20250326-022 Plan to Support Family, Friend, and Neighbor from the Early Childhood Council — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARD/COMMIISSION RECOMMENDATION JointI lnclusion Committee 20250326-022 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Childcare Providers WHEREAS, in the City of Austin, 32% of children under age 6 live in households with low income; and WHEREAS, 94% of the children in households and with low income under age 6 are children of color; decades of research prove that disadvantages begin the moment children come into the children born into poverty illnesses, at low born early, at and are less likely than their peers to be ready for, or successful and children of color are disprop ortionately or with chronic WHEREAS, world because weight, school; and WHEREAS, state, systems and programs have expired many of the federal, economic in 2025; and or are expiring and local recovery funds invested in early childhood Child Care Scholarship programs through Workforce Solutions at this time, and as of December 2024, the estimated Capital Area are at capacity, amount of time a family no WHEREAS, new funding applying outreached is available for a scholarship for enrollment at that time will likely is 24 months; and remain on a waitlist before they could expect to be WHEREAS, or trusted neighbors and Neighbor) who provide home-based care typically childcare aunts, for three or fewer unrelated grandparents, and FFN (Family, involves Friend, children; close friends, Family, WHEREAS, culturally and linguistically parents community; relevant to entrust their child's and Friend, and Neighbor {FFN) early education, care is often chosen and the personal for its flexibility, affordability, connection it provides-allowing learning and care to someone they already know and trust within their WHEREAS, of FFN service there are legal issues providers; and to be resolved regarding direct financial support to the broad spectrum WHEREAS, the Early Childhood and GO! Austin/iVAMOS! Austin investment in the Childcare sector; and Council has had input from the community's (GAVA), all calling for significantly increased By 6 Coalition Success local government {SX6) WHEREAS, GAVA has requested $350,000 for programs to provide providers and $200,000 a mobile lending to help develop a pipeline of FFN service library for home-based family childcare providers . NOW, THEREFORE, Austin direct other BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Ilnclusi and the Economic Development Austin Public Health on Committee Department recommends the City of to work with GAVA and during input sources community Family, Friends, • Resolves • Finalizes allow, and Neighbor support that: potential around providing budget any new FFN-related financial items that might result if resources FV26, or sooner legal issues relief grants to FFN providers. from the new plan. to develop an integrated plan for Date of Approval: March 26, 2025 of the vote: 9-0, Motion Commissioner Afifi, Commissioner Second Commissioner Davis, Record Chang Abstaining Attest: Commissioner Bondi, Vice Chair ----