Title
Report on Recreation and Parks Department Financial Assistance Program
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Re: Report on Recreation and Parks Department Financial Assistance Program
BACKGROUND
At the September 19, 2020 Recreation and Parks Commission meeting, it was requested that staff bring a report on financial assistance in Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) programs. Staff has reviewed the program and appreciates the opportunity to solicit feedback from the Commission on ways to expand and market the financial assistance program as well as making it more accessible to those families and seniors who may need it.
DISCUSSION
ARPD offers financial assistance in a variety of ways, both for youth in summer and after school programs as well as at Mastick Senior Center. Financial assistance for youth takes two forms as described below.
1) ARPD directly provides discounted rates for programs, ranging from 25% to 50% fee reductions. This program generally three to four families each session with more in summer programs. ARPD budgets $2,000 - $3,000 each year and in some years, funding is supplemented by other local organizations and family trusts. However, last year, only $579 was provided in total, in part because of the spring program cancellations and limited summer programming due to COVID-19.
2) ARPD also coordinates with outside agencies that provide childcare financial assistance such as Bananas, 4Cs of Alameda County, Child Care Links and Homeschool Assistance. Families apply directly to these agencies and then register their child with ARPD. Staff works closely with the agency’s case worker to confirm the financial assistance level being provided and reimbursement requirements. For example, Bananas offers different tiers based on family income levels, ranging from 25% - 100% of costs and the family pays the remainder. Approximately two to three children utilize these outside services each session, sometimes more in the summer. The funding is reimbursement based and while ARPD works well with all agencies, occasionally they expend all of their total funds before the session is complete and ARPD ends up funding the net difference that the agency had committed to pay.
There are several challenges that ARPD is working to address and improve the financial assistance program. One is that nearly half the families that directly request assistance do not complete paperwork. Staff is updating the financial assistance forms to make them more user-friendly and reducing the requirements for financial assistance. For example, the form currently lists paperwork required, such as unemployment and previous tax returns. While staff’s practice is to not ask for this documentation, this can feel invasive and overwhelming for people reviewing the form and seeking financial assistance. Staff is changing the form with checkboxes asking if the family receives any organized assistance such as free and reduced lunch program, social security, or CalWORKs. If yes to any one of these, then the family will qualify for financial assistance. Staff is also exploring ways to better market the availability of the financial assistance program. A new process with the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) was implemented this year to serve families impacted by the downturn of the economy due to COVID-19. ARPD staff worked directly with AUSD, the latter of whom identified families at Title 1 schools that were seeking after school care and need financial assistance. We intend to continue this collaborative practice in subsequent years to increase the awareness of the program availability.
ARPD also offers a significant amount of financial assistance at Mastick Senior Center for all of their programs and classes. This program is funded by the Mastick Senior Center Advisory Board from their fundraising programs including Bingo and the Thrift Shop. In FY 2019-20, $15,000 was budgeted and $8,135.00 of financial assistance was provided to serve 219 members. This is less due to the cancellation of spring classes and programs from COVID-19. In 2018, the program served 403 members totaling $14,939 and in 2017, the program served 443 members and spent over $15,000. Financial assistance continues to be offered this year for Mastick virtual and outdoor fitness classes.
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss and provide recommendations on the Recreation and Parks Department Financial Assistance program.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director