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CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCQ ~!H~A L
From: Mayor Patrick J. Morris
Subject:
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN BERNARDINO RATIFYING THE
SUBMITTED GRANT APPLICATION
FOR THE FIRST 5 EMERGING NEEDS
2009 INVESTMENT INITIATIVE.
. Dept: Mayor's Office
Date: April 16, 2009
Meeting date: May 4, 2009
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
None
Recommended motion:
Adopt resolution.
c~~
gnature
Contact person:
Julie Frazier-Mathews
Phone:
3650
Supporting data attached: Staff Report, Resolution
Agreement
Ward: all
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Amount: $24,980 in grant funds
Source: (Acct. No.)
(Acct. Description)
Finance:
Council Notes:
Peso Zco <7 - //.7-
Agenda Item No. ~
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CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
STAFF REPORT
Subject:
Resolution of the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino ratifying the
submitted grant application for the First 5 Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative.
Background:
On January 7, 2009 First 5 San Bernardino ("Commission") announced the Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative Request for Application (RF A). This investment opportunity allows
the Commission to support community-driven projects that address emerging needs for children
prenatal through five years of age and their families in communities throughout San Bernardino
County by: 1) filling in the gaps to provide those services, and 2) building the capacity of
existing programs to be proactively responsive.
The Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RF A is based on the recognition that those
living and working in a community have a unique and critical understanding of their community
assets and needs, and they have creative ideas for effectively addressing those needs. First 5 San
Bernardino investments are aimed at maximizing a community's own resources, and involving
members of the community with untapped potential to be responsive to emerging needs by filling
in the gaps in services and to build the capacity of existing services.
Awards are limited to non-profit, charitable organizations and/or government entities. Contracts
through this RF A will be awarded on a one-time basis and are contingent upon completing the
proposed project. A maximum of $25,000 may be awarded for approved projects. Total
allocation for the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative is $ 1.3 Million. Although RF As
will be accepted from current partner agencies, preference may be given to those who do not
currently receive funds from First 5 San Bernardino.
Projects must be completed within the current fiscal year that awards are given (June 30, 2009)
and must align with the First 5 San Bernardino Strategic Plan. Organizations receiving awards
will also be subject to reporting requirements as First 5 San Bernardino has a long-term interest
in learning how under-served communities will be helped by this funding. First 5 San
Bernardino will work with the organizations to determine performance targets and identify
project successes.
On behalf of the Mayor's Promise of Preschool Initiative, the Mayor's Office requested $24,980
to help support the development of a quality rating and improvement system for early care and
education in the City of San Bernardino. Specifically, we are requesting funds to support a I-day
training event for up to 100 center directors and teachers in early care and education programs
serving preschool-age children in the city. The training will be provided in conjunction with a
community forum to be hosted in June 2009 in the city. Funds were also requested to purchase
materials associated with the training, and to provide small, one-time grants to help programs
improve areas known to be barriers to successful scores on the Early Childhood Environmental
Rating Scale (ECERS). It should be noted that while this training is of an introductory nature, it
will be followed by workshops to guide providers in how to conduct a self-assessment.
Ultimately, our aim is to create a pool oflocal assessors who will be able to conduct assessments
in the City and eventually countywide. Please see page 10 of the grant application for a
breakdown ofthe requested funding.
With the help of this initiative, we therefore propose to begin the process of developing a system
to assess the quality of the programs, with a special focus on the privately administered programs
serving preschool age children within the city. The first step is to provide a I-day training on the
Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale to up to 100 participants, including directors and
teachers, from the 66 centers in the city. Dr. Thelma Harms from the Frank Porter Graham Child
Development Institute at the University of North Carolina will conduct the training on June 30.
This overview will include training on how to prepare for an ECERS assessment, and it will be
followed by workshops on how to do a self-assessment using the ECERS scales.
