Item No. 3.
| MEETING DATE: 02/01/2021 |
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| TO: | HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS |
| FROM: | JIM SADRO, CITY MANAGER By: Kelly Fujio, Director of Community Services |
| SUBJECT: | APPROVE THE QUALITY RATING AND IMPROVEMENT (QRIS) BLOCK GRANT SERVICE AGREEMENT NO. 51091 FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR WITH THE ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Block Grant Service Agreement No. 51091 for the 2020-2021 school year with the Orange County Department of Education for continuous quality improvements for the State Preschool Program and direct staff to appropriate the grant funds for the Child Development training budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) received the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Block Grant from the California Department of Education and the City of La Habra Child Development Division State Preschool program is one of the beneficiaries of this grant. On January 11, 2020, the OCDE announced that the City would receive a QRIS grant allocation in the amount of $27,000 with the term of the agreement from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.
The QRIS grant will provide support to La Habra preschool teachers and administrators and help create high quality early childhood education programs. In addition, the grant will provide funding for staff to participate in education training programs that assist in their professional development.
Grant funds will also be used to purchase classroom materials that are connected to the STEM/STEAM activities children learn through the “Lil’ Innovators” grant from the La Habra Children’s Museum. The program allowed for the purchase of Apple iPad devices with funds from the previous year’s grant, which teachers use to complete assessments of the children that include photographing and recording children’s work as supporting documentation of the children’s assessments. The iPads are also used to receive information from QRIS, and the grant pays for the data plan needed to remotely access the QRIS system.
Through this grant, staff will access materials and resources to assist in strengthening the program as identified by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and observations conducted by the OCDE Coach and/or other staff who provide feedback and support to the staff. The grant will also help ensure the program complies with California State Preschool Funding Terms and Conditions.
The QRIS grant will provide support to La Habra preschool teachers and administrators and help create high quality early childhood education programs. In addition, the grant will provide funding for staff to participate in education training programs that assist in their professional development.
Grant funds will also be used to purchase classroom materials that are connected to the STEM/STEAM activities children learn through the “Lil’ Innovators” grant from the La Habra Children’s Museum. The program allowed for the purchase of Apple iPad devices with funds from the previous year’s grant, which teachers use to complete assessments of the children that include photographing and recording children’s work as supporting documentation of the children’s assessments. The iPads are also used to receive information from QRIS, and the grant pays for the data plan needed to remotely access the QRIS system.
Through this grant, staff will access materials and resources to assist in strengthening the program as identified by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) and observations conducted by the OCDE Coach and/or other staff who provide feedback and support to the staff. The grant will also help ensure the program complies with California State Preschool Funding Terms and Conditions.
FISCAL IMPACT/SOURCE OF FUNDING:
If approved by City Council, the agreement will provide $27,000 to the City’s Child Development Division from the State’s Quality Rating and Improvement System Block Grant. All Child Development Division funding is provided through State and Federal grants and these programs are entirely funded by the State Department of Education. These programs receive no General Fund support.
GENERAL PLAN RELEVANCE:
Goal LU 17.1 Adequate Community Supporting Uses
Goal CI 5.1 Programs for Youth
Goal CI 5.2 Programs for Families
Goal CI 5.1 Programs for Youth
Goal CI 5.2 Programs for Families