Oklahoma Alliance of YMCAs

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Oklahoma Alliance of YMCAs respectfully requests $29.9 million in State Fiscal Recovery funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act. Funds will support childcare, out-of-school time, and food program infrastructure and be matched by $13 million in local and private funds. This one-time investment will create long-term solutions to challenges facing families across nine counties, increasing the capacity of high-quality childcare programs and the number of USDA nutrition programs. This investment will provide more Oklahomans access to critical services while creating pathways for YMCAs to utilize other subsidized funds, sustaining these efforts beyond recovery funds. Funding will allow YMCAs to increase the capacity of YMCA childcare programs (0-5 years of age) by approximately 38% and the capacity of out-of-school time programs by 89%, ensuring healthy, safe environments and program continuity. Annually, Oklahoma YMCAs serve more than 6,300 kids through out-of-school time and childcare programs and manage 43 meal program sites serving 328,971 meals and snacks to kids in our communities. State Fiscal Recovery Funds will equip YMCAs to continue to provide vital services, serve more kids and families in our communities, and extend our reach beyond the communities we already serve.

EVIDENCE

The National Afterschool Alliance reports that for every Oklahoma child enrolled in an after school program four are on a waiting list. According to the Center for American Progress, 55% of Oklahomans live in a childcare dessert; the problem is worse in rural communities where 68% of residents live in childcare deserts. Oklahoma has some of the highest rates of food insecurity nationwide. More than 1 in 5 Oklahoma kids don?t get enough food; participation rates in meal programs are also extremely low. Currently, Oklahoma ranks last in the nation for participation in the USDA?s Summer Food Service Program.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

An investment in YMCA childcare, out-of-school time, and food program infrastructure will enable YMCAs to expand their capacity to serve kids and families in need. Annually, Oklahoma YMCAs provide more than $4.6 million in financial assistance to ensure our programs are affordable and accessible for all. ARPA funds will be used to support six infrastructure projects at four YMCAs located in rural communities with a population of less than 12,000 helping to meet critical community needs. Since the start of the pandemic food security needs in Oklahoma have increased by 30%; investing in food program infrastructure will support YMCAs in becoming meal program sponsors, which will enable the Y to serve more meals to more kids at our facilities, and to deliver meals and provide programs in community locations, building on successful models where the Y partners with community housing organizations, community action agencies, and public parks to reach communities in highest need.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The YMCA has the fiscal and programmatic experience and staffing to manage all aspects of this project and ensure fidelity to funding requirements. YMCAs will complete monthly reports detailing progress on project timelines and expenditures and will be required to submit detailed reports on program data including, numbers of kids and families served, meals served, financial assistance provided, and community events hosted. The Alliance of YMCAs will use a web-based project management tool to collect project reporting data and manage timelines; individual YMCAs will use internal data-management systems to collect program out-puts.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma