COM 0726.000 2022-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Form #: B-52 7/18/91 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DEPARTMENT: Research and Development DATE: 1/11/2024 STAFF CONTACT: Angela Thomas PHONE: 808-990-6754 A. REQUEST: A resolution is requested authorizing the County Department of Research and Development to enter into a multi-year (3 year) contract employee agreement that will be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act that must be encumbered no later than December 31, 2024, and expended no later than December 31, 2026. Early Childhood Resource Associate B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED): Hawaii County's Early Childhood Resource team has been laying the groundwork for implementation of a strategic and multi-faceted plan to expand access to affordable and high-quality childcare and education for Hawaii Island keiki. A number of strategies are already in place that nurture private, public and community partnerships,support tuition for island providers, explore employer sponsored opportunities,and provide support to and participation in statewide early childhood initiatives. The team has already held two successful field building conferences, and another is scheduled for September 2024. Both conferences brought statewide speakers who shared with local providers the efforts going on at the state level. In 2024,we are also embarking on two major projects and need additional support to manage the existing work and to assist with the new work. The first project is the construction management and program design for four potential childcare sites around the island. While we understand childcare capacity needs, new opportunities have arisen, and we will need to be available as these projects need direction and support. Working collaboratively with the SFA office as well as landlords and contractors to meet licensing requirements while helping to create unique employer sponsorship designs and selecting and training providers will involve both members of the team. The second project is a deep comprehensive plan to be implemented in the Pahoa School complex that supports keiki to be better ready for kindergarten. This work is being designed after the poor showing of Hawai`i's children on the new Kindergarten Entrance Assessment and capitalizing on the work we have already started in Pahoa. We have community programs and agencies all working together and look forward to making a significant difference for this community. The team is also planning to expand the Pahoa plan effort into North Kohala. Both communities have limited early childhood programming and scored well below the state average on KEA and Third Grade reading scores. Some of the responsibilities of our current Associate will be moved to the new position so they can spend more of their time in the community outreach and programing with the new position assuming some of their duties to maintain on-going work. SIGNED: jl DATE: 01/18/2024 Dea ment H ad