TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager create a child care pilot program for meetings in the Civic Chambers, using $3,000 of Second Council District One Time District Priority Fund.
Additionally, request the Mayor to put a time certain for all family-related policies to be heard before Council.
DISCUSSION
Studies have shown that parental involvement in civic activities promotes the "ethic of social responsibility" in their children. Parental involvement has also shown a strong predictor of future youth volunteering (Settle, Bond, & Levitt, 201.1). Researchers have found increased youth participation when there is parental participation.
Testimonies from different organizations have stated the difficulty in finding childcare, making it inaccessible for parents to participate. As the progressive City that we are, it is our duty to be able to provide access and equitable solutions for all residents to participate in the decision-making process.
It is envisioned the City Manager would create a pilot program to offer childcare services at City Council meetings. Childcare services will be provided upon request and Will carry the required insurance as determined by Risk Management. A request shall be made to the City Clerk 48 hours prior to the council meeting and have at least a minimum of three or more children from ages 2-13 to provide services. The hours of operation will be from 5pm to 10 pm and extended if needed. These services will be provided adequately in City facilities or locations that are accessible and habitable for child care use.
The agency will track the number of hours for each event and provide a report at the end of the grant to assess the needs and the continuation of the program. The Los Angeles Education Partnership has provided services such as this for other organizations and has expressed interest in running the pilot, as determined by the City Manager.
Additionally, the City Council requests the Mayor to ensure family-related policy items are time certain to accommodate families with children.
This matter was reviewed by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on October 17, 2019.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY:
The approval of this recommendation is urgent due to the need of the services provided by the pilot program.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation requests the City Manager to create a child care pilot program for meetings in the Civic Chambers using $3,000 of Second Council District One Time District Priority Fund, and also requests the Mayor to put a time certain for all family-related policies to be heard before Council. This recommendation would be funded by up to $3,000 from the Second Council District One Time District Priorities Funds. Implementing this recommendation is anticipated to have a minimal impact on staff time outside of normally budgeted scope of work and minimal impact on existing Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
JEANNINE PEARCE
COUNCILMEMBER, SECOND DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT
REX RICHARDSON
COUNCILMEMBER, NINTH DISTRICT