Title
Resolution authorizing the acceptance of $120,000 in grant funding from the County of San Mateo for the Big Lift Little Steps Preschool at the Gene Mullin Community Learning Center.
Body
WHEREAS, the Big Lift initiative, a collaborative launched by the County of San Mateo, the San Mateo County Office of Education, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, aims to help San Mateo County students achieve reading proficiency by the end of third grade; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation has been the recipient of Big Lift grant funds since Fiscal Year 2014-15, using these funds to open the Little Steps Preschool at the Gene Mullin Community Learning Center in April 2016; and
WHEREAS, these grant funds will be utilized to support operation of the Little Steps Preschool and advance school readiness, literacy development, parent engagement, and preschool quality improvement activities as permitted by the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026-27, the Big Lift maintained a base allocation for participating preschool programs while adjusting per-enrollment funding based on enrollment and licensed capacity, resulting in a grant award of $120,000 for the Little Steps Preschool; and
WHEREAS, receipt of these grant funds enables the Parks and Recreation Department to continue offering up to 10 subsidized preschool spaces at the Little Steps Preschool to income-eligible households pursuant to California Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income ceilings, with eligible families assessed tuition on a sliding scale based on family size and household income and not to exceed the City’s adopted preschool fee; and
WHEREAS, acceptance of these funds does not commit the City to ongoing funding after the close of the grant cycle; and
WHEREAS, through the Big Lift initiative, the City will continue to work collaboratively with partner agencies to enhance the quality of preschool programs and support kindergarten readiness throughout San Mateo County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco hereby authorizes the acceptance of $120,000 in grant funding from the County of San Mateo for the Big Lift Little Steps Preschool at the Gene Mullin Community Learning Center.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager or authorized designee to execute the agreement between the County of San Mateo and City of South San Francisco, attached hereto as Exhibit A, and other documents necessary to accept the grant funding and take any other actions necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution on behalf of the City Council, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
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