AGENDA DATE: 8/5/2015
TITLE:
Title
Community Effort to Address Pre-K Needs
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Consider endorsement of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Early Education Task Force purpose, vision and near-term desired outcomes
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker
PRESENTER (S): Doug Walker, Deputy County Executive
LEGAL REVIEW: No
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: On April 23, 2015, the United Way and Charlottesville Tomorrow co-hosted a summit focused on pre-Kindergarten needs in the region and in the Charlottesville and Albemarle communities specifically. With participation of approximately 80 community members representing businesses, non-profits, local schools and local governments, the summit concluded with a stated interest in undertaking work to address the current gap between the number of at-risk four-year olds currently receiving pre-K services in the City and County and those who would be eligible for pre-K but are not currently being served. This gap, estimated at about 250 to 300 children in the two localities combined, highlights the fact that current programs are not serving all at-risk children.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Educational Opportunities: Provide lifelong learning opportunities for all our citizens
DISCUSSION: In response to the interest expressed by participants at the Pre-K Summit, the local United Way initiated a community-based effort to bring together a broad cross-section of stakeholder representatives from the City and County to pursue actively a vision for the community to provide access to high quality early education programs for every at-risk child. The United Way drafted a summary work plan including a stated purpose, vision and identification of specific outcomes as indicators of near term success. In forming the Charlottesville-Albemarle Early Education Task Force, the United Way recommended a specific compliment of local government, public school, non-profit and business representatives. Participants directly related to Albemarle County include Doug Walker, Deputy County Executive, Ann McAndrew, Bright Stars Coordinator for the Department of Social Services, and Dean Tisdadt, Chief Operations Officer for Albemarle County Public Schools. Tom Foley, County Executive, has also been identified as a member of an oversight committee referenced as “Key Advocates and Keepers of the Vision.” The full draft of the organizing document is attached (Attachment A). Given that the intent of this effort is to compliment the investments already being made by the two localities, it is expected that primary focus on options and opportunities to close the identified pre-K gap will be on approaches not currently used and/or not fully utilized, such as available Virginia Pre-school Initiative funding from the Virginia Department of Education that is not matched currently for the County’s Bright Stars program. In this way, it is envisioned that it is possible to increase access to pre-K and close the gap without reliance on additional local tax dollars.
BUDGET IMPACT: It is not expected currently that the participation in this community lead effort specifically will have a direct budget impact. Outcomes from this effort may impact future consideration of funding for pre-K programs and services. It is assumed that staff time dedicated for this effort will be reasonable.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors endorse the County’s participation in and support of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Early Education Task Force
ATTACHMENTS: Charlottesville-Albemarle Early Education Task Force