On April 14, 2009, the grant application was submitted to the Grants Ad Hoc Committee and
was recommended for submittal to the full Council. The Mayor's Office received notification on
April I, 2009 that the full grant amount requested had been awarded.
Fiscal Impact:
The amount of grant funding requested is $24,980. There are no matching funds required by the
City. The City of San Bernardino has been approved for the funding in the amount of $24,980 to
provide a I-day training on the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS) to up to
100 participants, including directors and teachers, from 66 centers in the city. All grant funds
must be expended by June 30, 2009.
Recommendation:
Adopt resolution.
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(C(Q)rv
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO RATIFYING THE SUBMITTED GRANT
APPLICATION FOR THE FIRST 5 EMERGING NEEDS 2009 INVESTMENT
INITIATIVE.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Mayor and Common Council hereby ratify the Mayor's
submitted grant application to First 5 San Bernardino. A copy of which is attached
hereto, marked Exhibit '"A" and by this reference made a part hereof. The City
Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to execute in the name of San
Bernardino all necessary forms for the purpose of securing payments and to
implement and carry out the purposes specified in First 5 Emerging Needs Investment
Initiative Request for Application (RF A) and provide information regarding this
program to First 5 San Bernardino upon request.
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RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO RATIFYING THE SUBMITTED GRANT
APPLICATION FOR THE FIRST 5 EMERGING NEEDS 2009 INVESTMENT
INITIA TIVE.
[ HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Mayor
and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at a
meeting thereof. held
. 2009. by the following vote. to wit:
on the_ day of
9 Council Members:
AYES
NAYS
ABSTAIN ABSENT
ESTRADA
BAXTER
BRINKER
SHORETT
KELLEY
JOHNSON
MC CAMMACK
City Clerk
The foregoing Resolution is hereby approved this
day of
,2009. .
Patrick J. Morris, Mayor
City of San Bernardino
Approved as to Form:
JAMES F. PENMAN.
City Attorney
EXHIBIT "A"
FIRST5
· SAN BERNARDINO
EMERGING NEEDS
2009
Investment Initiative
"
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Request for Application & Guidelines Packet
First 5 San Bernardino
330 N. 0 Street, 5'" Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415
909.386.7706 909.386.7703 FAX
www.first5sanbernardino.orQ
~~!!i!!12
Notice to the Public
Issue Date: January 7, 2009
First 5 San Bernardino C'CommissionU) announces the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment
Initiative Request for Application (RFA). This investment opportunity allows the Commission to
support community-driven projects that address emerging needs for children prenatal through
five years of age and their families in communities throughout San Bernardino County by: 1)
filling in the gaps to provide those services, and 2) building the capacity of existing programs to
be proactively responsive.
The Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA is based on the recognition that those
living and working in a community have a unique and critical understanding of their community
assets and needs, and they have creative ideas for effectively addressing those needs. First 5
San Bernardino investments are aimed at maximizing a community's own resources, and
involving members of the community with untapped potential to be responsive to emerging
needs by filling in the gaps in services and to build the capacity of existing services.
Awards are limited to non-profit, charitable organizations and/or government entities.
Contracts through this RFA will be awarded on a one-time basis and are contingent upon the
proposed project. A maximum of $25,000 may be awarded for approved projects. Total
allocation for the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative is $ 1.3 Million. Although RFAs
will be accepted from current partner agencies, preference may be given to those who do not
currently receive funds from First 5 San Bernardino.
Projects must be completed within the current fiscal year that awards are given (June 30, 2009)
and must align with the First 5 San Bernardino Strategic Plan. Organizations receiving awards
will also be subject to reporting requirements as First 5 San Bernardino has a long-term interest
in learning how under-served communities will be helped by this funding. First 5 San
Bernardino wili work with the organizations to determine performance targets and identify
project successes.
