REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 4, 2025
FROM
ARLENE MOLINA, Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Funding Application to the California Department of Education for the California State Preschool Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of the annual Continued Funding Application to the California Department of Education for the California State Preschool Program and the Prekindergarten and Family Literacy Support Program in the amount of $7,918,041, for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
2. Adopt Resolutions for the following programs authorizing the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of the Preschool Services Department to execute the Continued Funding Application, including any subsequent, non-substantive amendments, in relation to these programs, subject to review by County Counsel:
a. California State Preschool Program
b. California Prekindergarten and Family Literacy Support Program
3. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of the Preschool Services Department, to execute and submit the Continued Funding Application, including any subsequent, non-substantive amendments, for the California State Preschool Program and the Prekindergarten and Family Literacy Support Program, as required by the California Department of Education, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
4. Direct the Director of the Preschool Services Department to transmit the Continued Funding Application for the California State Preschool Program and the Prekindergarten and Family Literacy Support Program to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(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.
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 annual Continued Funding Application (Application) in the amount of $7,918,041 provided by the California Department of Education (State) for the California State Preschool Program (CSPP) and California Prekindergarten and Family Literacy Support Program (CPKS) does not require a local match.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Preschool Services Department (PSD) operates the Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Preschool programs (Programs), and serves more than 2,000 children through direct services throughout the County. The Programs provide education, health, cognitive, social/emotional, physical growth and development, and parent involvement services for children ages zero to five years with the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in economically disadvantaged families.
CSPP provides education, health, cognitive, social/emotional, physical growth and development, and parent involvement services for children ages three to five years, as well as referrals to health and social services for families and staff development opportunities to employees. CSPP services cover part-day childcare and development programs. CSPP includes nutrition, parental education, child development, and care that includes an educational component. PSD has provided CSPP services through a combination of direct and contracted services since 1999.
CPKS is a State initiative designed to promote interactive literacy activities for children and families. Activities include parent education, staff development, on-site coaching, and adult education referrals. Funding of this program is intended to supplement existing CSPP contracts.
To receive CSPP and CPKS funding, PSD is required to submit an annual application. PSD requests authorization to submit the Application for $7,918,041 in funding for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. This funding will provide part-day services and interactive literacy activities to an estimated 938 children at an estimated annual cost of $8,441 per child. Approval of this item will allow PSD to submit the 2026-27 Application to the State by the due date of December 1, 2025. Upon receipt of the award notification, PSD will return to the Board of Supervisors to accept funding and for approval of the grant award agreement.
The State requires the County to adopt a Resolution authorizing executive level staff to execute all Application documents, including any subsequent, non-substantive amendments, in relation to these programs, on behalf of the County. Approval of this item will adopt Resolutions, for both programs, authorizing the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of PSD to execute all documents in relation to these programs, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Sophie A. Curtis, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 30, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Allegra Pajot, Administrative Analyst, 388-0218) on October 3, 2025.