HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutionCity of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 08-00406 Final Action Date:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING GOVERNOR
CHARLIE CRISTAND THE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
OPPOSE THE PROPOSED REDUCTIONS IN FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOL
READINESS GRANT PROGRAM TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $30,000,000, IN
GENERAL REVENUE AND FEDERAL FUNDS, RESULTING IN THE ELIMINATION
OF 1400-2200 SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE SLOTS IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
WHICH WOULD FURTHER PLACE UNDERSERVED FAMILIES AT HIGH RISK;
URGING SAID OFFICIALS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES TO HELP
OFFSET THE BUDGET SHORTFALLS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
TRANSMITA COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS AS STATED
HEREIN.
WHEREAS, the Office of Early Learning, within the Agency for Workforce Innovation ("AWI"),
serves as the lead in administering and supporting early learning and child care programs in the State
of Florida ("State"), including the School Readiness Program under Section 411.01, Florida Statutes,
and
WHEREAS, AWI administers the State's early learning programs through grant awards for
services with thirty-one (31) local early learning coalitions that ensure families having access to
high -quality child care programs throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, these services help strengthen the State's families as they allow parents to meet their
goal of achieving economic self-sufficiency and breaks the cycle of poverty, and
WHEREAS, AWI received the School Readiness Program in July,1999, and has not received an
increase since then, and
WHEREAS, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami -Dade County and Monroe County represents
the provision of services to more than 48,000 children and any reduction in funds would impact
children who are at the greatest risk for future school failure, and
WHEREAS, the proposed State General Revenue Budget cuts will affect the State's ability to
draw down federal dollars to support the School Readiness Program totaling a loss of $30 million
dollars for Miami -Dade County, and
WHEREAS, the impact of these cuts will be felt specifically by low income (at or below 150% of
the federal poverty level) families in our community and will prevent the Early Learning Coalition of
Miami -Dade County and their contracted agency, The Department of Human Services Child
Development Services, from serving between 1400-2200 children in Miami -Dade County, and
WHEREAS, the State's economy needs employees for growth and sustainability and parents
need high -quality child care as an essential service in order to maintain employment; and
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File Id: 08-00406 (Version: 1) Printed On: 7/18/2024
File Number: 08-00406
WHEREAS, the Miami -Dade County government services directly touch the lives of children and
families, and
WHEREAS, early child care and education providers in Miami will be faced with a loss of income
in an industry that is dependent upon this grant, and
WHEREAS, these reductions in the funding for child care would be detrimental, inimical and
contrary to maintaining a reasonable quality of life for the children in the City of Miami and the rest of
the State;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted by
reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this section.
Section 2. The Miami City Commission urges Governor Charlie Crist and the members of the
Florida Legislature to oppose the proposed reductions in funding for the School Readiness Grant
Program totaling approximately $30,000,000, in General Revenue and Federal funds, resulting in the
elimination of 1400-2200 subsidized child care slots in Miami -Dade County which would further place
underserved families at high risk.
Section 3. The Miami City Commission further urges said officials to find alternative funding
sources to help offset the budget shortfalls.
Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Governor Charlie
Crist, the President of the Senate Ken Pruitt, the Speaker of the House Marco Rubio and all the
members of the Florida Legislature.
Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of
the Mayor.{1}
Footnotes:
{1} If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten calendar
days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become
effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File Id: 08-00406 (Version: 1) Printed On: 7/18/2024