RFAs for the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative will be accepted through March 27,
2009.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN:
That the First 5 San Bernardino Children and Families Commission will receive RFAs from
qualified organizations for the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative as outlined in the
Request for Application and Guidelines Packet available from the address listed below, or from
the First 5 San Bernardino website: www.First5SanBernardino.orQ
First 5 San Bernardino
Attention: Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA
330 North D Street, 5th Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
Purpose and Definition of Emerging Needs
The Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA was created to allow First 5 San
Bernardino to act responsively to the emerging needs of children prenatal through age 5 and
their families living in San Bernardino County. First 5 San Bernardino investments are aimed at
maximizing a community's own resources, and involving members of the community with
untapped potential to be responsive to the gaps in services and to build the capacity of existing
services to address those pressing needs.
To that end, the Commission wishes to award funds various community-driven projects to
address an emerging need for children age prenatal through age 5 and their families living in
San Bernardino County. Some examples of awarded projects may include:
. Purchase a pediatric dental chair to expand oral health services;
. Hire a trainer with core expertise in serving children with special needs;
. Purchase supplies for families living in transitional facilities (for example, homeless or
domestic violence shelters, foster homes, transitional homes, etc.);
. Cover unexpected or emergency expenses for agencies;
. Purchase equipment for literacy stations at a community center, church or library.
Each Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA must address the First 5 San Bernardino
Strategic Plan. First 5 San Bernardino adopted its initial Strategic Plan in April 2000. The plan
specified many of the challenges faced by our children, prenatal through age five, and their
families. Thus, each RFA must address the First 5 San Bernardino County Strategic Plan,
"Investing in our Children Prenatal through Age Five." The Plan outlines the Commission's
policies, programs and allocation of resources that align with the vision and link to one or more
of the following desired results:
. Communities are engaged and empowered to meet the needs of their children and
families
. Children are ready to enter and succeed in school
. Families are safe and healthy
. Children are safe and healthy
· Systems are responsive to the needs of children, families, and community
The Strategic Plan has been revised and continues to serve as a gUide to the Commission's
efforts. It is highly recommended that all applicants read the Strategic Plan prior to submitting
their RFAs. The Strategic Plan can be found by visiting the First S San Bernardino website,
www.firstSsanbernardino.ora. or contacting the office at 909.386.7706.
Eligibility Criteria
For the purpose of this effort, RFAs are being accepted to support projects that are community-
driven, enabling charitable organizations, non-profits and government agencies to take
innovative action on emerging issues concerning children prenatal through age five and their
families throughout San Bernardino County.
All entities must have a reasonable level of organizational capacity and must be able to
demonstrate their qualifications and ability to successfully implement the proposed project.
Please make note of the following restrictions for this program:
2
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
1. Proposed projects must benefit children prenatal through 5 years of age, and their
families living in San Bernardino County.
2. Award recipients can only receive funding once in a 12 month period.
3. Awards are not intended for on-going support, but for one-time only support.
4. Proposed activities must be non-discriminatory.
5. Current Partner Agencies may apply, but priority will be given to agencies with whom
First 5 San Bernardino has not yet contracted.
6. Special consideration will be given to agencies applying to serve rural areas of San
Bernardino County.
7. Activities/projects must be completed within the fiscal vear June 30. 2009.
8. Awards cannot be used for research, planning or capital expenses.
9. Awards are limited to non-profit, charitable organizations and/or government entities.
10. Awards may not be used for fundraising events such as walk-a-thons, tournaments,
fashion shows, and ongoing fundraising expenses in an organization.
11. Awards may not be used for events designed to elect candidates to public office or make
references to political campaigns or issues.
12. Faith based communities submitting RFAs must comply with the following conditions:
. Active participation in the faith cannot be a prerequisite for individuals receiving
services funded with First 5 San Bernardino awards;
. Positive accommodation needs to be made for participation by persons of all
faiths;
. Funded services must serve the entire community at large;
. Staff and volunteers cannot proselytize their faith to service recipients; and
. The provider must comply with the State and County anti-discrimination laws.
