Agenda - 04-15-2008-6c - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 200% federal poverty level. This is the same guideline used for DSS childcare subsidy. Since more federal and state funds were received by DSS this year, some of the County funds designated for childcare could be utilized this year to pay for camp. An amount up to $10,000 from DSS's Fiscal Year 2007-2008 budget could be utilized for this purpose. As in past years, other funds such as donations received through the "Send A Kid to Camp" would be used to send foster children to camp. Last summer, the "Sun Fun" camp program cost Parks and Recreation $40,692 in total direct expenditures; this amount does not include indirect costs such as administrative and oversight costs associated with running the program. Revenue generated from fees for the summer camp program totaled $37,053. The County's camp program provided approximately 80 camper slots per week over aseven-week period. Some campers were one-time participants while others attended multiple weeks. The weekly cost to the campers ($80) was reduced by up to half by Parks and Recreation for 223 of these campers, in addition to the 53 camperships granted by DSS. Although Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents were not precluded from benefiting from the summer programs, most of the participants came from the unincorporated areas of the County The $10,000 from DSS would be principally used to partially offset higher costs associated with alternative camps and, as in the past, would be allocated on a sliding scale basis. To address the loss of the low-cost Parks and Recreation program, the monies proposed would be used for the Cooperative Extension 4-H summer day camp program and the SportsPlex and Orange County Schools summer day camps programs. The Orange County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp cost was $80; cost. for the summer 4-H (Summer Sizzle) is $100; SportsPlex Summer Camp costs $185 and the Orange County Schools camp program costs $100. The recommended funds would be provided on a first come basis, to those individuals meeting DSS guidelines. The Planning Department has reviewed, at the request of the BOCC, any summer camps that are in violation of County zoning ordinances. At this time, only Spence's' Farm has been identified and that issue is currently scheduled for discussion with the Board of Adjustment at its April 14, 2008 meeting. It is important to note that this proposal addresses the summer day camp scholarship/ campership questions for the current fiscal year. Funding solutions beyond the current fiscal year will need to be addressed in the upcoming 2008-09-budget process. FINANCIAL IMPACT: This proposal would require the designation of $10,000 from the Department of Social Service Childcare Program to support an Orange County scholarship/campership program to support participants' attendance at the three summer day camp programs noted above. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board review this proposal, provide feedback to staff that can be shared ~ with the Social Services Board and RPAC, and direct staff to bring the item back to the BOCC's May 1, 2008 regular meeting for a Board decision.