HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-07-2005-5mORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 7, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No. .5-M
SUBJECT: Approval of Social Services Request to Utilize Funds Appropriated for Day
Care
DEPARTMENT: Social Services PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nancy Coston, ext 2802
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider a request to release appropriated day care funds in the amount of
$50,000 to Social Services so that the Department can provide subsidy to additional families on
the day care waiting list,
BACKGROUND: During the budget deliberations in June 2005, the Board of Commissioners,
in recognition of the growing need for affordable childcare for families who live in Orange
County, identified $50,000 to provide additional subsidy. In the previous fiscal year, the
Commissioners had transferred $100,000 from Social Safety Net Funds to be used for this
purpose. The Social Services Board developed a plan for the use of these funds and appointed
a day care task force to assist with this effort. The task force represented day care providers,
the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, the Social Services Board, Child Care
Services Association, the Board of County Commissioners, the County Manager's office and
Social Services staff. Last year's funding was used to serve 46 children from the Social
Services waiting list, The Commissioners received a full report of the work of the task force in
March 2005.
In .June, there were 391 unserved Orange County children waiting for subsidy. At this time,
Social Services would plan to use these funds to seek matching sponsors in the community. Ar
effort to find sponsors was begun late last year and several children were sponsored by the day
care providers. These sponsorships resulted in additional funds being available for more
children to be served. Social Services plans to use the $50,000 for this purpose and to see if it
can generate additional support from the community, Specifically, employers and the faith
community would be targeted as potential sponsors. The Social Services Board would monitor
the effectiveness of the sponsorship concept and would utilize funds for waiting list clients
without sponsors if sponsors cannot be identified.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds in the amount of $50,000 were appropriated by the
Commissioners within the FY05-06 Critical Needs Reserve Account during the budget process.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board accept the Social
Services Board recommendation to release $50,000 to Social Services with the funds to be
used to assist families on the Social Services waiting list under policies developed by the Social
Services Board,