13. Current First 5 San Bernardino Partner Agencies cannot use Emerging Needs 2009
Investment Initiative RFA awards to supplement their existing scope of work or budget.
14. Early Care and Education Criteria - Proposed early care and education-type
projects should address the following:
./ Proposed curriculum and/or curriculum materials must include a rationale in the
narrative -section (identify the source of the curriculum, what age group the
curriculum is designed for, and why the curriculum was selected/chosen).
./ Proposed software purchases for children must include a rationale for the use of
computers and software in the narrative section as well as an overview of how the
software will be used within the applicant's program (i.e., daiiy activity? length of
time per activity per child7). Software must be age-appropriate.
./ Proposed purchases of materials such as art supplies, books, or backpacks must be
developmentally appropriate and limited to children ages 0-5.
Available Awards
--~~
3
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
Awards are limited to non-profit, charitable organizations and/or government entities.
Contracts awarded through this RFA process will be awarded on a one-time basis and are
contingent upon the proposed project. A maximum of $25,000 may be awarded for approved
projects. Total allocation for Emerging Needs is $1.3 Million. For profit agencies are not eligible
for Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative awards.
Important Dates
RFAs for the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative will be accepted through March 27.
2009. Awards must be expended by the end of the current fiscal year, June 30, 2009.
Application Process
To apply for Emerging Needs please submit the attached RFA and supportive documentation to
the First 5 San Bernardino office. The RFA can be typed or neatly handwritten. An electronic
version of this RFA can be accessed on the website at www.firstSsanbernardino.ora.
The Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA must include the following items:
1. RFA Cover Sheet;
2. RFA Narrative (not to exceed 3 pages);
3. RFA Budget Form and Justification; and
4. RFA Letter of Authorization.
RFAs can either be mailed or hand-delivered to the First 5 San Bernardino office. RFAs will be
reviewed as they are received; however, the final date to submit RFAs for the Emerging
Needs 2009 Investment Initiative is March 27, 2009. RFAs will not be accepted via e-
mail or fax.
Please submit one (1) original and two (2) copies of your RFA to:
First S San Bernardino
Attn: Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA
330 N. D Street, Sth Floor
San Bernardino, CA 9241S
Please direct all questions concerning the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA in
writing to Mary Alvarez at malvarez@cfc.sbcountv.qov.
Review and Decision Making Process
4
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
First 5 San Bernardino will exercise due diligence when reviewing RFAs. RFAs will be reviewed
by a panel of Commission Staff and Community Members based on the following criteria
including, but not limited to: link to the First 5 San Bernardino Strategic Plan; community needs
being addressed; community resources being used; and outreach to diverse community
members.
RFAs that meet the criteria will be forwarded to the Commission Executive Director for award
recommendation and final approval. RFAs forwarded to the Executive Director are not
guaranteed awards. Applicants will be notified in writing whether their request was awarded or
not. Award recipients will also be listed on our website. All awarded applicants will be required
to adhere to the Commission's reporting requirements through this RFA process.
Aplleals
The Commission reserves the right to reject any and all RFAs and to waive informalities or
irregularities. The Commission is the sole and final authority regarding the approval or
disapproval of RFAs and the conditions under which they are awarded.
In response to a denied award, applicants may protest, provided the appeal is in writing, is
delivered to the address listed, and submitted within five (5) business days of the date on the
notification of a denied award. Grounds for an appeal are that the Commission failed to follow
the selection procedures and adhere to requirements specified in the RFA and Guidelines Packet
and any addenda or amendments; there has been a violation of conflict of interest provided by
California Government Code Section 87100 et seq.; or violation of State or Federal law. Appeals
will not be accepted on any other grounds. Only an agency that has submitted a RFA in
compliance with the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA and Guidelines Packet may
present a protest to the Commission in order to initiate mediation. An appeal submitted by any
other parties or individuals, including potential subcontractors, employees or unrelated entities,
will not be considered and shall be automatically rejected.
