Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael Callagy, County Executive
Peggy Jensen, Assistant County Executive
Subject: Amendment of the 2022-2023 Out-of-School Care Grant Program to Support Impacted Nonprofit and For-profit Providers of Out-of-School Programs
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution amending the 2022-23 Out-of-School Care Grant Program to authorize grants to otherwise qualifying nonprofit and for-profit organizations operating out-of-school programs in San Mateo County that have also been directly and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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BACKGROUND:
On July 26, 2022, the Board approved an allocation of $2,562,500 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the 2022-2023 Out-of-School Care Grant Program to increase the availability of before and after school and school vacation programs for socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) students in San Mateo County. The Program, as approved by the Board, focused on addressing access challenges the pandemic created and/or exacerbated for SED students in need of out-of-school care. Thus, the Board allocated $2,500,000 for grants to local out-of-school providers-nonprofits, for-profits, and public entities such as cities and school districts-so they could expand the number of available out-of-school program slots for SED students and $62,500 to administrative fees for the SMCU Community Fund to help administer the Program.
But, like others in the child care industry, many local nonprofit and small business providers of out-of-school care programs have themselves suffered negative impacts as a result of the pandemic. When schools were closed or only partially open, these out-of-school care providers were also forced to close or operate at reduced capacity. Although many programs have now reopened, the return to pre-pandemic enrollment and staffing levels has been slow. Many providers have suffered decr...
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