The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication (M&C) is to authorize the execution of a contract in the amount of $50,000.00 with Fort Worth SPARC, a non-profit corporation, to manage the development, implementation and sustainability of the Strengthening Programs through Advocacy, Resources and Collaboration (SPARC) initiative. Through a four-year $765,000.00 grant in 2012 between the City and The Wallace Foundation, SPARC was created as a sustainable city-wide initiative to ensure high quality, accessible, year-round out-of-school time programs. The Wallace Foundation grant set the goals of the SPARC initiative, which include: (1) understanding the needs of the community by compiling new and better data, particularly in the geographic areas of greatest needs; (2) improving and advancing out-of-school time program quality through the establishment of standards and assessments; and (3) developing strategies to improve program sustainability and structure by, among other things, the establishment of a non-profit organization to serve as the coordinating entity for the SPARC initiative.
On August 9, 2016, City Council approved M&C C-27862 which authorized entering into an Agreement, City Secretary Contract (CSC No. 48392) for the transition of the operation of the SPARC initiative to Fort Worth SPARC. Remaining funds from the grant were also transferred to Fort Worth SPARC. On January 24, 2017, City Council approved M&C G-18928 (CSC No. 43490) which extended the grant to September 30, 2017. Fort Worth SPARC was organized to serve as the coordinating entity of the SPARC initiative. It's purpose is to strengthen afterschool programs through advocacy, resources and collaboration with individuals, businesses, and governmental stakeholders by providing quality afterschool education programs that promote intellectual, creative, and healthy development in the Fort Worth and Tarrant County area. As the coordinating entity, Fort Worth SPARC will be responsible for managing the SPARC initiative's development, implementation and sustainability. The FY2017 budget allocated $50,000.00 as an approved improvement package to provide additional startup costs. The term of the contract will be for one year only and will be available for expenses the program incurs in FY 2018. The contract with SPARC will provide a benefit to the public by improving learning and enrichment opportunities for children throughout the City of Fort Worth, particularly those living in distressed areas. Proper controls will be in place to ensure SPARC carries out the beneficial public purposes including monthly reporting requirements, program status reports, annual narratives, and auditing rights. Fort Worth SPARC serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS. |