In the event of an appeal, a panel designated by the Commission will handle all appeals. The
Commission will consider only those specific issues addressed in the written appeal. A written
response will be directed to the protesting applicant advising of the decision with regard to the
protest and the basis for the decision. The decision of the Commission will be final.
The appeal must include the following: 1) reference to the Emerging Needs 2009 Investment
Initiative RFA Appeal; 2) basis of appeal which must directly relate to at least one (1) of the
three (3) previously' mentioned reasons; 3) supporting documentation and statements
(optional); and 4) name, position, address, telephone, facsimile numbers, and email for
agency point of contact for the appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing, received by
the end of business day, within five (5) business days following the receipt of a notice for a
denied RFA to:
First 5 San Bernardino
ATTN: Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA (APPEALS)
330 North D Street, 5th Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0442
5
~~!!!!!I~
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative
Request for Application Cover Sheet
Applicant Information
Name of Group
or Organization:
Office of the Mayor, City of San Bernardino
Contact Person:
Julie Frazier-Mathews
Executive Assistant to the
Title: Mayor/Education Policy & Initiatives
Address:
300 North D Street, Mayor's Office, 6th Floor
Zip: 92418
City:
San Bernardino
State: California
E-mail: FrazieUu@sbcity.org
Phone: 909-384-5133
Fax: 909-384-5067
Name of Project:
Promise of Preschool Quality Improvement System
Total Amount Requested from First 5 San Bernardino: $24,980
Organization's Current Fiscal Year Operating Budget: $1,024,900
Type of Group or Organization: (check one)
D Non-Profit Organization D Faith-Based Organization
[8J Government Entity
D School District D State Preschool
D Other (please describe):
Prolect Details
Please provide a brief summary of what you are requesting:
On behalf of the Mayor's Promise of Preschool Initiative, we are requesting funds to help support the
development of a quality rating and improvement system for early care and education in the City of San
Bernardino. Specifically, we are requesting funds to support a I-day training event for up to 100 center
directors and teachers in early care and education programs serving preschool-age children in the city.
The training will be provided in conjunction with a community forum to be hosted in June 2009 in the
city. Funds are also requested to purchase materials associated with the training, and to provide small,
one-time grants to help' programs improve areas known to be barriers to successful scores on the Early
Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS). It should be noted that while this training is of an
introductory nature, it will be followed by workshops to guide providers in how to conduct a self-
assessment. Ultimately, our aim is to create a pool of local assessors who would be able to conduct
assessments not only in the City but, eventually, countywide.
Please indicate the Strategic Results Area of the Commission's Strategic Plan that your project will
address:
D Create strong families to improve family functioning,
[8J Improve child development so children are ready for school,
D Improve children's health, or
D Improve systems for families so services are integrated, accessible, culturally-appropriate and
of high quality.
6
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
Have you previously received funding from First 5 San Bernardino?
o No
[8J Yes (please list all date(s) funded, project name, and amount funded) Sept 2008, Read for the Record,
First 5 generously donated 700 books "Cordurov" to encouraae readlna to oreschoolers.
Emerging Needs Request for Application Narrative
Please complete the following questions, limiting the responses to a maximum of 3
pages.
1. Please describe your project and how it will benefit children ages 0-5 and their families in your
community. Be sure to include who you are targeting, and the estimated number of individuals
that will be impacted by the project.
The goal of this proposal is to obtain support for training on the Early Childhood Environmental
Rating Scale (ECERS) for early care and education providers serving more than 2,500 preschool
age children in the city of San Bernardino. This project is the first step in a longer range plan to
establish a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) to improve preschool program quality
citywide. The establishment of the QRIS is one of the central recommendations that has
emerged from the Mayor's Promise of Preschool Initiative Workgroup, composed of a broad
spectrum of early care and education providers as well as administrators and advocates.
