COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

March 6, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 26, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

Stuart Oppenheim, Northern Regional Director, Human Services Agency

SUBJECT:

Agreement Between the City of South San Francisco and the Human Services Agency for Start-up Costs for the new Community Learning Center Extension in the Westborough Neighborhood

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement Between the City of South San Francisco and the Human Services Agency for Start-up Costs for the new Community Learning Center Extension in the Westborough Neighborhood in the amount of $130,000 for the period February 1, 2002 through June 30, 2002.

Background

In 1999 the City of South San Francisco founded the Community Learning Center in response to the educational needs of South San Francisco's multi-cultural residents. The City determined this relatively low level of educational attainment put an undue proportion of the population at a disadvantage in the regional job market and at a high risk for poverty. Based on these determination the Community Learning Center (CLC) was opened and has served over 3500 adults and children. The CLC provides homework assistance to elementary school students, English language classes and a variety of programs to support parents working with their children for educational success, in addition, CLC has worked collaboratively with community partners to provide regular kindergarten readiness classes.

Discussion

To better meet the needs of the community's residents, the City is developing a CLC Extension in the Westborough neighborhood. Over 50% of the residents of the Westborough neighborhood are Asian/Pacific Islanders. The CLC Extension will be adjacent to the City's Westborough Recreation Center and will provide literacy enrichment services from third through fifth grade students. In addition, at this extension the Parks and Recreation Department will expand its current Westborough child care program where there is a current waiting list of 140 children. The Human Services Agency, which works closely with the City of South San Francisco through the Peninsula Partnership in the administration of the South San Francisco Peninsula Partnership site, is eager to expand its association with the City of South San Francisco through the establishment of the Community Learning Center Extension by providing funds for the start-up costs for this new facility.

Vision Alignment

The contract with the City of South San Francisco keeps the commitment of Providing equal access to educational opportunity and goal number 3: All children ages 0-5 years have access to childcare/early learning opportunities that contributes to their entering kindergarten ready to succeed. The contract contributes to this commitment and goal by providing an educational center that will contribute to the resident's long-range educational goal.

Fiscal Impact

The total Agreement obligation is $130,000 for child care start-up costs and educational enrichment equipment and materials. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) incentive funds is available for this purpose and will be funding 100% of this cost. There is no Net County Cost.