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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />AGENDA ITEM <br />Department of Community Services/ <br />Human Services <br />Date: April 19, 2024 <br />To: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners <br />Thru: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator <br />Michael C. Zito, Deputy County Administrator <br />Cindy Emerson, Community Services Director <br />From: Megan Kendrick, Human Services Manager <br />Subject: Assumption to Indian River County Grant Contract for the STEP into <br />Kindergarten Children's Program <br />BACKGROUND: <br />On October 1, 2023, the County entered into a grant contract with The Education Foundation of <br />Indian River County to deliver the STEP into Kindergarten (STEP) summer program. The STEP <br />program is an evidence -based model that extends learning to help mitigate the negative effects of <br />the summer slide and promotes a smooth transition to kindergarten for children 4-5 years of age <br />who have completed a Voluntary Pre -Kindergarten (VPK) program. STEP is a bridge program that <br />gives priority to students identified as homeless, migrant, or residing in school zones with the <br />highest rates of poverty. Administered in partnership with the Indian River County School District, <br />STEP is projected to serve 225 students this summer. <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS: <br />Since having executed the contract, The Education Foundation has undergone dissolution of the <br />organization. To ensure the continuity of the positive impact provided by the STEP program for <br />the children of Indian River County, The Learning Alliance was designated as an alternate agency <br />with the expertise and qualifications necessary to serve as the program's fiscal agent. <br />On March 5, 2024, the Children's Services Advisory Committee unanimously approved The <br />Learning Alliance to assume the current grant contract for the STEP into Kindergarten program for <br />fiscal year 2023-2024. <br />FUNDING: <br />There are no changes to the approved funding allocation for the STEP into Kindergarten program, <br />however the allocation will change from being payable to the Education Foundation to The <br />Learning Alliance. <br />RECOMMENDATION: 67 <br />