The City of Sparks Parks and Recreation Department provides Before and After School child care at 16 elementary schools throughout the City. There is a reasonable fee associated with this program that is implemented to offset the direct costs of staffing and materials for each site.

There are some members of our community who cannot afford these minimal costs, but are in need of the program. For these people, the City of Sparks Parks and Recreation Department solicits grant funding through the Children’s Cabinet, Inc., which is a family resource center that acts as a clearing house of information and services for children and their families. These funds are administered to low-income citizens based on a sliding fee scale and program policies implemented by the Department of Human Resources Welfare Division. The Children’s Cabinet, Inc., awards funding based on applications from various agencies.

To streamline the process, child care providers have consolidated their requests under combined applications. These applications are coordinated by the Children’s Cabinet, Inc., who also processes the funding throughout the year.

The current Agreement includes a total request of TWENTY NINE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS ($29,700.00) in funding to be effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. This is the 17th year we have processed the funding through the Children’s Cabinet, and it has proven to be the most effective process.

1. Council may redirect staff to seek alternative funding source.

2. Council may accept staff's recommendation.

I move to accept the 2014/2015 Memorandum of Agreement with the Children’s Cabinet, Inc., for a grant of $29,700 as presented by staff.