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Council work session reviews designation of Children's Opportunity Alliance as county's early care coordinating entity
Summary
A joint committee reviewed the three-year designation requirements for Montgomery County's early care and education coordinating entity and asked staff to request an OLO evaluation and return with metrics; the panel noted COA largely meets statutory requirements but has governance and attendance issues.
The Montgomery County Council's joint Education, Culture and Health & Human Services Committee on July 23 reviewed options for designating the Montgomery County Children's Opportunity Alliance (COA) as the county's early care and education coordinating entity and asked staff to develop clearer evaluation metrics. Nicole Rodriguez Hernandez, council staff, told the committee the ordinance passed in 2022 required periodic redesignation and that COA's current designation runs through 07/11/2025.
"On 07/12/2022, the council approved by resolution and designated the Montgomery County Children's Opportunity Alliance as the county's coordinating entity until 07/11/2025," Rodriguez Hernandez said, summarizing the statutory baseline and the staff report. Council staff recommended requesting an Office of Legislative Oversight report to develop metrics to assess any designee and to inform statutory changes tied to expedited Bill 23-25.
COA executive director Kimberly Resnick outlined compliance steps COA has taken: adopting articles of incorporation, bylaws, a racial equity and social justice policy, and producing annual fiscal reports. Resnick said COA has created subcommittees and has been working with equity coaches to address board dynamics. She acknowledged vacancies and turnover: "On average, we have between 12 and 15 people who are there when we have meetings," she told the committee.
Councilmembers pressing for clarity asked staff to return with options, including re-designation, temporary extension through 12/31/2025 (to align with pending legislation), or issuing an RFP for a new nonprofit. The committee did not take a vote and directed staff to produce further analysis and recommendations at a follow-up work session.
