Issue Statement:

The City of Oakland Park has been selected to receive funding from the Children’s Services Council of Broward County through the M.O.S.T. Grant, which stands for Maximizing Out of School Time. The M.O.S.T. Grant supports high-quality out-of-school-time programming for children and families, including academic support, enrichment activities, cultural experiences, and tuition assistance for eligible participants.

The grant funding will assist the City in continuing to provide structured, safe, and enriching childcare programming for students, while also helping reduce financial barriers for families in need of assistance. The first-year grant award is $659,797. The grant agreement provides for annual renewals through September 30, 2030, subject to the availability and appropriation of funding and continued compliance with grant requirements.

Recommended Action:

 Staff recommends that the City Commission adopt a resolution authorizing the proper City officials to execute an agreement with the Children’s Services Council of Broward County for acceptance of the M.O.S.T. Grant, and approving the proposed Budget Amendment to recognize the additional funds from CSC for the remainer of this fiscal year.

The City has successfully provided childcare services at Lloyd Estates Elementary School for the past five years, serving youth through comprehensive afterschool programming, as well as Summer, Spring, and Winter Camp services during non-school days. These programs provide a safe, structured, and enriching environment for children and support families by offering reliable out-of-school-time care.

The M.O.S.T. Grant supports economically disadvantaged children attending Broward County Title I public schools. Through this funding, the City will continue to serve families from Lloyd Estates Elementary School, as well as eligible participants enrolled in the City’s childcare programs during non-school days.

The grant allows the City to enhance its childcare services by providing additional educational, cultural, social, and physical enrichment opportunities designed to support the overall development of participating youth. Programming focuses on improving academic achievement, strengthening social skills, encouraging healthy physical activity, and exposing participants to diverse cultural experiences and learning opportunities.

Grant funding also supports the incorporation of certified teachers and qualified instructors into the daily program to provide targeted academic tutoring, homework assistance, and enrichment activities. These services help students strengthen core academic skills, improve classroom performance, and receive additional educational support in a structured afterschool setting. The program also provides youth with engaging enrichment activities that promote creativity, teamwork, leadership development, and positive peer interaction, while continuing to offer families reliable and high-quality childcare services throughout the year.

The program capacity is 140 students in the afterschool care program and 120 students in the Summer, Winter, and Spring Camp programs, allowing the City to serve a substantial number of children and families annually.

The M.O.S.T. Grant operates as an annual contract, with the ability to renew through September 30, 2030, subject to the availability and appropriation of funding and satisfactory program performance. The funding supports families in need of tuition assistance and strengthens academic tutoring, enrichment programming, and holistic youth development services provided through the City’s childcare initiatives.

The Children's Service Council's (CSC) funding for the MOST program is $659,797 for the initial year, as shown below: 

A proposed Budget Amendment is attached in Exhibit A to recognize the additional funds to be provided by CSC for the months of August through September in this current fiscal year in the amount of $77,744.