Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 23-6441 Meeting Date: 8/15/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: CAMERON HARDING, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE REGISTRATION POLICY FOR THE CITY’S
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AND THE STATUS OF PROGRAM ENROLLMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council’s Strategic Plan includes an objective to provide a report on possible policy changes and options to provide continuity of service to existing program participants in the Afterschool program and to ensure the inclusion of siblings of existing participants in future program enrollment.
The City’s daily Afterschool program is provided throughout the regular school year for approximately 400 elementary-aged children, excluding those in kindergarten. This report describes the existing program registration process and provides an opportunity for the City Council to discuss policy options.
BACKGROUND
As part of the Strategic Planning process, the City Council requested a report on possible policy changes and options to provide continuity of service in the Afterschool program and to ensure the inclusion of siblings of existing participants in future program enrollment. The current Afterschool Program policy is responsive to the concern regarding sibling participation, and is outlined below.
General Program Information
The Community Services Department implements a daily Afterschool Program throughout the regular school year for elementary-aged children, excluding those in kindergarten. Participants must attend a Redondo Beach Unified School District (District) school as the program is held on each of the eight elementary school sites and transportation is not provided. The program is made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding with the District and supports approximately 400 children each year.
This number is anticipated to grow as additional employees are hired and trained.
Registration Process
Currently, program registrants are required to re-register at the start of each school year. Continued enrollment in the program is not automatic. This registration process has been the standard practice for many years. In late spring, families are instructed to register their child(ren) online for the upcoming school year at a pre-set date and time. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
As a result of limited staffing and a high number of families interested in the program, the registration process is highly impacted, resulting in many families being added to a waitlist. The process of having all families re-register for the program allows a larger group of families access to the program on a year-by-year basis. If priority registration is granted to existing participants, families that are unsuccessful in registering their children in their early elementary years may never have the
N.1., File # 23-6441 Meeting Date: 8/15/2023
unsuccessful in registering their children in their early elementary years may never have the opportunity to enroll in the program.
Inclusion of Siblings
Once a child’s registration is confirmed in the program, staff ensures that any siblings that also need after school care are granted a spot. This removes the burden on parents to get all children registered during a very competitive registration process, which has shown to fill the program to capacity in only a few minutes. Staff intends to continue this practice in support of families with multiple children.
COORDINATION
The Community Services Department developed this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this report.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
None