REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 3, 2024
FROM
ARLENE MOLINA, Assistant Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families for the Comprehensive Fatherhood Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept grant award (Grant Award No. 90ZJ0037-05-00) from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families for the Comprehensive Fatherhood Program, for $500,000, for the period of September 30, 2024, through September 29, 2025.
2. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer, Assistant Executive Office, Director or Assistant Director of the Preschool Services Department to accept and execute any subsequent non-substantive amendments, and any other necessary supporting documentation, to the grant award (Grant Award No. 90ZJ0037-05-00) for the Comprehensive Fatherhood Program, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director or Assistant Director of the Preschool Services Department to transmit all non-substantive amendments to the grant award (Grant Award No. 90ZJ0037-05-00) for the Comprehensive Fatherhood Program to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Arlene Molina, Assistant Director, 383-2078)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The grant award (Grant Award No. 90ZJ0037-05-00) for the Preschool Services Department (PSD) Comprehensive Fatherhood Program (Program) does not require a local match. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in PSD’s 2024-25 budget and will be included in the 2025-26 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PSD operates the Early Head Start (EHS), Head Start (HS), State General Child Care and Development, and State Preschool programs serving approximately 2,039 children in locations throughout the County. These programs have been operating in the County since 1965. In 1999, PSD began providing these programs through a combination of direct and contracted services.
This grant award provides continued funding for the Program, which aims to increase child and family well-being through a series of evidenced-based practices that promote healthy relationships, improve parenting skills, and increase economic stability. PSD will use the funding to serve 72 low-income fathers, over the age of 18, with children under the age of five that are eligible to be enrolled in its HS and/or EHS programs and reside within the County.
Program services and activities include recruitment of County residents who identify as a father or father figure to children birth to five years old eligible to be enrolled in HS and/or EHS programs; risk and needs assessments; Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely goal setting, which can include reading and engaging in healthy activities such as walking with children; intensive case management services; supportive services through referrals to community partners, availability of a Successful Pathways Apprenticeship Program and certified high school education program; and participation in The Nurturing Fathers Program curriculum workshops.
On March 26, 2024 (Item No. 51), the Board approved and authorized the submission of a grant application to the ACF for the Program, in an annual amount of $993,019, for continued support of the Program for the period of September 30, 2024, through September 29, 2025.
A budget modification was submitted to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on August 16, 2024, requesting a decrease of grant funding in the amount of $493,019, from $993,019 to $500,000 which is the minimum funding amount required for the Program. The request for a reduction in grant funding is the result of reducing the number of low-income fathers to be served from 144 fathers to 72. The Program struggled to meet enrollment goals due to recruitment challenges, particularly within Head Start schools. Reducing the proposed number of fathers to be served to 72 is more attainable since PSD served 39 fathers in the year prior. As a result, a budget modification request was necessary.
PSD is requesting Authority for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Assistant Executive Office (AEO), Director or Assistant Director of PSD to accept and execute any subsequent non-substantive amendments in order to expedite the process of amending the grant agreement. Additionally, PSD is requesting authority for the CEO, AEO, Director or Assistant Director of PSD to execute any other necessary supporting documentation to the grant award, which may include, but is not limited to, quarterly reports, annual reports, corrective action plan updates, updates in staffing, subject to review by County Counsel.
On June 23, 2020, the County Administrative Office authorized the submission of a grant application to ACF for the Program, in an annual amount of $993,019, over the five-year grant project period of September 30, 2020, through September 29, 2025. PSD is required to submit annual funding applications to receive the award during the five-year grant project period.
On November 17, 2020 (Item No. 51), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 20-1144 (Grant Award No. 90ZJ0037-01-00) from ACF for year one Program funding, in the amount of $993,019, for the period of September 30, 2020, through September 29, 2021.
On March 23, 2021 (Item No. 48), the Board approved the submission of a grant application to ACF for the Program’s year two funding, in the amount of $993,019, for the period of September 30, 2021, through September 29, 2022. On August 10, 2021 (Item No. 23), the Board accepted the Program’s year two funding from ACF and approved Contract No. 21-603 (Grant Award No. 90ZJ0037-02-00), in the amount of $993,019, for the period of September 30, 2021, through September 29, 2022.
On May 24, 2022 (Item No. 65), the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 21-603 (Grant Award No. 90ZJ0037-02-01) from ACF for the Program year two, increasing the award by $592,066, from $993,019 to $1,585,085, with no change to the period of September 30, 2021, through September 29, 2022. The increase was the result of carrying over unobligated funds into program year two.
On October 4, 2022 (Item No. 27), the Board approved Contract No. 22-973 (Grant Award No. 90ZJ0037-03-00) from ACF for year three funding for the Program, in the amount of $993,019, for the period of September 30, 2022, through September 29, 2023. The Board approved the submission of a grant application to ACF for year three funding for the Program, in the amount of $993,019, for the period of September 30, 2022, through September 29, 2023, on October 4, 2022 (Item No. 34).
On March 28, 2023 (Item No. 33), the Board approved the submission of a grant application to ACF for the Program year four funding, in the amount of $993,019. On June 26, 2023, PSD received the grant award notice (Award No. 90ZJ0037-04-00) from ACF for the Program year four funding, in the amount of $50,000 for the period of September 30, 2023, through September 29, 2024. This award also includes an offset of $943,019 of unobligated funds from year two. The combination of Program year four funds and unobligated funds is the total cost amount authorized of $993,019.
PSD received notification of the grant award on September 27, 2024, and is requesting a retroactive effective date of September 30, 2024, as this is the first date available following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval at this time will not impact the Program’s services and activities.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 22, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on November 4, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on November 12, 2024.