Committee advances $2.28 million Starting Point contract for out-of-school-time programs

Cuyahoga County's Environment & Education Committee voted to move Resolution 20250343 out of committee with a recommendation for passage. The resolution authorizes a sole-source contract with Child Care Resource Center of Cuyahoga County, doing business as Starting Point, for up to $2,282,500 to provide out-of-school-time services for kindergarten through 12th grade in Cuyahoga County.

Kathleen Stewart, deputy director at Family & Children First Council, summarized the program and said Starting Point coordinates 52 agency sites across 34 neighborhoods and that "this past year, we served over 2,400 kids throughout Cuyahoga County." She said the contract is being adjusted to allow a smooth transition back to a school-year contract and that the RFP process is underway with more than 180 responses to date.

Committee members pressed staff on contract dates and budget impacts. Staff explained the current caption reads through Dec. 31, 2027 to allow time for the RFP transition and said an amendment could realign the term to an August 2028 school-year cycle. On budget, staff said the contract reflects reductions including about $100,000 in annual cuts and a larger proposed $200,000 cut in 2027; staff acknowledged that every dollar cut reduces direct service and agreed to return with RFP-based enrollment data for an apples-to-apples comparison in January or mid-February.

The committee voted to forward the resolution and asked staff for a detailed follow-up on children served under the prior and proposed funding levels.