Agenda Item # 4

Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
04/26/2016
Agenda Report # 114


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: GACAPS Program

INITIATED BY: Parks and Recreation

Recommendation: Approval is requested to sign a new Child Care Provider Agreement with the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) of the Department of Human Services (DHS) who operates the Georgia Child Care and Parent Services Program (GACAPS Program). This agreement will stay in effect until a new agreement is created or Parks and Recreation gives proper cancellation notice to DFCS stating its withdrawal from the GACAPS Program.

Background: DFCS oversees the GACAPS Program, which is designed to provide eligible children with child care subsidies. Parks and Recreation is listed as a child care provider with the GACAPS Program and invoices child care payments to DFCS.

Analysis: The Parks and Recreation after school programs currently have 50 participants that are enrolled through the GACAPS Program. The new Child Care Provider Agreement is a continued agreement with DFCS, including new provisions, policies, and procedures. The GACAPS program helps parents with child care cost who may not be able to afford child care services otherwise.

Financial Considerations: Parks and Recreation will continue to be a listed provider for the GACAPS Program at no cost. Payments will be invoiced to DFCS for GACAPS participants who attend the camps and after school programs at least once a week. Parents, who still have an assessed fee listed on their Child Care Certificate, will be financially responsible for their portion.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: None is expected.

Legal Considerations: City Council must approve this execution of this agreement.

Recommendations/ Actions: Approval is requested to sign a new Child Care Provider Agreement with the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) of the Department of Human Services (DHS) who operates the Georgia Child Care and Parent Services Program (GACAPS Program). This agreement will stay in effect until a new agreement is created or Parks and Recreation gives proper cancellation notice to DFCS stating its withdrawal from the GACAPS Program.


A RESOLUTION
No. _____

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CHILD CARE PROVIDER AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2016.

WHEREAS, many parents are in need of child care assistance after school hours to sustain employment; and,

WHEREAS, there is a need for assistance with child care cost for many families during these economic times; and,

WHERAS, the Department of Family and Children Services (hereinafter called DFCS) oversees the Child Care and Parent Services Program (hereinafter called GACAPS Program) which provides child care subsidies for eligible children; and,

WHEREAS, DFCS will issue the Community Schools Division of Columbus Parks and Recreation Department the Child Care Certificates of children in the CAPS Program for which child care subsidies are to be paid; this agreement is extending the agreement that has been a program with the Parks and Recreation Department for over 15 years. This service through the Department of Family and Children Services pays for the after school care for those parents who cannot afford all or some of their fees; and,

WHEREAS, 50 participants within Parks and Recreation after school programs currently receive subsidies from the GACAPS Program for their child care costs which are paid to Community Schools.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

That the City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Department of Family and Children Services to provide child care services for children who are enrolled in the GACAPS Program to accept child care subsidy payments by invoicing DFCS for GACAPS participants and continue to be on the list of providers available to enroll GACAPS participants of elementary school age.

_______________________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________ day of _____________, 2016 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.


Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Buck voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.

______________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor