The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) recommends that the City Council approve an interlocal agreement between the City of Houston and Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) to support youth out-of-school programs and activities. The HCDE's after-school division will manage the program, the Cooperative for After-School Enrichment (CASE), and called CASE for Kids City Connections (the program). If Council approves, this will be the seventh year the program will be implemented with City funding.
Applicants selected for funding must serve children between kindergarten through 12th grade during the hours before school, after school, on weekends, and/or during summer. Projects funded by the program will take place in various locations, including schools, community centers, and churches. Eligible applicants must be a Texas school district or be an IRS-designated 501(c)3 and be formally registered with the Texas Secretary of State as a Not-for-Profit entity for at least one calendar year before August 31, 2021. Program fund recipients must match the total amount of funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The match may be cash or in-kind support from other sources.
Among other responsibilities, HCDE agrees to develop and publish a Request for Proposals (RFP), evaluate and score eligible applicant proposals, coordinate the dispersion of Program funds to selected recipients, conduct evaluations of Program fund recipients' projects, and provide an annual report organized by Council District. HCDE agrees to deliver services within the following time frame:
City Connections Grant Period: October 26, 2021, to April 30, 2022
The contract allows for Additional Community Awards totaling up to $220,000 should District Council Members opt to fund additional awards through their Council District Service Fund budgets.
Program Funding Details:
| Community Awards ($45,000 per Council District) |
$495,000 |
| HCDE CASE Administration Fee |
$55,000 |
| Additional CDSF Community Awards (Up To) |
$ 220,000 |
| Maximum Contract Amount |
$770,000 |
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2022 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.
Director's Signature:
_______________________________
Kenneth Allen, Director
Houston Parks and Recreation Department