Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to execute a grant agreement between Broward County and The School Board of Broward County, Florida, from January 29, 2019, to December 31, 2019, in the amount of $100,000 in non-recurring County funds for the creation of a Site Administrator position at the Gulfstream Early Learning Center, subject to approval of the same by the Office of the County Attorney; authorizing the County Administrator to execute amendments to the agreement that do not increase the funding amount, subject to approval of the same by the Office of the County Attorney; and authorizing the County Administrator to take all administrative and budgetary actions to implement the grant agreement. (Commissioner Furr)

ACTION:  (T-5:16 PM)  Approved.  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)  (See Yellow-Sheeted Additional Material, dated January 29, 2019, submitted at the request of Commissioner Furr.)

VOTE:  9-0.  Dr. Sharief voted in the affirmative telephonically.  

Board approval is required for agreements with external agencies.

Supports the creation of a Site Administrator position at the Gulfstream Early Learning Center.

The Gulfstream Early Learning Center in Hallandale Beach (“Center”) is an arm of The Broward School Board, which has previously received funds from the County. The Center is a hub for early childhood education, community services, and support. The Center provides high-quality Head Start and VPK early care and education while engaging in intergenerational, community-focused, family strengthening services, and professional learning opportunities for early childhood stakeholders throughout the Broward County community.
 
Research and experts agree: high quality early childhood education is essential for healthy brain development. The ages between 1 and 6 are fundamental times in a child’s cognitive and emotional development, which means that providing the highest quality care and education is essential to promoting a healthy future for Broward. Children who receive high quality early childhood education are more likely to graduate and attend college. The Center not only provides these essential educational opportunities but also, through its embedded early childhood educator training and programming, helps to create new educators who can utilize these skills to increase the quality of early childhood education throughout Broward County.

This item would provide grant funding for the position of a Site Administrator at the Gulfstream Early Learning Center, administered by The School Board of Broward County. The grant total for this position would be $100,000. The position would be responsible for oversight of programs at the Center, including professional development, family outreach, and community partnerships.