Backup — original pdf

Backup

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER (20240408-012) Recommendation on Early Childhood Investments       WHEREAS, the immigrant population in Austin constitutes a significant and varied segment of their respective local communities, with many residing in families of mixed legal statuses; WHEREAS, in the City of Austin, they are 164,000 children who have at least one parent who is an immigrant, meaning one in three children in Austin falls into this category; WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of these children with at least one immigrant parent are U.S. citizens, 87% were born in the United States; WHEREAS, in the City of Austin, 31% of children under age 6 live in households with low income; and WHEREAS, 90% of the children in households with low income under age 6 are children of color; and WHEREAS, decades of research prove that disadvantages begin the moment children come into the world because children born into poverty and children of color are disproportionately born early, at low-birth-weight, or with chronic illnesses, and are less likely than their peers to be ready for, or successful at school; and WHEREAS, current City investments in early childhood programs align with the goals and strategies of the Austin/Travis County Success By 6 Strategic Plan – a robust, data-driven community strategic plan designed to coordinate efforts, improve child and family outcomes as well as build more efficient and coordinated systems for equitable access; and WHEREAS, the federal, state, and local economic recovery funds invested in early childhood systems and programs are expiring in 2024, including essential worker wage stipends for the early childhood workforce; and WHEREAS, Childcare Scholarship programs through Workforce Solutions Capital Area are at capacity, enrollment is closed, no new funding is available at this time, and as of March 2024, the estimated amount of time a family applying for a scholarship at that time will likely remain on a waitlist before they could expect to be outreached for enrollment is 24 months; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s recently announced Infrastructure Academy is intended to expand the region’s skilled trade sector and access to childcare is an obstacle for the existing workforce, including the skilled trades; and WHEREAS, the Early Childhood Council has had input from Success By 6, The Children’s Funding Project Workgroup, and GAVA, all calling for significantly increased local government investment in the Childcare sector, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends that the City of Austin maintain all current investments in early childhood programs and infrastructure, including but not limited to: ● APH Staff: $171,000 for 2 FTE staff focused on early childhood programs and services ● Social Service Contracts: $13,352,165 to six agencies to provide early childhood services, including early childhood education, infant and early childhood services, and early childhood education quality improvement, for a 12-month term through March 30, 2025, and four 12-month extension options ● Start-up costs for PreK classrooms: $128,000 for six classrooms; one-time cost per classroom ● KinderCare at Bergstrom Tech’s Lease: Annual funding for operating expenses for city-funded early childhood facilities ● Essential infrastructure such as Family Connects, Maternal and Infant Outreach Program, and WIC programs that specifically serve families with young children from prenatal to age 5 ● Allocate full funding for the Economic Development Grant Program for Child Care Programs, which has been identified in City Council Resolution No. 20230126-055 as a mechanism to increase access to high-quality, affordable early childhood services; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends that the City of Austin supports further work on the child care component of the Infrastructure Academy and the Success By 6, Children’s Funding Project Workgroup, and GAVA recommendations to finalize a Greater Austin area plan by July 1, 2024. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Motioned by: Commissioner Seconded By: Commissioner For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)