BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1178
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Date of Hearing: January 23, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1178 (Bocanegra) - As Amended: January 8, 2014
Policy Committee: Education
Vote:4-2
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the California Promise Neighborhood (CPN)
Initiative to develop a system of up to 40 promise neighborhoods
throughout the state with the purpose of supporting a child's
development from cradle to career. Specifically, this bill:
1)Defines CPN as a specific geographic area that represents a
community focused on revitalization through the establishment
of a cradle-to-career network of services aimed at improving
the health, safety, education, and economic development of the
defined area.
2)Requires the State Department of Education (SDE), beginning
July 2015, to develop an application process for eligible
entities to apply for sites to become CPNs. Further
authorizes SDE to designate up to 40 CPNs by January 2017, as
specified.
3)Requires SDE to determine acceptable indicators to illustrate
progress in the outcomes, as specified, such as kindergarten
readiness, pupil proficiency in common core, high school
graduation and school safety.
4)Defines eligible applicant as any of the following: (a) a
non-profit organization (including a faith-based organization
permitted under federal law), (b) a local education agency,
(c) an institution of higher education, and (d) an Indian
tribe or tribal organization in partnership with at least one
public school (including charter school) located within the
identified geographic area.
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5)Requires SDE to work with several state departments and
agencies to identify existing programs and grants for which
designated CPNs would receive bonus points, additional
recognition or weighted consideration when competing for
existing grants.
FISCAL EFFECT
One-time and on-going GF administrative costs, of at least
$500,000, to SDE to implement and coordinate the CPN
Initiative, including establishing a request for proposal
process, coordinating with various state departments and
agencies, and assessing availability of sufficient funds, as
specified. This bill authorizes SDE to use state, federal,
and private funds for this purpose; it is unclear, however, if
this funding will materialize.
SUMMARY CONTINUED
6)Further authorizes SDE to use existing state and federal funds
to implement this chapter and authorizes SDE to apply for and
accept grants, donations, and other public/private financial
support.
7)Requires eligible applicants to partner with community
organizations and submit plans to significantly improve the
academic, health, and social outcomes of children living in
the identified neighborhood, as specified. Requires any
funding received by grantees to be used only on the CPN, and
requires the grantees to report various outcomes to SDE every
three years, as specified.
8)Makes enactment of the bill contingent upon the Superintendent
of Public Instruction (SPI) finding that sufficient funding is
provided through a combination of state, federal or private
funds. Requires the SPI to post these findings on SDEs
website.
9)Sunsets the provisions of the bill on January 1, 2026.
COMMENTS
1)Federal Promise Neighborhood Initiative (PNI) funds . The PNI
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was modeled after the Harlem Children Zone (HCZ) in New York
City. The HCZ is a 24 to nearly 100-block geographic area
that provides career-to-cradle services to children and has
demonstrated significant results in raising the academic
achievement of Harlem children. The stated purpose of the PNI
is to significantly improve the educational and developmental
outcomes of children and youth in the nation's most distressed
communities.
According to the United States Department of Education (USDE),
the initial federal investment in the PNI was $10 million in
2010. In 2011, $30 million was provided for planning and
implementation grants and $60 million was provided in 2012.
Grantees may receive a one-time planning grant of up to
$500,000 and an implementation grant of up to $6 million per
year for three to five years. SDE does not receive any
administrative funds under this federal program because funds
are allocated directly to grantees and administration of this
program is the sole responsibility of USDE.
2)Purpose . Of the 78 California communities that applied for
planning and implementation grants, only eight communities
have received one or both. According to supporters of the
bill, the communities that did not receive a federal grant
continue to work on cross community planning and other stated
goals of the PNI. The identification of up to 40 promise
neighborhoods in California could assist in maximizing
resources, aligning programs and leveraging opportunities.
3)Concerns:
a) The bill establishes a new program through 2026,
allowing the program to run 11 years without legislative
review. The committee may wish to consider a shorter
sunset period of five years rather than 11 years.
b) The bill requires designated Promise Neighborhoods to
report to the SDE every three years, however, there is no
requirement for the report to be reviewed or evaluated.
The committee may wish to consider a requirement for the
SDE to review and evaluate the report.
c) The bill specifies it shall become operative only to the
extent the SPI finds that sufficient funding has been
provided. It is not standard practice for the SPI to
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certify whether state or federal funding is available. The
committee may wish to consider striking this section.
4)Prior legislation . AB 1072 (Fuentes), 2012, established the
California Promise Neighborhoods Initiative in the Office of
Economic Development and required the office to establish 40
promise neighborhoods throughout the state. This bill was
held in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Analysis Prepared by : Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916)
319-2081