The overall purpose of the QRIS will be to:
. Assess the quality of existing early care and education programs in the city;
. Provide technical assistance and support to help programs improve; and
. Provide an objective rating to:
o Guide families in the selection of their early care and education program;
o Assist potential funders, such as Head Start, in selecting private programs to
participate as subcontractors.
Longer-term goals include positioning the city - and eventually the county - in establishing a
tiered reimbursement system aligned with that required to be recommended by SB 1629, and
expected to be similar to that already in place in the Los Angeles Universal Preschool Program
(LAUP) and in the First S California-supported Power of Preschool Programs. Under these
systems, programs achieving higher ratings on independently administered, standardized
program quality assessments receive higher public reimbursements than programs with lesser
ratings. The ratings also provide a basis to help guide private funders on where program
improvements are most needed, and where their grants would make the greatest impact.
Currently, according to a needs assessment conducted by American Institutes for Research, there
are approximately 66 public and private programs serving three-and four-year-old programs in
the city, including 26 State Preschool and 8 Head Start sites, and 32 Title 5 Generai Child Care or
privately administered centers. While the publicly administered programs are monitored based
on their compliance with Title 5 or federal Head Start Performance Standards, the private
programs are required only to meet Title 22 licensing requirements, and licensing inspections are
infrequent. Some of the private programs have vacancies, and might be candidates for funding
as subcontractors for Head Start or for Alternative Payment program funds under the federal
stimulus expansion of the Child Care and Development Block Grant or Head Start. But little is
known about the program quality of these private programs, or the extent to which they have
the staffing, facilities, materials, and curriculum that would best help children to enter school
ready to learn. Thus, providing ECERS training focused on the private centers and Title 5
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First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
programs would benefit more than 900 4-year-olds annually, as well as many younger children
enrolled in these programs. In addition, the training would be open to directors and staff in the
publicly operated programs, which serve an additional 1,667 4-year-olds as well as additional 3-
year-olds.
With the help of this grant, we therefore propose to begin the process of developing a system to
assess the quality of the programs, with a special focus on the privately administered programs
serving preschool age children within the city. The first step is to provide a one-day training on
the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale to up to 100 participants, including directors and
teachers, from the 66 centers in the city. Dr. Thelma Harms from the Frank Porter Graham Child
Development Institute at the University of North Carolina will conduct the training on June 30.
This overview will include training on how to prepare for an ECERS assessment, and it will be
followed by workshops on how to do a self-assessment using the ECERS scales.
Our longer term goal, beyond the scope of this grant proposal, is to create a pool of iocal
assessors who will be available to conduct ongoing ECERS assessments and provide technical
assistance for quality improvement in the city of San Bernardino, and eventually throughout the
county. When ratings influence funding decisions or family seiection of programs, it is important
that the ratings be conducted by a trained group of assessors with inter-rater reliability and no
conflict of interest. To create the pool of local assessors, we will attempt, through separate
funding sources, to access ECERS reliability training for up to 12 participants. This training may
be available in the fall in southern California. First 5 California is supporting ECERS reliability
training for participants in the Power of Preschool Program in the fall. While San Bernardino is
not one of the participating counties, it is possible that, if not all of the training slots are filled,
participation will be opened to non-PoP participants. The week-long training includes supervised
visits to child care programs to conduct pilot assessments, and the outcome of the training is the
receipt of certification as a valid ECERS assessor. Training participants will include, but not be
limited to, representatives from the San Bernardino County Office of Education, Cal State San
Bernardino, and Valley Community College.
2. How did your group or organization come up with the idea for this project7 What needs are you
addressing? What local resources are you using?
