Hazel Park Learning Center

IS TO PROVIDE CHIDREN AND FAMILIES WITH QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE PRE-SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE IN THE EAST SAINT PAUL COMMUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION' SINGLE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE TO AGE GROUPS FROM INFANT THROUGH PRE-SCHOOL MEETING AND EXCEEDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

AFTER ACQUISITION OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS IN LATE 2017, FOCUS WAS SHIFTED TO IMPORVING SERVICES BY RETAINING AND DEVELOPING EXISTING STAFF. SINCE THAT TIME, NUMEROUS STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO CORRECT SALARY INEQUITIES, IMPROVE VACATION BENEFITS, ADD TUITION REIMBURSEMENT BENEFITS, AND ADOPT A 6-YEAR PLAN TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION MEEDS OR EXCEEDS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL ORDINANCE MANDATING A $15.00 MINIMUM WAGE. THIS YEAR WE: 1) CONTINUED THE PRACTICE OF PROVIDING A 2-DAY VACATION BONUS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST FOR ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES WITH 1 YEAR OF SERVICE. ALL OF OUR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES QUALIFIED. 2) RESPONDED TO THE GOVERNOR'S PLEA TO STAY OPEN THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE SERVICES TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND MAINTAIN FULL EMPLOYMENT. 3) OBTAINED A PPP LOAN AND EIDL ADVANCE TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF BOTH SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT THROUGHOUT THE COVIC PANDEMIC. 4) CONTINUED ADHERENCE TO OUR 6-YEAR PLAN TO UPGRADE STAFF SALARIES.

FAMILIES AND CHILDREN: DURING 2020, HPLC WORKED ON IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEVEL OF SERVICES AND EDUCATION PROVIDED TO CHILDREN AND MAINTAINING CONTINUITY OF CARE PROVIDED TO EVERY CHILD/FAMILY WHO NEEDED OUR SERVICES ON ANY GIVEN DAY. TO IMPROVE EDUCATION, THE CENTER AND ITS STAFF COMPLETED REQUIREMENTS TO EARN A PARENT AWARE 4-STAR RATING. THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS RATING ASSURES FAMILIES, AS WELL AS EDUCATION FUNDING AND LICENSING AGENCIES, THAT HPLC PROVIDES QUALITY SERVICES.

ALTERNATIVE FUNDING: DURING, AND BECAUSE OF, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE MANAGEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECOTRS OF HPLC HAD TO TRANSITION FROM A BUSINESS LARGELY FINANCED VIA TUITION REVENUE TO ONE HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED BY NON-TUITION REVENUE. THIS REQUIRED THE CENTER TO REACH OUT TO FEDERAL, STATE AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO: 1) ENSURE THAT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR OPEN STATUS AND CAPACITY TO ACCEPT CHILDREN WAS COMMUNICATED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES; AND 2) ACCESS NON-TUITION REVENUE SOURCES AVAILABLE TO CHILDCARE THROUGH FEDERAL LEGISLATION, STATE ACTION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. THIS ENHANCED OUTWARD FOCUS TOOK THE FORM OF RESEARCHING AND APPLYING FOR GRANT INCOME; PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY FAMILY-FOCUSED EVENTS; AND NETWORKING THROUGH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.