Assembly committee forwards $270,000 plan to shore up summer school‑age childcare

Deputy Mayor Smith introduced an ordinance on April 13 directing the manager to award up to $270,000 to the Southeast Childhood Collective to expand summer school‑age childcare and to provide scholarships for low‑income families.

The sponsor said the measure responds to a sharp fall in local summer seats — from about 180 several years ago to roughly 60 last year — and that the funds are intended as startup support to increase capacity at three sites and carry summer capacity into the school year. The ordinance targets school‑age care; the sponsor noted existing city startup grants cover ages 0–5 and the community’s immediate need is older children who lack options in summer.

Blue Scheibler, executive director of the Southeast Childhood Collective, told the committee the current provider is licensed at one site and intends to obtain separate licenses for the other sites. She said staff at licensed sites undergo background checks and that the grant would be structured to require licensure within an agreed timeframe. Scheibler argued school‑age programs generally have a more feasible business model because of higher child‑to‑staff ratios and shorter daily hours, and she described startup grants as an established way to help new or expanded providers reach sustainable enrollment.

Assembly members questioned why the funds were being routed through a nonprofit rather than the city’s community grants and raised procurement and fairness concerns. Mister Brooks and others sought clarity on age groups and licensing; Mister Kelly noted that unlicensed sites are not eligible for state childcare subsidies and emphasized that funding structures should support a path to licensure. City staff explained the contractual relationship would be with a nonprofit that would distribute funds to providers, which staff said satisfies procurement code requirements for eligibility.

Mayor Weldon objected to unanimous consent, citing procedural concerns about how the item was placed on the agenda and worries about preferential treatment for a private operator. Other members, including Miss Wall and Miss Hall, expressed conditional or full support, stressing the urgency of summer needs and the risk of leaving working parents without care.

Mister Steininger moved to forward the ordinance to the full assembly for further consideration. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried with 8 yeas and 1 nay. The ordinance will next be considered at the full assembly, where appropriation details and any conditions on licensing and reporting can be added.