Agenda Item # 4
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
May 12, 2009
Agenda Report # 391
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Learning Together Parents as Teachers Program
INITIATED BY: Cooperative Extension Service
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Recommendation: Approval is requested and if approved, accept a grant of $
229,600 from the Governor?s Office for Children and Families (Caring
Communities: A System of Care Approach) and adjust the Multi-Governmental Fund
by the grants amount.
Background: What happens in early childhood matters for a lifetime. The basic
principles of neuroscience indicate that providing supportive and positive
conditions for early childhood development is more effective and less costly
than attempting to address the consequences of adversity later.
Results from the Building Prosperity in Columbus study by the Fanning Institute
and Columbus community leaders, show that there is a high need to have our
children ready to succeed in school, but little in the community to support
parents preparing their birth through age three years children. Since education
begins at home and parents are their children?s first and most influential
teachers, educating and supporting parents is a logical strategy.
Parent education programs are needed to increase the number of parents of very
young children who understand positive discipline techniques, child development
and developmentally appropriate practices, in order to prevent child
maltreatment and prepare them to succeed in school. This program will use the
Parents As Teachers curricula and a personal visit approach to provide families
with the information and skills needed to create a nurturing and safe
environment for their children age birth through three years. This project is
congruent with research on early brain development.
The mission of the Governor?s Office on Children and Families is to build
capacity in communities using the System Of Care approach (coordinating and
integrating prevention and intervention programs from multiple entities) to
build infrastructure needed for positive outcomes for children and families.
The Zero-To-Three Task Force, composed of community partners who have interest
in and/or services for very young children and their parents, is facilitating
the development of an SOC that addresses the target audience so that children
are ready to succeed when they enter school. The Learning Together Parents As
Teachers program is one component of the System Of Care. More parent educators
are needed.
Analysis: This grant will enable the continuation of the parent education
programming, as well as increasing the capacity to reach more children and
parents, delivered by Cooperative Extension over the last 25 years. There is no
cost to the participants who have few choices for proactive parent education
programs. UGA Cooperative Extension is a recognized leader in delivery of high
quality training and as a collaborator with others who need training and
resources. This grant will ensure the continuation of the Learning Together
Parents As Teachers program in Columbus as well as provide leverage dollars to
secure additional grant funding. All transactions will be conducted through
the Local Government Finance System. The grant period is October 1, 2009
through December 31, 2010.
Financial Considerations: The grant is for a total of $229,600 and will become
a component of the Positive Parenting Program. Funding requests will be
considered for a second and third year. Preference is given to applicants that
have investments from at least one other source in their community. There is
an $8,000 match in the FY10 Positive Parenting budget.
Legal Considerations: The applicant, Columbus Consolidated Government (for
Positive Parenting Program), is eligible to receive these funds.
Recommendation/Action: Authorize to submit an application for a $229,600 grant
from the Governor?s Office for Children and Families and adjust the
Multi-Governmental Fund by the grant amount.
A RESOLUTION
No. ________
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT MATCHING GRANT FUNDS
FROM THE GOVERNOR?S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF $229,600 TO FUND
PROGRAMMING TO EDUCATE THE PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND TO AMEND THE
MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY A LIKE AMOUNT.
WHEREAS, the funds have been made available from the Governor?s Office
For Children and Families for the purpose of conducting parenting education
under a System Of Care approach; and,
WHEREAS, the UGA Cooperative Extension in Columbus has operated
parenting education programs under the umbrella of Positive Parenting Program;
and,
WHEREAS, there is a need to increase the knowledge and skills of
parents with young children so that they can provide a nurturing and safe
environment; and,
WHEREAS, parent education is a proven deterrent to prevent child
maltreatment and parents are their child?s first teachers who help them be
ready to succeed in school; and
WHEREAS, there is limited access to pro-active parent education for
families in transition or parents who want to increase their parenting skills
and knowledge; and,
WHEREAS, it is important to keep in active status, the Learning Together
Parents As Teachers program in Columbus.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to apply for and accept a
grant from the Governor?s Office for Children and Families of $229,600 to fund
a parent education program and authorize amending the Multi-Governmental fund
by the award of the grant.
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Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia,
held the 12th day of May, 2009 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative
vote of _________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting ____________
Councilor Anthony voting ____________
Councilor Baker voting ____________
Councilor Barnes voting ____________
Councilor Davis voting ____________
Councilor Henderson voting ____________
Councilor Hunter voting ____________
Councilor McDaniel voting ____________
Councilor Turner Pugh voting ____________
Councilor Woodson voting ____________
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Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington, Mayor
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