Title
Library Department recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize acceptance of a local assistance grant of $25,000 from the California State Library to be utilized for a Community Hub Communication contract for the implementation of the Early Learning Mentor Library and Community Hubs Connect project;
2) Authorize the Library Director, or designee, to sign the Financial Claim and Grant Award Certification required to accept this grant funding for expenditures in Fiscal Year 2022-23; and
3) Authorize the Library Director, or designee, as the authorized representative to execute and submit any subsequent grant-related documents as necessary to administer and implement the grant project, including any amendments to the grant agreement that do no extend the term or impact Net County Cost, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval.
FUNDING: Stronger Together: Early Learning Mentor Libraries local assistance grant administered by the California State Library.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California State Library is currently funding Stronger Together: Early Learning, a state-funded opportunity that provides grants to help local libraries strengthen their roles as early learning community hubs and improve or expand early learning programs and services in their communities. The purpose of these grants is to support the critical role that libraries play in providing much needed wraparound services and resources, ensuring equitable access to opportunity for young children and their families across the state. Early Learning grants ($3 million) are aimed to connect children, youth, families and caregivers with the services they need to thrive, by building or enhancing early learning hubs and wraparound services. By further integrating the work of libraries and other community service providers, these grants will help ensure that Californians will be connected to the resources they need where and when they need them. As trusted, stigma-free community hubs, libraries offer a unique setting to strengthen at-risk families, promote wellness and deliver a range of important early learning opportunities.
The Community Hubs Connect grant in the Stronger Together Early Learning category was awarded to the El Dorado County Library system to function as a Community Hub Mentor Library to serve as a lead through presentations, consultation, group learning sessions, and sharing of resources to facilitate a Community of Practice for California libraries focused on growing into community hubs so that they may build resiliency with
children, families, and individuals through collaborative, community-based prevention and early intervention services.
One of the core elements of this grant is to develop a Community Hub Communication plan and materials for the wide scope of services offered, including social, health, education, community, justice, and basic needs.
First 5 El Dorado has committed a $20,000 cash match specifically for this project, to be paid directly to the Community Hub Communication contract agency, to be determined by the Request for Application process of selection.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Stronger Together: Early Learning Community Hubs Connect grant is not accepted, the Library will not implement the project, and the California State Library must be notified of the grant refusal. The California State Library has encumbered these funds for our Library system and they must be notified as at least one week in advance of the ending of their fiscal year (June 30, 2022) if the funds cannot be accepted. Any funds that are not accepted/encumbered by June 30, 2022 will be forfeited by the California State Library.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed and approved the grant agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this item. The $6,250 matching funds requirement of the California State Library grant will be met and exceeded by the First 5 El Dorado $20,000 commitment for the project. The Library Department has included this grant in their Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget request, and will include it in future year budget requests for the remainder of the grant.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Carolyn Brooks, Library Director