The Finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee on Nov. 3 approved an amendment (ordinance 1315‑2025) to add $120,000 in ARPA funds to a childcare scholarship program administered by the nonprofit Starting Point to support 18 households and 25 children identified as especially high‑risk.

The amendment, presented by city staff with Kara Porter of Starting Point in attendance, said the scholarships are intended to cover families who have not been able to enroll in other publicly funded childcare programs and to keep parents working or in school. City presenters said the larger program originally received ARPA funding, and the $120,000 would be directed to the “chronic” group of families with the greatest need.

Why it matters: Council members said the program addresses a direct barrier to employment and argued the city should press state and federal officials for broader, sustainable funding. Committee members also asked for more detailed data — including ward‑level counts of families who applied but were waitlisted — to use in future advocacy and potential council resolutions.

Key details: Staff said the original allocation was roughly $2 million for the scholarship component of the ARPA package (with other ARPA funds used for employee retention). Council questions established that the additional $120,000 would sustain the identified 18 families through the end of the year; staff said no long‑term funding plan was yet established beyond year‑end. Porter said the program prioritized kinship and highest‑risk cases as funds ran low. The director characterized the target families as unlikely to be served through other vouchers because of eligibility rules or timing.

Council response and follow-up: Committee members asked for a ward breakdown of unmet applications and the number of families waitlisted; staff agreed to provide that data on request. Council members asked staff to prepare model language for a resolution urging the state to expand eligibility and for outreach talking points to encourage constituent contacts to state and federal officials.

Ending note: The committee approved the ordinance amendment without recorded opposition. Staff said they would continue coordinating with Starting Point and with county and state partners on eligibility and transition strategies.