Agenda Item D.1
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM
Meeting Date: April 18, 2023
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
CONTACT: Shannon Kirn, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: Ratification of Mayor Appointment to the United Way SB Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative Coalition
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the ratification of the Mayor appointment to the United Way SB Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative Coalition.
BACKGROUND:
On March 14, 2023, the County of Santa Barbra executed an agreement for services with United Way of Santa Barbara County, Inc . (United Way) for the provision of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) -funded childcare sector recovery and resiliency services (Attachment 1) . As part of this agreement, United Way will focus on implementing childcare sector recovery and resiliency efforts due to the effects of COVID-19 and strengthen the childcare system in the County of Santa Barbara . This will include identifying and assisting new childcare providers, supporting existing childcare providers in pivoting to serving infants and toddlers, identifying childcare facility gaps, and increasing the overall number of licensed childcare slots serving our youngest children.
Part of the program goals is the facilitation of the SB Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative Coalition (Coalition), and United Way has requested that the City of Goleta provide a representative to sit on the Coalition.
Absent an exception provided by statute, Government Code Section 40605 requires the elected Mayor in general law cities, with the approval of the City Council, to make all appointments to City and regional boards, commissions, and committees. On December 1, 2020, the City Council approved Goleta Municipal Code Section 2.15.050(B), which states, that “The Mayor shall, in his or her discretion and subject to City Council approval, appoint liaisons from among the members of the City Council to regional boards, commissions, and committees.”
1 Meeting Date: April 18, 2023
DISCUSSION:
As part of the Agreement between United Way and Santa Barbara County , United Way will be facilitating the Coalition. Members will be part of a county wide effort to improve access to high quality childcare for parents from all economic backgrounds while being part of innovative solutions that will support new and existing childcare centers with sustainable expansion. United Way has been recruiting key community leaders and elected representatives at the state and local level to participate in the Coalition. The Coalition will provide the opportunity for the City of Goleta to be an active participant in the regional efforts and advocate for how those efforts can be amplified in the City of Goleta.
United Way asks all Coalition members to:
1. Attend quarterly meetings to discuss the existing challenges impacting the childcare sector. Coalition meeting dates:
a. April 2023
b. July 2023
c. October 2023
d. January 2023
2. Assist in the development of a childcare sector action plan focusing on technical assistance for businesses/employers and emergency childcare for first responders and essential workers.
3. Recommend, implement and advocate for long term, sustainable solutions that will create a stronger, more stable sector.
4. Advocate on behalf of the initiative with stakeholders, partners and circles of influence to fortify the coalition with supporters from all sectors.
5. Attend meetings and presentations with community leaders to educate, persuade and create change as needed.
6. Evaluate self-performance and that of the Coalition and make recommendations and suggestions for future improvements.
Please see Attachment 2 for the Member Commitment Letter further describing the Coalition.
GOLETA STRATEGIC PLAN:
The appointment of a Councilmember to the United Way SB Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative Coalition aligns with the following sections of the 2021 -2023 Goleta Strategic Plan:
2021-2023 Strategic Plan:
City-Wide Strategy: 2. Support Community Vitality and Enhanced Recreational Opportunities
Strategic Goal : 2.2. Support programs that enhance quality of life in the Goleta community such as recreation, public safety, human services, and cultural arts. 2 Meeting Date: April 18, 2023
2023-2025 Strategic Plan:
City-Wide Strategy : 2. Support Community Vitality and Enhanced Recreational Opportunities
Strategic Goal: 2.3. Support childcare initiatives and programs.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There is no cost associated with the designation of a City of Goleta United Way Childcare Coalition representative.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may elect not to appoint a representative, however, that would limit the City’s ability to participate in and benefit from the regional effort s on improving the childcare sector.
Reviewed By: Legal Review By: Approved By:
___________________ ___________________ _________________ Kristine Schmidt Megan Garibaldi Robert Nisbet
Assistant City Manager City Attorney City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Agreement of Services between the County of Santa Barbara and United Way of Santa Barbara County, Inc.
2. Members Commitment Letter
3 ATTACHMENT 1
Agreement of Services between the County of Santa Barbara and United Way of Santa Barbara County, Inc.
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ATTACHMENT 2
Members Commitment Letter
48 United Way
of Santa Barbara County
320 East Gutierrez Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
tel 805-965-8591
fax 805-962-3461
www.unitedwaysb.org
SB Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative Coalition
Member Commitment
March 2023
Driven by the vision of more resilient communities and supported by committed networks of leaders and organizations, United Way is continually seeking out opportunities to fortify families and students in their financial and educational futures. At the intersection of these focus areas, United Way has identified a significant need for affordable, accessible childcare options for local families.
Supporting comprehensive expansion and development within the childcare sector is an essential extension of United Way’s work to create a more solid foundation for students and families to thrive. Access to quality childcare not only improves children’s future academic outcomes, but also contributes to household financial stability, granting families the flexibility they need to participate in the workforce, manage family finances, and better prepare for future emergencies.
As a member of the Brighter Futures Childcare Initiative, you will be part of a county wide effort to improve access to high quality childcare for parents from all economic backgrounds while being part of innovative solutions that will support new and existing childcare centers with sustainable expansion. United Way asks all coalition members to:
1. Attend quarterly meetings to discuss the existing challenges impacting the childcare sector.
Coalition meeting dates:
a. April 2023
b. July 2023
c. October 2023
d. January 2023
2. Assist in the development of a childcare sector action plan focusing on technical assistance for businesses/employers and emergency childcare for first responders and essential workers.
3. Recommend, implement and advocate for long term, sustainable solutions that will create a stronger, more stable sector.
4. Advocate on behalf of the initiative with stakeholders, partners and circles of influence to fortify the coalition with supporters from all sectors.
5. Attend meetings and presentations with community leaders to educate, persuade and create change as needed.
6. Evaluate my performance and that of the Coalition and make recommendations and suggestions for future improvements.
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