TranslateMemo for fiscal year 2018, updated 2017-04-11
[Archived] Question #43: Assuming the City wanted to maximize utilization of available space for VPI, how many additional children could be served?
Question:
- The answer to Question 11 included the language "This means that in FY 2016, Alexandria had an allocation of $1,581,000 and was only able to draw down $1,188,000 because of the lack of a local match and space." What was our experience in FY 2017?
- Assuming the City wanted to maximize utilization of available space for VPI, how many additional children could be served? What local match would be required to serve those children? How much additional state allocation would become available at that level?
- Can you also provide a breakdown as to how last year's EC contingent allocation (attached memo) was actually utilized (VPI vs. Fee Subsidy)?
Response:
- In FY 2017 the state allocation for VPI for Alexandria was $1,816,062, with a potential of 593 slots. Alexandria drew down $1,218,875 serving 398 children, again because of a lack of space and money for the local match.
- Currently, there is capacity for 6 additional children at ALIVE. Additional City funding of $42,000 would be needed to utilize these spots. Additionally, Child and Family Network is looking for additional space for FY 2018 (begins in June 2017) to add 2 additional classrooms to serve 36 children. If this space is secured, City funding of $252,000 would be needed to serve these children, assuming all were VPI eligible. If the City wanted to use all state-allocated VPI slots, 195 additional children could be served (which is inclusive of the 42 children above). This would require a local match of approximately $1,365,000 (additional City cost is $7,000 per child annually X 195 children), and 11 additional classrooms would be needed. ACPS would then receive an additional $597,187 drawdown from the state (195 children X $3,062). However, to serve more children, additional space would need to be identified and secured.
- The FY 2017 additional allocation for early childhood was $309,969. This made it possible to serve an additional 35 children in 2017; 20 in Scholarships for 4s and 15 in child care subsidy. The $309,969 will be fully expended by the end of the fiscal year.