Recommendation

To be implemented by

Timeline

Estimated funds needed

Increase quality child care availability for low income families by:

1.)    Providing child care subsidies for an additional 100 children whose family income is up to 185% above poverty level

2.)    Adding 1 child care eligibility worker to manage the above case load

In FY 04, provide subsidies and 1 additional worker to cover an additional 100 families up to 200% of poverty level

DHS

FY 2003

FY 2004

$55,000 in salaries and operating expenses for a Grade 7 eligibility worker

$630,000 in subsidies ($525/mo x 12 mos x 100  children)

Total: $685,000

$685,000

Identify and assist unregulated child care providers in the community to get training and licenses by funding  a non-profit child care outreach position.

Community non-profit, through DHS contract. Cooperation from DHS child care staff.

FY 2003

$50,000 for salary and operating costs

Expand the level of parent education services, outreach, and strategic coordination among parenting programs within the community by increasing DHS Parent Education Program resources from 1 (current) to 3 positions.

DHS (also consider support from Schools)

FY 2003

$69,000 for salary & operating expenses for Grade 10 Bilingual Co-coordinator

$53,000 in instructor contract costs for increasing classes offered

$40,000 for salary & operating expenses for Grade 5 bilingual admin asst.

Total: $162,000

Fund 8 half-time Community Resource Coordinator positions to connect students in middle, high, and special programs with a wider breadth of non-school activities in the community. (This is separate from the half-time Activities Coordinators positions added for FY 02.)

Community Activities Fund, with input from Partnership on the design of the position.

02-03 school year

$200,000 8 half-time positions at $25,000 per year (salary and operating costs).

Enhance the GET REAL NOW web site with an up-to-date database-driven activities and events calendar for teens; and maintain a Partnership web site. (half-time Library staff or contract position)

Dept. of Libraries

FY 03

$21,000 for half-time staff or contract

$4,000 for design and development of Partnership web site

$1,500 for design of the calendar

Total: $26,500

Enhance the level of qualified mental health support available to students; train School staff, parents and students in recognizing and responding to signs of anxiety, depression, or suicide ideation. (3 positions-one each for elementary, middle and high school level).

DHS , Schools

02-03 school yr

$198,000 in salaries and expenses for 3 mental health positions

Total: $198,000

Supplement Partnership capacity with an Assets Liaison and an administrative support position. (Could be contract positions.)

County and School Board

FY 2003

$66,000 in salaries and operating expenses for assets outreach

$32,000 in salaries and operating expenses for clerical support

Total: $98,000

Recommendation

To be implemented by

Timeline

Work with State legislative delegates to explore how to provide health benefits for child care providers

County Board

FY 03 Legislative package

Conduct a media campaign to increase child care provider outreach and recruitment, especially for infants.

Non-profits, faith communities, media

2002, Ongoing

Evaluate training needs for DHS child care staff, center based and in-home providers, and parents in recognizing developmental delays and linking children to services

DHS child care staff and public health staff

FY 03

Explore innovative options for making more space available to child care centers and early childhood programs (such as Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Schools 4-year olds initiative) through incentives for developers, no/low interest loans to churches for renovations, etc.

County Board, planning, zoning, and economic development staff

FY 03, ongoing

Identify the level of County funding needed to expand and institutionalize existing parenting programs (County and community-based) to meet the full need and to ensure a broad spectrum of parenting resources for the full range of families-from high functioning to high-risk, and to include working and stay-at-home parents.

DHS Parent Education Coordinator, gathering cost projections from each program manager.

FY 03-cost projections

FY 04-budget recommendations

Study and review key components of a Community School (and monitor efforts underway at Kenmore Middle School).

Recruit and designate one or more Arlington Public Schools as a full-service community school.

Study team led by Arlington Public Schools, to include Partnership members

02- 03 (study)

03- 04  (designation of pilot school to begin planning process.)

Systematically review, with student input, the effectiveness of conflict resolution and harassment prevention programs in the schools, including peer mediation.

Schools-Student Services and Instruction with student input

02-03 (review)

03-04 (integration)

Encourage youth-serving organizations to solicit youth input in their planning and activities, and to consider barriers to youth access, such as affordability, transportation issues, language, and comfort level.

The Boards, Partnership

Ongoing

Conduct a feasibility study with strong youth involvement on the design of one or more teen centers

Partnership work group and youth group, with Board input on key members needed to expedite the process

FY 03

Launch a county-wide campaign to promote volunteering, particularly among youth.

County Volunteer Office, with support from businesses

FY 03

Explore the incorporation of community service into students'school work by giving academic credit for volunteer work.

Schools, with assistance from the County Volunteer Office in identifying service opportunities.

Begin research in 02-03

Implement in 04-05

Support efforts to enhance youth employment opportunities through the Arlington Employment Center.

County Board, EID

FY 03 budget

Identify the level of County funding needed to expand and institutionalize early intervention programs such as mentoring, parenting instruction, and home-visiting, for at-risk families with young children, especially teen parents.

DHS Child and Family Services staff, collecting evaluation data and information on expansion costs from County and community-based providers.

FY 03 collect information

FY 04  allocate funds

Use Partnership survey data to target areas of greatest risk for our young people, and develop awareness and prevention campaigns. Include youth in design and execution of the campaigns.

Partnership Youth Group, Vanguard, CrisisLink, Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry, businesses, parents

Begin design in FY 03

Campaign launch in 04.

Explore opportunities for developing sex education and prevention dialogue beyond what is allowed in the schools in community settings. Include youth in review of existing materials/programs and design of new ones.

Continuation of Partnership work group on sexuality, with youth involvement and representatives from non-profits, faith community, parents etc.

Study in FY 03

Plan/recommendations in 04