Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Council Members

Agenda Item # 3



Columbus Consolidated Government



Council Meeting



October 14, 2014



Agenda Report # 33





TO: Mayor and City Council



SUBJECT: Project Launch Home Visitation Grant



INITIATED BY: Jennifer Davidson, Cooperative Extension





Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved

accept a grant (with no local match required) from Columbus Board of Health for

up to $46,000, for the period of October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015.

This funding is renewable annually until September 30 2018. Approval is also

requested to amend the Multi-Governmental Grant Fund by the award of the grant.



Background: What happens in early childhood matters for a lifetime.

Neuroscience indicates that providing supportive and positive conditions for

early childhood development is more effective and less costly than addressing

consequences of adversity later. Since education begins at home and parents are

their children?s first and most influential teachers, educating and supporting

parents is a logical strategy.



The Project Launch program will allow for collaborative efforts among child

serving agencies at the state and local level. This funding will supplement

the already successful home visitation program administered through Cooperative

Extension, Healthy Families, Columbus by the addition of one home visitor.



The program implementing department is Cooperative Extension.



Analysis: This grant enables the expansion of home-visitation, evidenced-based

parent education programming, in order to reach 20 more children and parents.

UGA Cooperative Extension is a recognized leader in delivery of high quality

trainings and, as a collaborator with others.



Financial Considerations: The Healthy Families program in Columbus is also

funded by Contract #HV12-009 as part of the comprehensive home visiting

strategy. No local match required.

Legal Considerations: The applicant, Columbus Consolidated Government (for

Cooperative Extension) is eligible to receive these funds.



Recommendation/Action: Authorize the City Manager to apply and if approved

accept the $46,000 (or otherwise awarded) grant from the Columbus Board of

Health and adjust the multi-Government fund by the grant amount.





A RESOLUTION



No. _____



A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND

IF APPROVED ACCEPT A GRANT (WITH NO LOCAL MATCH REQUIRED) FOR $46,000 (OR

AMOUNT AWARDED) FROM THE COLUMBUS BOARD OF HEALTH TO EXPAND HOME VISITATION

PROGRAMS AND AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL GRANT FUND BY THE AWARD AMOUNT.



WHEREAS, the funds have been made available from the Columbus Board of

Health for the purpose of evidence based, home visitation programs for

parenting education under an Early Childhood System Of Care that addresses

Federal home visiting benchmark areas and constructs; and, Muscogee was

selected as the only eligible location to apply; and,



WHEREAS, the UGA Cooperative Extension in Columbus has operated Healthy

Families, a home visiting parenting education program, 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 while acting as their children?s first teachers; and,



WHEREAS, parent education through evidence based, home visiting models

is a proven strategy to prevent child maltreatment, improve maternal and

newborn health, improve school readiness and achievement, and improve

coordination and referrals for other community resources and supports; and,



WHEREAS, there is limited access to pro-active parent education for

families at-risk, in transition, or parents who want to increase their

parenting skills and knowledge; and,



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

FOLLOWS:



1. That the City Manager is here by authorized to submit an application

and, if approved, accept grant funds; and,



2. Amend the Multi-Governmental Grant Fund by the award of the Grant.



__________________________



Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the

14th of October 2014, 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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