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PRCSC - Consideration of a Recommendation to the City Council in Support of the Proposed Scholarship Program to Offset Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Class and Program Enrollment Fees for Eligible Low-Income Individuals.
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Meeting Date: December 3, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Corey Lakin/PRCS-Administration
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (11/26/19); (Email) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (11/26/19)
Department Approval: Corey Lakin, PRCS Director (11/26/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) consider making a recommendation to the City Council in support of the proposed Scholarship Program to offset Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department class and program enrollment fees for eligible low-income individuals.
BACKGROUND
PRCS Department staff has identified a need in the community for a program to assist individuals from low-income households with the fees related to enrollment in the PRCS Department’s classes and programs. Staff has developed this proposed Scholarship Program to see if there is a desire for such Program and to explore potential funding options. To develop the Program staff reviewed the guidelines and applications for scholarship programs offered by the following California cities and one recreation district:
1. Beverly Hills
2. Desert Recreation District (located in the Coachella Valley)
3. Dublin
4. Healdsburg
5. Lathrop
6. Los Alamitos
7. Modesto
8. Oakland
9. Pleasanton
10. San Bruno
11. San Francisco
12. San Mateo
13. San Ramon
14. Santa Monica
15. Santee
16. Walnut Creek
Staff identified and compared the key features of these programs and based the proposed Scholarship Program on this information as it best suited our community, taking into account certain administrative considerations and funding restrictions.
DISCUSSION
Key Features of the Proposed Scholarship Program
The proposed Scholarship Program is outlined in the Proposed Scholarship Program Guidelines and Application (Attachment 1). Some of the key features of the Program include:
Culver City Residents Only - two types of proof of residency are required
Financial Need - as verified by enrollment in one of five public assistance programs
No Age Restrictions - all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply
Co-Pay Required - 50% of class/program fee
Dollar Caps - a maximum of $200 per single person household or $400 per household of two family members or more, per fiscal year.
Other Stipulations:
• only one class or activity per household, per activity guide cycle will be approved
• scholarship funds may not be used for the cost of materials and supplies
• a new application must be submitted for each request
Evidence of Financial Need
Proof of current enrollment in one of the following public assistance programs is required for Scholarship Program eligibility:
General Relief is a Los Angeles County-funded program that provides financial assistance to indigent adults who are ineligible for federal or State programs. An average General Relief case consists of one person, living alone, with no income or resources.
Medi-Cal is a program that offers free or low-cost health coverage for children and adults with limited income and resources. Medi-Cal covers low-income adults, families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, children in foster care and former foster youth up to age 26.
CalWORKs is a public assistance program that provides cash aid and services to eligible families that have a child(ren) in the home. The program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments.
The California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk. To be fully eligible for the WIC Program, applicants must be determined by a health professional, at no cost, to be at nutritional risk (i.e., have certain medical-based or diet-based risk conditions).
The Culver City Unified School District Free and Reduced School Lunch Program serves nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Effective July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines.
Potential Funding Sources for the Scholarship Program
Staff proposes that one funding source for the Scholarship Program would be donations, including donations from service organizations, private citizens and from individuals who participate in the PRCS Department’s activities. For example, some other agencies include a line on their registration forms where participants may elect to donate to the Scholarship Program. These funds would then be set-aside in a dedicated account. In addition, staff is considering requesting funding for the Program during the Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Budget process.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2019-12-03 - ATT 1 Proposed Scholarship Program Guidelines and Application
MOTIONS
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission:
Consider making a recommendation to the City Council in support of the proposed Scholarship Program to offset Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department class and program enrollment fees for eligible low-income individuals.