1 School Readiness Grants First 5 San Joaquin Presented to the Lodi Unified School District Board of Education September 2, 2008

2 Executive Summary The First 5 San Joaquin Grants in Lodi Unified School District provide School Readiness and Preschool services for pre-K children:  The School Readiness and Preschool services are provided at four school sites with large socio- economically disadvantaged student populations  The grant funding supports a position for an Assistant Director to maintain the integrity and the numerous components of the First 5 School Readiness and Preschool Grants  The Board of Education is requested to review the grant funding and approve the Assistant Director, School Readiness position

3 Our First 5 Program Goals  To ensure that all students have the opportunity to enter school with a foundation rich in language so that they are ready to learn.

4 First 5 Program Goals (cont.)  To expand our early childhood services beyond preschool with the development of a School Readiness Program

5 First 5 Program Goals (cont.)  To increase the number of partnerships that the district has with community based organizations and city and county agencies

6 Focus of our First 5 Programs Adult/children literacy programs Medical and Social Services including both health and insurance screenings Home Visits Parent Education Outreach to local child care providers Preschool

7 Serving Students in Two Ways: 1. Innovative Preschools HUGS – “Helping Us Grow Successfully” Seven preschool classes on four campuses Beckman (2) Creekside (1) Parklane (2) Washington (2)

8 Serving Students in Two Ways: 2. Development of an entire School Readiness Program for children ages 0 -5 and their parents Parents as Teachers Program to over 140 families Reading Readiness Programs: Rock, Roll & Read and Raising a Reader for nearly 500 families Kindergarten Transition Programs available to all elementary sites Professional Development Opportunities for Child Care Providers Health Services and connection to many community services for over 300 children and their families

9 Proposal: Assistant Director, First 5 School Readiness and Preschool Programs Proposal: Increase administrative time by adding a new Assistant Director of First 5 School Readiness Preschool Programs (paid by grant award) Goal: To effectively manage both the School Readiness and Preschool components of the First 5 Grant

10 New Position Proposal: Assistant Director, First 5 School Readiness and Preschool Programs  Oversees a grant program of $4,767,528 - With numerous program, fiscal, and reporting requirements.  Ensures the integrity of innovative, literacy-based preschool programs  Develops optimum School Readiness services that provide preparation to hundreds of children and families  Implements plans to continue to expand programs and services in these areas over the next few years

11 New Position Proposal ( continued )  Job requires interaction with administrators in other school districts, several community based organizations, city agencies, First 5 Children & Families Commission, and the San Joaquin Board of Supervisor  Scope of work and level of responsibilities for the management of the School Readiness Program are in line with that of a management position  First 5 Grants require many reports, budgeting, meetings, and compliance in order to maintain solid grant status and avoid fiscal penalties

12 First 5 Grant Budget Details -  A Snapshot Picture….

13 LUSD’s First 5 Grants  Lodi HUGS Block Grant $3,914,493 2 year renewable contract through 2009  HUGS School Readiness $ 853,035 3 year contract through 2010  Total Grant Awards-- $4,767,528

14 Projected Budget Details – Personnel – One Year View Note: (1) Block Grant is a two year grant. ; (2) School Readiness is a three year grant.

15 Operating Budget Details, One Year View Note: (1) Block Grant is a two year grant. ; (2) School Readiness is a three year grant.

16 Recommendation  Lodi Unified School District hire an Assistant Director of the First 5 School Readiness and Preschool Programs, who is funded through the First 5 grants and for the duration of the First 5 Grants.