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ARF- 2620

Regular Agenda Item 4. P.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	06/24/2014
Submitted For:	Jacque Griffin
Submitted By:	Jacque Griffin, Asst. County Manager/Librarian, Asst County Manager/Library District
Department:	Deputy County Mgr/Library District	Division:	Library District
Fiscal Year:	2014-2015	Budgeted?:	Yes
Contract Dates Begin & End:	July 1, 2014 -June 30, 2015	Grant?:	Yes
Matching Requirement?:	No	Fund?:	Replacement

Information

Request/Subject

First Things First Grant Renewal GRA-004-14-0616-01-Y2 Gila Early Literacy Grant.

Background Information

On April 1, 2014, the Gila County Library Board of Directors gave authorization to apply for this Grant Renewal. This is a continuation of the Library District's early literacy initiative. The total grant renewal award is for $85,000 to be used for parent education within each community and to enroll children ages birth to five in the Imagination Library Program, which mails an age appropriate book each month to each enrolled child. In addition, children who turn five during the grant year, will be registered to receive an age appropriate magazine mailed to their home for one year. This grant also provides for temporary part time Community Outreach Liaison's to provide parent contact and education throughout the service area.

Evaluation

The current Early Literacy Grant from "First Things First" has been highly successful in providing curriculum materials and educational training to the library and the community on the importance of early literacy skills and the importance of reading to children. The Community Outreach Liaisons have worked throughout the region to contact parents and provide information and enroll children in the program. To date, there are 1,644 children enrolled and receiving books monthly in the Gila Region service area. The libraries in the Gila Region have held 135 Early Literacy themed workshops and programs in the first three quarters of the current fiscal year.

Conclusion

This grant allows the Library District the opportunity and ability to provide early literacy training and materials to families and children ages birth through five years within the Gila Region Service area. This grant has a goal of providing materials to 1,800 children.

Recommendation

Gila County Library District recommends that the Board of Directors approve and accept this Grant Renewal between the Gila County Library District and the Gila Regional Partnership Council, and the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board (First Things First) in the amount of $85,000 for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to approve and accept Grant Renewal Amendment GRA-RC004-14-0616-01-Y2 Gila Parent Outreach and Awareness which is a "Community-Based Literacy Grant" in the amount of $85,000 for the period July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015. (Jacque Griffin) (Motion to adjourn as the Gila County Library District Board of Directors and re-convene as the Gila County Board of Supervisors)

Attachments
Renewal Gila Early Literacy
County Attorney Legal Explanation
Original Grant GRA-RC04-0610-01
Grant Application GRA-RC04-14-0616-01