Agenda Item # 3
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
February 14, 2012
Agenda Report # 009
TO: Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: Learning Together Parents as Teachers Program
INITIATED BY: Joanne Cavis, Cooperative Extension Service
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved,
accept $ 27,695 in grant funds from the Governor?s Office for Children and
Families (2012 System of Care: Community Strategy Grant Program) and adjust the
Multi-Governmental Fund by the grant amount with local match of $27,695.
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, continues to
facilitate 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 Parents As Teachers
program, as well as continuing the current capacity to reach children and
parents. 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 evidence-based programs and, as a
collaborator with others who need training and resources.
**Results: 2 educators (1.0 FTE) delivered 66,960 minutes/year of parent
education to target audience (parents and their birth to age 3 years children)
and, deliverables were met.
**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 30, 2012 to June 30, 2013.
**Over a three-year period, the $166,170 budget enabled participation for 47
families and 64 children each year, with 1116 hours/year of parent-child
interactive education (average yearly cash-match of $13,847). This local match
enabled draw-down of $850,000 in grant funds during FY12 that required no cash
match.
Financial Considerations: The grant is for a total of $27,695 and is contingent
on 50% cash match of $27,695 for Year #3, and will become a component of the
Positive Parenting Program target budget of $55,390. This is a third-year
funding request from the Community Strategy Grant Program. If funds are
awarded, there will be a $27,695 match allocated from the FY13 Budget, General
Fund ? Transfer for Local Match.
Legal Considerations: The applicant, Columbus Consolidated Government (for
Positive Parenting Program), is eligible to receive these funds. Council is
the approving authority for all grants.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: If approved, the CCG will be
responsible for the $27,695 cash match.
Recommendation/Action: Authorize application for third year funding and
acceptance of a $27,695 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 $27,695 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 $27,695.
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 here by authorized to apply for and accept a
grant from the Governor?s Office for Children and Families in the amount of
$27,695 with a local match of $27,695 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 14th day of February, 2012 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 __________.
____________________________________ ______________________________
Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor
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