As described above, the Mayor's Promise of Preschool Workgroup developed the idea for
establishing a Quality Improvement and Rating System. The Workgroup identified the need for
an objective way to assess program quality in order to help providers know what improvements
are needed. In addition, the Workgroup thinks independent program quality assessments would
facilitate contracting of public funds, such as Head Start expansion funds, with privately
administered programs. The County Office of Education would like to have an objective rating to
help families select early care and education programs. Finally, the Workgroup would like to
prepare the City of San Bernardino to be aligned with the policies emerging from a state-level
Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee. This Committee, by January
2011, is charged with developing a policy and implementation plan for improving outcomes that
builds on research, state and federal policies and resources, and the work of California counties
and other states.
The Mayor's Promise of Preschool Workgroup would like to begin the development of the QRIS in
San Bernardino by introducing the ECERS assessment to all interested center directors and their
staff in the city. Dr. Harms, the lead author of the ECERS and nationally recognized training, will
provide a one-day overview of the ECERS. Subsequently, we will seek separate funds to create a
pool of trained local ECERS assessors. This same group of local assessors could be well
positioned to expand its repertoire of assessment skills to include other tools, such as the
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), an observation instrument developed to assess
classroom quality in preschool through upper-grade classrooms, if such tools emerge as part of
the state-level QRIS recommendations.
8
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
As indicated above, we are building on local resources by making the training available to local
child care center directors and their staff. Staff in the CaE already had some initial training in
the use of the Family Day Care Environmental Rating Scale, and Cal State San Bernardino is well
positioned to serve as an ECERS assessor, as are faculty at Valley College. Private providers who
are members of the Mayor's Promise of Preschool Workgroup have expressed interest in learning
how to conduct self-assessments and will later volunteer to have their sites serve as initial sites
for formal assessments. Also, we will seek additional funds from private foundations to help
support the preschool community forum described above.
3. Please describe your group or organization as well as any other relevant community members or
organizations that are involved in this project.
Participants in the Mayor's Promise of Preschool Workgroup include the San Bernardino City
Unified School District (SBCUSD), the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Head
Start, family child care providers of the Inland Empire Family Child Care Association, private and
faith-based center providers, the County Office of Education, the Children's Center at Cal State
University San Bernardino (CSUSB), San Bernardino Valley College, Easter Seals, and Reach Out
West End.
4. What do you hope to accomplish with this project and how will you know if the project has been
successful' Please identify at least one result you hope to see.
As stated above, we hope to provide a an overview of ECERS assessments to up to 100 center
directors and staff of the 66 centers serving preschool children in the city of San Bernardino.
This will be followed by workshops in how to conduct a self-assessment, and by the opportunity
for up to 12 people to participate in reliability training in ECERS. The project will be successful if
it succeeds in interesting private centers in conducting self-assessments and in becoming
candidates for formal assessments. This project is the first step in a longer range plan to
improve program quality citywide.
IF APPLICABLE:
5. If a curriculum, model, or methodology is proposed explain the research and rationale used in
identifying the curriculum, model or methodology. Explain how it will be utilized and how
teachers and/or staff will be supported and trained to use the curriculum, model, etc.
The Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale - Revised Edition (ECERS-R) is a nationally
recognized instrument developed by Thelma Harms, Richard Clifford, and Debby Cryer at the
Frank Porter Graham Institute at the University of North Carolina. The ECERS is designed for use
in classrooms serving children 2 '/2 through 5 years of age. Numerous research projects in the
U.s. and abroad have used the ECERS to assess global quality and have discovered significant
relationships between ECERS scores and child outcome measures, teacher characteristics, and
teacher behaviors. The State of California requires that Title 5 providers conduct self-
assessments using the ECERS, and First 5 California requires that its Power of Preschool
Programs have independent ECERS assessments. The ECERS assessment is a primary component
of the QRIS system in 18 other states. The established reliability and validity of the tool make it
particularly useful for research and program evaluation.
9
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Program Budget Narrative Fiscal Year 2008-2009
Important! Please be sure to attach this to the detailed budget from this applicatk:m that corresponds
to this justification
PERSONNEL
Position Title: None Applicable, personnel time will be donated staff time.
