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Child development program faces enrollment squeeze after state 'held-harmless' ends
Summary
Staff said the state removed a COVID-era 'held harmless' clause; to receive full contract funding the city must now meet 95% enrollment, roughly equal to enrolling about 400 children. Staff described outreach, a Los Lomas pilot classroom and concerns about liability for younger children.
Department staff warned commissioners that a recent state policy change removes the COVID-era 'held harmless' provision and requires programs to meet enrollment thresholds to receive full contract payments.
"We have to earn our contract, and that's at 95% to get the full contract," the presenter said, adding that the city now needs to enroll close to 400 children to reach that threshold. Staff described outreach plans, partnerships with local schools and a proposed pilot at Los Lomas Elementary (one classroom of 24 children) but also flagged risks: transitional kindergarten at schools reduced the supply of 4-year-old children, and serving younger children (as young as 2) increases liability and staffing complexity.
Commissioners asked about eligibility, inclusivity for children on the autism spectrum and whether state lawmakers could amend the funding rules; staff said they had not yet sought legislative relief but would note the issue for follow-up.
