Agenda Item # 3
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
February 22, 2011
Agenda Report # 602
TO: Mayor and Councilors
SUBJECT: Learning Together Parents as Teachers Program
INITIATED BY: Cooperative Extension Services
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved
accept $ 41,542.50 in grant funds from the Governor?s Office for Children and
Families (2011 System of Care: Community Strategy Grant Program) and adjust the
Multi-Governmental Fund by the grant amount with local match of $13,847.50.
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.
*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.
**Results (Q1 &2): 2 educators (1.15 FTE) delivered 33,480 minutes of parent
education to target audience (parents and their birth to age 3 years children)
and, deliverables are on-target to be met EOY.
**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 Local
Government Finance System. Grant period is June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012.
Financial Considerations: The grant is for a total of $41,542.50 and is
contingent on 25% cash match of $13,847.50 for Year #2, and will become a
component of the Positive Parenting Program target budget of $55,390. Funding
requests will be considered for a third year. If funds are awarded, there will
be a $13,847.50 match allocated from the FY11 Budget, General Fund - Transfer
for Local Match.
Legal Considerations: Council is the approving authority for all grants.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: None.
Recommendation/Action: Authorize the acceptance of a $41,542.50 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 GRANT FUNDS FROM THE
GOVERNOR?S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF $41,542.50 TO FUND PROGRAMMING
TO EDUCATE THE PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND TO AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL
FUND BY A LIKE AMOUNT, WITH A LOCAL MATCH OF $13,847.50.
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 Community Strategy Grant Program in the Educated Result
Area; 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 submit an application and
if approved accept a grant from the Governor?s Office for Children and Families
in the amount of $41,542.50 with a local match of $13,847.50 to fund a parent
education program and authorize amending the Multi-Governmental fund by the
award of the grant.
__________________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia,
held the _____ day of __________, 2011 and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _________members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting ____________.
Councilor Baker voting ____________.
Councilor Barnes voting ____________.
Councilor Davis voting ____________.
Councilor Henderson voting ____________.
Councilor Huff voting ____________.
Councilor McDaniel voting ____________.
Councilor Thomas voting ____________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting ____________.
Councilor Woodson voting ____________.
____________________________________ ______________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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