Title
Conduct a public hearing and consider adopting Ordinance No. 3761 relative to the Farmers Branch Youth Programs Standards of Care in compliance with the Texas Human Resource Code, Chapter 42.041(b)(14); and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Since the early 1990's the City of Farmers Branch has operated a full-day summer camp program titled Summer Funshine Program (SFP). SFP is held at the Community Recreation Center beginning the day after school is out for summer until the day before school resumes in the fall. Approximately 325 children are registered for the program annually. Additionally, the City operates a full-day program titled Holiday Craze Program (HCP) during school breaks including Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks. Enrollment for HCP varies but up to 100 children are accepted during each session. Activities for SFP and HCP include athletics, art, reading, field trips, swimming (SFP), and weekly themed activities to name a few.
In 1994, State law required that all city youth programs be licensed and registered as day care programs. During the 1995 legislative session, State Legislators enacted Senate Bill 212, exempting municipal youth recreation programs from child care licensing requirements. The Senate Bill is reflected in the Texas Human Resource Code, Chapter 42.041(b)(14) establishing requirements to exempt recreational programs operated by municipalities for elementary age (5-13) children from state child care licensing requirements provided the governing body of the municipality annually adopts Standards of Care by ordinance after a public hearing.
DISCUSSION:
Since the enactment of Senate Bill 212, the City has followed the process required to obtain exemption from state child care licensing requirements. To receive exempt status for youth recreational programs a municipality must annually adopt Standards of Care by ordinance after a public hearing. City Administration will submit a copy of the ordinance adoptin...
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