REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 19, 2024
FROM
ARLENE MOLINA, Assistant Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Travel by Policy Council Members to Attend the National Head Start Parent and Family Engagement Conference
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve travel and related expenses for two Preschool Services Department Policy Council members to attend the National Head Start Association Parent and Family Engagement Conference in San Diego, at a cost not to exceed $5,800, from December 16, 2024, through December 19, 2024.
(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.
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 four-day National Head Start Association (NHSA) Parent and Family Engagement Conference will not exceed $5,800. These travel costs will be funded by 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 ($795 x two members) |
$1,590 |
|
Child Care ($40 x four days x two members) |
$320 |
|
Child Care ($20 x three nights x two members) |
$120 |
|
Lodging ($289 x three nights = $867 plus taxes & fees of $110 x two members) |
$1,954 |
|
Breakfast ($11 x three days x two members) |
$66 |
|
Lunch ($15 x three days x two members) |
$90 |
|
Dinner ($24 x three days x two members) |
$144 |
|
Parking ($60 x four days x two members) |
$480 |
|
Mileage: (Roundtrip home to conference 224 miles x $0.670 for one) (Roundtrip home to conference 254 miles x $0.670 for one) |
$320 |
|
Subtotal |
$5,084 |
|
Contingencies (coverage for increases in hotel costs, etc.) |
$716 |
|
Total |
$5,800 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PSD operates the Federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs serving more than 2,000 children in locations throughout San Bernardino County (County). Head Start 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 Head Start 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; members from other County Departments with expertise in Early Childhood Education and Development, health, and mental health; and other members that reflect the community.
The NHSA Parent and Family Engagement Conference in San Diego provides attendees an opportunity to delve into a variety of new resources and innovative ideas on important topics in early childhood development. The conference will include sessions that facilitate networked learning between peers and experts. Sessions include topics on social emotional regulation, literacy, eating healthy and staying active, father/male caregiver engagement, and more.
Two PSD PC members were selected to attend the NHSA’s Parent and Family Engagement Conference. 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 Head Start Programs selected to attend Head Start 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 participate in sessions that will explore new resources and innovative ideas focused on early childhood development, learning effective methods to engage with families, build strong relationships, and foster open lines of communication. 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. Given the timing of the conference, the PC members will depart on Monday, December 16, 2024, and will return on Thursday, December 19, 2024, after the conference concludes at 12 noon.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Ramona Verduzco, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 10, 2024; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on October 25, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on October 29, 2024.