Description of duties/responsibilities:
Project Hours: x Hourly Rate: = Total Project Costs:
Thru Other Sources: First 5 Budget Total:
Benefits:
Description of benefits
Calculation of benefits = $
First 5 Budget Total = $
Thru other sources = $
Total Salaries & Benefits:
Total Project Costs: $
Thru Other Sources: $
First S Total Budget: $
--------~-_.__._-+., --'---'- .--.-.-...-.,-.--.,.-.---.-.-.-.--.-.--,
SUPPLIES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Books for training
Food for training
Binders for training
Events Center Facility rental, set up & audio visual
Brochures to publicize training
$10,400
$ 3,852
$ 1,400
$ 870
$ 100
Explanation/Justification here
Total Project = $24,980
First 5 Budget Total = $24,980
Thru other sources = $0
Total Supplies:
Total Project Costs for Supplies: $16,622
Thru Other Sources: $0
First S Total Budget: $24,980
.._.~.._---------------_._- ..~--,,--~_.-._._-,. -----_..._-- --. --
10
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
CONTRACTORS
1. Dr. Thelma Harms
Explanation/ Justification here
Consultation fee (2 days/prep & presentation)
Airfare & Ground Transportation
Hotel
Meals ($40 day with receipts)
$7,188
$ 850
$ 200
$ 120
Total Project = $24,980
First 5 Budget Total = $24,980
Thru other sources = $0
Total for Contractors:
Total Project Costs for Contractor: $8,358
Thru Other 5ources: $0
First 5 Total Budget: $24,980
Total Project Budget:
5ubtotal:
5upplies
Contractor
Total Project Costs:
Thru Other 5ources:
First 5 Total Budget:
$16,622
$8,358
$24,980
$0
$24,980
'/nclude addiliana/lines if necessary.
11
First 5 San Bernardino Emerging Needs
2009 Investment Initiative RFA
Emerging Needs Request for Application Letter of Authorization
LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION
First 5 San Bernardino
330 North 0 SI. Suite 500
San Bernardino, CA 92415
Subject: Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA Submission
As an authorized officer or agent of City of San Bernardino, who is authorized to sign for and
submit RFAs on behalf of this organization, I hereby certify and affirm under penalty of perjury,
the following statements:
1. The information in the RFA is true and accurate.
2. Julie Frazier-Mathews will provide any requested information and/or documentation
regarding administrative, financial, or legal status as deemed necessary.
3. Julie Frazier-Mathews will permit official representatives of First 5 San Bernardino
access to its facilities, staff, and records in conducting a pre-award survey in connection
with this RFA.
4. Julie Frazier-Mathews hereby authorizes First 5 San Bernardino to contact any
references and/or sources named, herein, in order to verify funding, accreditation,
performance, and other information deemed necessary for review of this RFA.
5. Julie Frazier-Mathews will provide services as described, herein, at the price stipulated,
herein, by June 30, 2009. The price(s) contained herein is/are the same charged to all
other individuals or organizations contracted for and/or receiving the same services. All
material facts presented in this RFA shall be binding and included as part of the contract,
if the RFA is selected and the contract is awarded.
6. All aspects of this RFA, including costs, have been determined independently, without
consultation with any other potential competitor.
7. If selected and awarded a contract, organization will comply with all applicable rules,
laws, and regulations, along with the terms of the contract.
8. The funds being requested in this RFA do not supplant any existing revenue sources. I
further certify that this Emerging Needs 2009 Investment Initiative RFA is submitted with
the full knowledge and endorsement of the governing board of this organization, which is
empowered to enforce compliance with all contract conditions.
/ declare under penalty of perjury that / am an agent authorized to submit RFAs on behalf of the
applying organization.
Julie Frazier-Mathews, Executive
Assistant to the Mayor/Education
Policy & Initiatives
Name/Title of
Authorized Agent
March 26, 2009
Date
12