbourhoods, inadequate housing, and the need for preschool
mental health and additional family supports were the most
frequently cited concerns. Parents also identified the need for
more flexible childcare options to respond to changing work
patterns.
Social Planning is recommending approval of 16 Inner-city
Childcare Sustaining grants (see Appendix I). All the Inner-city
grants recommended are at the level requested by the applicants.
The Childcare Co-ordinator will also continue to pursue
provincial monies to address the issue of affordability for
inner-city families. To date, while the Province has provided
some limited operating funds through a Childcare Wage Supplement
program, it has not yet delivered on its announcement of June
1994 to explore new funding mechanisms for childcare.
3. Research, Policy Development and Innovations Fund
The purpose of this grant category is to encourage and support 2-
4 new childcare research, policy or innovative service
initiatives each year. Two needs assessment projects have been
submitted for consideration (see Appendix II). Emily Carr
Institute for Art and Design and the False Creek Community Centre
wish to undertake a joint childcare needs assessment of the South
False Creek area. The newly formed West End/Central Business
District Childcare Committee wish to do an initial assessment of
the childcare needs for families working and living in the West
End given the relatively recent changes which prevent landlords
from discriminating against children with families. At a later
date, they hope to find funding to
look at the childcare needs of
employees in the Downtown core. Both groups have applied to the
Ministry of Women's Equality for provincial needs assessment
grants and require a 20% contribution from the municipality to be
eligible for funding. These studies will provide a greater
understanding of the childcare needs in higher density
neighbourhoods and should help to inform the development of
childcare services in the new Downtown neighbourhoods. Staff
recommend approval of up to $2,000 for each group subject to
funding approval also being received from the Ministry of Women's
Equality.
CONCLUSION
This is the second of three reports related to the allocation of the
1995 Childcare Grants. Social Planning is recommending for Council
approval:
- 27 Program Enhancement grants $181,310
- 16 Inner-city Childcare Sustaining grants $138,360
- 2 Childcare Research grants $ 4,000
This leaves a balance of $5,000 in the 1995 Childcare Grants Fund for
allocation later this year (see Appendix III).
* * * * *
Recommendations for the 1995 Childcare Program Enhancement Grants
Organization 1994 Total 1995 Grant 1995 Total 1995 Recommendation Comments
Allocation Request Recom'd
Inner City Program Enhancement
Bayview Community 0 $12,000. 2,700. $2,700. -Serves
Kitsilano
area
Association -strengthen -High
%
of
single
parents
School-aged care administration
131 spaces
Boat Daycare Society $12,000. $12,000. $10,500.
$10,500. -
Serves
East
Vancouver/
Cedar
"3-5" care -maintain Cottage/
Kensington.
25 spaces staff/child -
High
%
of
single
parent
ratio -
64%MSS
-
Significant
native
component
-
Parent-run
board
Britannia Community $10,800. $18,720. $17,000. $11,000. $6,000. Description
of
school-aged
Services Centre Soc. -snack programs:
School aged care, supplement -
Serves
Grandview
Woodlands,
preschool program Strathcona
90 spaces -
High
%
of
single
parents
-
80%MSS
-
Significant
ESL
component
-
Significant
Native
component
Cedar Cottage $10,000. $12,000. $10,000. $2,000. $8,000. -
Serves
Cedar
Cottage-
Neighbourhood House -strengthen Kensington
area.
School-aged care, administration -
High
%
of
single
parents
preschool -
47%MSS
140 spaces -
Significant
ESL
component
City Hall Childcare $6,660. $6,000. $6,000. $6,000. -
Serves
Vancouver
Society -strengthen -
Parent
run
board
Infant, toddler,"3-5" administration -
Provides
full
continuum
of
care care
49 spaces
Collingwood $8,000. $16,000. $14,000. $4,000. $10,000. Description
only
for
the
Neighbourhood House -maintain Carleton
Program:
"3-5", school-aged child/staff -
Serves
Collingwood
area.
