Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Program Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board preview: city to place $100,000 contracts for after-school programs before Feb. 4 meeting
Summary
Directors reviewed grouped resolutions to fund established after‑school youth providers ages 6–12, explained a legal delay that pushed contract action from December to January, and said staff will provide an annual evaluation report before the end of February.
The Little Rock Board of Directors discussed a package of resolutions that would authorize city contracts that fund after‑school community programs for children ages 6–12 and that will appear on the board’s Feb. 4 agenda.
Board members were told the packet contains separate resolutions for each program (resolutions 1–10), rather than a single omnibus item, to make the number of contracts clearer. Director Doucette said the city increased the award amounts this year to $100,000 per program, up from amounts as low as $60,000 a decade ago, to reflect rising costs. She said most recipients are longstanding providers — including Boys and Girls Club, Life Skills for Youth and Bridge to Success — and that the programs align with the city’s youth master plan.
The city attorney explained a legal issue delayed the contracts, which is why staff is bringing them to the board now instead of in December. Doucette said the resolutions include a provision allowing community programs to be funded for the calendar year (Jan. 1–Dec. 31) and to ratify actions taken to date; she also said the programs are on a reimbursement schedule and may bill for December and January expenses now that the legal issue has been resolved.
Vice Mayor Wyatt and other directors raised concerns about capacity and coverage: Wyatt said one provider reported funding for 60 fewer children than in prior years and noted the city does not have the carryover money it had in past cycles. Director Phillips asked whether the city will repeat its program evaluation; Doucette said staff and the Children, Youth and Families (CYF) Commission reviewed the providers and that the annual report consolidating metrics and program stories is expected before the end of February. Doucette also said the RFP minimum remains 30 students but that higher award amounts are intended to allow providers to serve more children.
No formal vote was recorded in the agenda-review meeting; the funding resolutions are scheduled for the Feb. 4 board meeting. Directors asked staff to ensure providers were notified about timing and the city’s reimbursement process.
Ending: Staff will bring the grouped resolutions for formal consideration at the Feb. 4 meeting and provide the promised annual program report before the end of February.
