Title
Ordinance Amending State, Federal, and Other Grants Fund Budget for the Appropriation of 2020 North Carolina Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 (N.C. House Bill 1105) Remote Learning Centers Grant Fund for Community Recreation Services Remote Learning Centers
Body
Department: Parks and Recreation
Council District: All
Council Priority: Ensure Fiscal Stewardship, Transparency, & Accountability
Public Hearing: N/A
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Nasha McCray, 336-433-7360
Contact 2 and Phone: Kobe Riley, 336-373-3275
PURPOSE:
The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department has received a grant in the amount of $9,595 in reimbursement for staff salary costs related to the planning and opening of remote learning centers for Guilford County students in response to school closings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant has been received from the Young Men’s Christian Association of the Triangle Area, Inc., which was appointed as the fiscal agent for the North Carolina Alliance of YMCAs to develop and administer a grant program to distribute a portion of North Carolina’s Coronavirus Relief Funds to qualifying organizations to facilitate remote learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND:
In response to the COVID 19 pandemic, in May 2020, Greensboro Parks and Recreation planned to ensure that teachers, students and families in our community have access to safe, affordable remote learning support for school-age children that allows students to complete their schooling while engaging in supplementary development activities that support their social-emotional well-being.
Partnering with Black Child Development of Greensboro, Inc., Boys and Girls Club, and Communities in Schools, Greensboro Parks and Recreation opened three remote learning sites, one in September, and two in October. The sites offer programming to children of working families or those seeking employment that includes the following components:
• Quality Academic Environment (quiet room, socially-distanced student work spaces, internet access, adult supervision)
• Recreation/Physical Activity
• Extended Learning Activities (Social Emotional Learning, STEM, Art, Leadership Development, Character Development, etc.)
Adheres to all local, state and federal guidelines for childcare during COVID-19
As of December 18, 2020, 59 unduplicated students accessed services at these remote learning centers. The sites will operate until Guilford County Schools resume in-person learning.
The NC Alliance of YMCAs announced on October 19, 2020, that 116 organizations statewide with 287 remote learning sites were approved for a remote learning site grant made possible by HB 1105, Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0. The law, in part, allocated $19.85 million for community-based organizations (CBOs) across the state to apply for grants for federal COVID-relief funding. Together these organizations will serve about 14,000 students across the state.
BUDGET IMPACT:
No match is required from the City to secure this grant and this program will not impact the Parks and Recreation budget. Parks and Recreation Department will use the $9,595 grant to provide supplemental funding for Youth Services programs.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended that the City Council accept the Remote Learning Centers grant and adopt the attached budget ordinance to establish funding in the amount of $9,595.