REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 11, 2025
FROM
ARLENE MOLINA, Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Travel by Policy Council Members to Attend the 2025 Head Start to the Capitol Advocacy Day in Sacramento
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve travel and related expenses for two Preschool Services Department Policy Council members to attend the 2025 Head Start to the Capitol Advocacy Day in Sacramento, at an estimated cost of $3,800, from March 17, 2025, through March 19, 2025.
(Presenter: Arlene Molina, Director, 383-2078)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The cost for two Preschool Services Department (PSD) Policy Council (PC) members to attend the two-day 2025 Head Start to the Capitol Advocacy Day Conference (Conference) will not exceed $3,800, which includes an additional day for travel, one day prior to the event. These travel costs will be 100% federally funded through the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in PSD’s 2024-25 budget.
|
Expense |
Total |
|
Registration ($139 x two members) |
$278 |
|
Child Care ($40 x two days x two members) |
$160 |
|
Child Care ($20 x two nights x two members) |
$80 |
|
Air Travel ($270 x two members) |
$540 |
|
Breakfast ($11 x two days x two members) |
$44 |
|
Dinner ($24 x two days x two members) |
$96 |
|
Lodging ($395 x two nights plus $130 taxes and fees x two members) |
$1,840 |
|
Parking ($18 x three days x two members) |
$108 |
|
Mileage (Roundtrip to/from airport 66 miles x 0.670 cents) |
$44 |
|
Mileage (Roundtrip to/from airport 46 miles x 0.670 cents) |
$31 |
|
Taxi (Roundtrip to/from airport and hotel) |
$66 |
|
Subtotal |
$3,287 |
|
Contingencies (coverage for increases in airfare, hotel costs, etc.) |
$513 |
|
Total |
$3,800 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PSD operates the Federal and State funded Head Start (HS), Early Head Start, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs serving more than 2,000 children in locations throughout San Bernardino County (County). HS and State Preschool programs have been operating in the County since 1965. Since 1999, PSD has provided these programs through a combination of direct and contracted services. The Federal HS Program Regulations mandate the Board of Supervisors (Board), as a grantee, to establish two governing bodies that will share responsibility with the grantee for overseeing the delivery of high-quality services to enrolled children and their families. Those bodies are the PSD PC, which is composed of parents of enrolled children and community members, and the PSD Shared Governance Board, which is composed of a member from the Board and members from other County departments with expertise in Early Childhood Education and Development, health, and mental health.
The Conference provides attendees with the opportunity for HS staff and parents to unite, meet with lawmakers, and address key policy and advocacy concerns impacting the HS community. Attendees will have the chance to advocate for critical issues, raise awareness among legislators, and gain valuable insights on how to effectively advocate for HS programs. Participants will also engage in networking opportunities, building connections with other HS staff, parents, and advocates.
Two PSD PC members were selected to attend the Conference at the December 16, 2024, PSD PC meeting. One alternate attendee was selected in the event a designated representative cannot attend the Conference. The PSD PC members are parents with children enrolled in HS Programs selected to attend HS conferences as required by PSD PC Bylaws. Under the PSD PC Bylaws, Article VIII - Meetings, reimbursement of childcare costs is allowed when a PSD PC member participates in a PSD PC related activity, such as conferences and meetings.
The PC members will attend a briefing on current legislative issues and will rally to the capitol to meet directly with elected representatives. The PC members will report back to the PSD PC on the insights gained, enabling them to share valuable information with fellow parents at their assigned school sites. The PC members will depart on Monday, March 17, 2025, and will return on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 8, 2025; Finance (Allegra Pajot, Administrative Analyst, 388-0218) on January 23, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on January 23, 2025.