care ratio's -
High
%
of
single
parents
85 spaces -snack -
85%MSS
supplement -
Significant
ESL
component
program -
High
Native
component
Recommendations for the 1995 Childcare Program Enhancement Grants
Organization 1994 Total 1995 Grant 1995 Total 1995 Recommendation Comments
Allocation Request Recom'd
Inner City Program Enhancement
Creekview $3,600. $3,600. $2,500. $2,500. - Serves False Creek, West End,
Toddler care -strengthen West Side, Downtown
17 spaces administration - Significant % of Single
25 enrolled Parents
- 40% MSS
- Parent-run board
Eagles in the Sky $12,000. $23,000. $13,000. $11,000. $2,000. - Serves Inner City - Victoria
Assoc. -snack & Hastings Area
School-aged care supplement - Significant % of Single
60 spaces program Parents
40 enrolment - 90% MSS
- High Native component
- parent run board
Frog Hollow 0 $12,000. $12,000. $12,000. Description of school-aged
Neighbourhood House -strengthen programs:
Toddler, "3-5", administration - Serves Hastings-
preschool, school -snack Sunrise/Renfrew-Collingwood
aged. supplement - Significant % of Single
114 spaces program Parents
- 45% MSS
- Significant ESL component
- Provides continuum of care
Grandview Terrace $22,800. $23,000. $19,000. $11,000. $8,000. - Serves Grandview Woodlands
Childcare Society -hot lunch - High % of single parents
"3-5", school-aged program - 78% MSS
care -snack - High Native component
45 spaces supplement
Hastings Townsite $12,000. $12,000. $8,000. $8,000. - Serves Northern Grandview-
Society -maintain Woodlands
"3-5" care child/staff - High % of single parents
25 spaces ratio - 66% MSS
- Significant Native component
- Parent run board
Recommendations for the 1995 Childcare Program Enhancement Grants
Organization 1994 Total 1995 Grant 1995 Total 1995 Recommendation Comments
Allocation Request Recom'd
Inner City Program Enhancement
Kiwassa Neighbourhood $10,800. $24,000. $12,000. $12,000. Description of Kiwassa Day
House -maintain care:
Preschool, "3-5", child/staff - Serves Vancouver
school-aged ratio - High % of single parents
75 spaces -snack - 52% MSS
supplement - Significant ESL component
-flexible - Significant native component
hours
Little Mountain $3,600. $3,000. $3,000. $3,000. - Serves Riley Park
Neighbourhood House -maintain - High % of single parents
3-5 care child/staff - 87% MSS
15 spaces ratio during - Significant ESL component
$415/mo. staff
development
activities
McGregor Childcare $8,500. $12,000. $8,500. $8,500. - Serves Mount Pleasant
Society -maintain - High % of single parents
"3-5" care, toddler staff/child - 84% MSS
care, infant care ratio - Significant ESL component
37 spaces total - Provides full continuum of
care
- Integrated special needs
Mount Pleasant Child $22,800. $23,000. $23,000 $11,000. $12,000. - Serves Mount Pleasant
Care Society -strengthen - Significant % of single
Infants, toddlers, "3- administration parents
5" care -maintain - 62% MSS
37 spaces child/staff - Significant ESL component
ratio - Provides continuum of care
- Parent run board.
Mount Pleasant $2,000. $22,495. $13,000. $11,000. $2,000. - Serves Mount Pleasant
Neighbourhood House -strengthen - Significant % of single
"3-5", preschool administration parents
36 spaces - 75% MSS
- Significant ESL component
- Significant Native component
Recommendations for the 1995 Childcare Program Enhancement Grants
Organization 1994 Total 1995 Grant 1995 Total 1995 Recommendation Comments
Allocation Request Recom'd
Inner City Program Enhancement
Pooh Corner Daycare $8,000. $12,000. $4,000. $4,000. - Serves West End and CBD
Society -hot lunch - Parent run board
Toddler, "3-5" program - Provides continuum of care
22 spaces
Ray-Cam Co-operative $12,800. $35,000. $17,000. $11,000. $6,000. - Serves Downtown
Centre -food Eastside/Inner city
"3-5" specialized, supplement - Significant % of single
school-aged care program parents
56 spaces - over 80% MSS
- High Native component
Shannon Daycare $12,000. $12,000. $12,000. $12,000. - Serves Marpole
Society -maintain - High % of single parents
Toddler, "3-5" care child/staff - 80% MSS
25 spaces ratio - Significant ESL component
- Significant Native component
- Parent run
- Provides continuum of care
Shon Yee Society 0 $7,200. $7,200. $7,200. - Serves Strathcona
"3-5" - High % of single parents
25 spaces - 60% MSS
- High ESL component
St. Michael's Day Care $10,800. $11,400. $11,000. $11,000. Serves Mount Pleasant
Centre - High % of single parents
"3-5" - 96% MSS
25 spaces - Significant ESL component
- High Native component
South Vancouver Family 0 $7,300. $7,300. $7,300. - Serves Southeast Vancouver
Place -maintain - High ESL component expected
Preschool, kindercare child/staff - New program in under-served
30 spaces ratio area
-strengthen
administration
South Van 0 $2,445. $2,445. $2,445. - Serves South Vancouver
Neighbourhood House - High ESL component
Preschool
20 spaces
54 enroled
Recommendations for the 1995 Childcare Program Enhancement Grants
Organization 1994 Total 1995 Grant 1995 Total 1995 Recommendation Comments
Allocation Request Recom'd
Inner City Program Enhancement
Spare Time Child Care $8,000. $10,000. $4,000. $4,000. . Serves S.Van/Fraserview,
Society -strengthen Marpole Oakridge, Mt. Pleasant
School aged care administration - Significant % of single
199 spaces parents
Strathcona Community $10,000. $12,000. $10,000. $10,000. - Serves Strathcona area.
