TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments including amending the amount of the award, with the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation, to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $35,000 for the Early Childhood Education Program, for a one-year period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In November 2020, the Health Department disseminated early childhood developmental kits to 3,000 young children through one-time federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. This program directly responded to families’ need to engage their young children in social emotional learning, early math, and early literacy development, while following regional health orders to shelter in place. The kits included developmentally appropriate books, art supplies, and additional materials with unique supplies for infants from birth to 18 months, toddlers from 19 months to 36 months, and preschool-aged children from three to five years. There was a large demand from the community for this popular program and the 3,000 kits were quickly exhausted citywide.
The funds will be used to continue the program in North and West Long Beach. These communities face higher rates of poverty and lower access to childcare services compared to more affluent Long Beach neighborhoods. The Health Department will collaborate with the Long Beach Public Library to disseminate approximately 500 early childhood developmental kits for children from birth to five years at no cost. The kits will be paired with 15 how-to videos available in English and Spanish for parents of all backgrounds to effectively use the supplies at home. The kits will also promote ReadyRosie, a digital app for parents and caregivers to access additional how-to videos using the supplies to engage children in learning. Written instructions will support families without reliable i...
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