Dear Child Development Contractor:
TERMINATION OF EXTENDED DAY CARE PROGRAM (LATCHKEY)
As you are aware, the recently enacted 2009-10 Budget revision (Budget Bill AB 1X4) eliminated the School Age Community Child Care Services (Latchkey) program, effective August 31, 2009, retaining $5 million in funding for operation during the months of July and August 2009. Trailer Bill language, AB 2X4, was also enacted that removed the statutory authority for the program.
On behalf of Superintendent Jack O’Connell and the California Department of Education (CDE) we would like to thank all of the contractors who have operated Latchkey programs. You have provided a valuable and needed service, and it is regrettable that the current fiscal crisis resulted in this loss.
The 2009-10 Latchkey contracts were executed assuming that funding would be available for a full year. Disappointedly, the CDE must exercise the term of the contract found on the contract face sheet that provides for contract termination. “Funding of this contract is contingent upon appropriation and availability of sufficient funds. This contract may be terminated immediately by the State if funds are not appropriated or available in amounts sufficient to fund the State’s obligations under this contract.”
You will soon receive a 2009-10 Latchkey apportionment, which was calculated and distributed to Latchkey contractors based on the $5 million that was retained in the 2009-10 budget. To determine the amount you will receive, please refer to the enclosed display referencing contract number and apportionment amount. Please note that you will only receive a payment if you have returned your signed contract. As the Latchkey program comes to an end on August 31, 2009, please submit a final Attendance and Fiscal report, CDFS 9516 D or CDFS 9516 H, for services and expenditures from July 1, 2009, through August 31, 2009, no later than September 20, 2009. For those contractors who do not operate any other center-based programs but Latchkey and are participating in the Reserve Program, you are strongly encouraged to use your Reserve Fund to assist in closing the fiscal gap for this program, as your Reserve Fund balance as of the close of this program will be billed.
In order to ensure that children currently served in Latchkey contracts do not lose necessary child development services, it is extremely important that child development contractors work together to implement Education Code (EC) Section 8263 (c), which provides for the continuity of services. This section provides the authority for a contractor to transfer the family’s enrollment to another program for which the family is eligible prior to the date of termination of services. Families of latchkey children should be notified immediately of the elimination of the Latchkey Program and the options available to them.
It is the intent of the Legislature that latchkey children will transfer to the After School Education and Safety (ASES) programs in their communities. However, we understand this presents challenges and will not respond to the needs of all the families currently participating in the Latchkey Program. If there is an ASES program at the school the child attends, please contact the ASES program to arrange priority enrollment once the ASES program reopens for the school year.
The enacted 2009-10 Budget revision also augments Alternative Payment Programs (APP) funding with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds by $15 million. CDE will attempt to direct funds to APP programs to accommodate former latchkey children in their service areas. EC Section 8263 (c) provides that a family may be transferred to any program to which they would be eligible in order to maintain care.
The Child Development Division (CDD) strongly recommends that the APP augmentation funds be utilized to continue services to eligible Latchkey children.
We would expect Latchkey contractors to work with all the CDD contractors in their county to ensure minimal impact to the families that they serve. We also direct Latchkey contractors to work closely with the APP(s) in their county to identify families that will lose care because of the termination of the Latchkey program, and transfer these families to the APP as long as funding is available to serve these families.
If you have any questions, please contact your assigned Fiscal Analyst or Child Development Consultant.
Sincerely,
Original signed by Sharon Taylor
Sharon Taylor, Director
Fiscal & Administrative Services Division
Original signed by Camille Maben
Camille Maben, Director
Child Development Division
Enclosure
ST/CM:ph
1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814