Centre Association -strengthen - High % of single parents
Preschool, school-aged administration - 50% MSS
care -maintain - High ESL component
55 spaces child/staff
ratio
Sunset Childcare $7,000. $12,000. $4,000. $4,000. - Serves South Vancouver
Society -hot lunch - Significant ESL component
"3-5" care program - parent run centre
25 spaces
Thunderbird $12,000. $14,000. $12,000. $8,000. $4,000. Description of school-aged
Neighbourhood -snack programs:
Association supplement - Serves Thunderbird -
Preschool, school-aged program Hastings-Sunrise
care - High % of single parents
50 spaces - 70% MSS
- High ESL component
- High Native component
U-Hill Kinderclub 0 $5,000. $5,000. $5,000. - Serves UBC Family Housing
Daycare -maintain /University Endowment Lands
Kindercare child/staff - 50% MSS
16 spaces ratio - High ESL component
Vancouver Aboriginal $10,800. $11,000. $11,000. $11,000. - Serves Grandview/Woodlands
Friendship Centre - High % of single parents
"3-5" care - 90% MSS
25 spaces - High Native component
Vancouver Chinese 0 $12,000. $10,500. $10,500. - Serves Mt.Pleasant/Riley Park
Pentecostal Benevolent -hot lunch - High % of single parents
Society -strengthen - 52% MSS
"3-5" care administration - Significant ESL component
25 spaces
Recommendations for the 1995 Childcare Program Enhancement Grants
Organization 1994 Total 1995 Grant 1995 Total 1995 Recommendation Comments
Allocation Request Recom'd
Inner City Program Enhancement
Vancouver-Richmond $9,405. $9,895. $9,715. $9,715. Description of Waterside child
Association care:
Waterside Child Centre - Serves Downtown East-side of
Integrated Special Vancouver
Needs - Significant % of single
Infant, toddler, "3- parent
5", preschool, school- - 60% MSS
aged - Significant ESL component
150 spaces - Significant Native component
Vancouver YWCA $17,440. $12,000. $11,000. $11,000. Description of Crabtree Corner:
Infant, toddler, - Serves Downtown Eastside/
emergency, "3-5" care Strathcona
89 spaces - High % of single parents
- 90% MSS
- High Native component
- Provides continuum of care on
emergency basis
YMCA of Greater $6,000. $7,310. $7,310. $6,000. $1,310. Description of Nanook Day Care:
Vancouver -snack - Serves Mt. Pleasant
Toddler, "3-5", supplement - High % of single parents
school-aged care program - 90% MSS
664 spaces - Significant ESL component
- Significant Native component
TOTAL $269,805. $427,365. $319,670. $138,360. $181,310.
:enha95-2.pc
** Codes for Comments re: Client Profit (as declared by applicant)
For School aged care and 3-5 care:
Single parent families ESL enrichment required
-Significant 30-50% -Significant 30-50%
-High over 50% -High over 50%
MSS Subsidy First Nations Native children
-Comments noted for over 40% -Significant 15-30%
-Highover 30%
APPENDIX II
Childcare Needs Assessment Research Projects
(1) False Creek South Needs Assessment $2,000
(sponsored by False Creek Community Centre)
(2) West End Needs Assessment $2,000
(sponsored by Pooh Corner Daycare Society) ------
TOTAL $4,000
======APPENDIX III
Grant Date of Proposed 1995 Recommended to
Category Report to Funding Date
Council
City-Wide Support May $245,310 $241,940
Services
Administration of May $ 62,000 $ 55,050
City-owned
Facilities
Research, Policy May/July/ $ 15,000 $ 9,650
Dev. and Innovations December
Program Development May/July/ $ 10,000 $ 15,000
December
Inner-City July $150,000 $138,360
Program Enhancement July $159,000 $181,310
Program As required $ 5,000 0
Stabilization
TOTAL: $646,310 $641,310
BALANCE: $ 5,000