Council Report

City Council Report 
 
Date:   
April 20, 2026 
To:  
 
City Council 
Through:  
Miranda DeWitt, Government Relations Director 
From:  
Sharon Skinner, Grants Coordinator 
Subject:  
Resolution of support for the submittal of a grant application by Child 
Crisis Arizona to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in the amount of 
$10,000 for their Parenting Education & Support program and approving 
the City Manager to accept and administer subsequent awarded funds as 
a pass-thru grant. 
 
Purpose and Recommendation 
 
This request is seeking a City Council resolution of support for Child Crisis Arizona 
application to Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation for Proposition 202 funding. If awarded, 
the grant will provide $10,000 in funding for their Parenting Education & Support 
program. A Council Resolution supports this effort to secure a grant and commits the 
city to receive it on behalf of the non-profit and pass it through in its entirety to them if 
awarded. As these programs serve the needs of City of Mesa residents, staff 
recommendation is for Council to adopt this resolution. 
 
Background 
 
Child Crisis Arizona is a local nonprofit agency whose mission is to provide children and 
youth in Arizona a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong 
and successful families.  
 
The Parenting Education & Support program provides caregiver support, trainings, and 
essential resources to families experiencing crisis. The family supports continuum is 
designed to strengthen families through coordinated, layered services that address 
parenting capacity and long-term stability. Child Crisis works with expectant parents and 
families with young children to strengthen parent–child relationships, support healthy 
development, and build caregiver confidence. 
 
Child Crisis Arizona is headquartered in the City of Mesa, with several programs located 
within the city, including a Group Home, Children’s Refugee Services, Early Head Start, 
Preschool, Food Pantry, and Counseling Programs. In 2026, Child Crisis expects to 
serve 3,500 Mesa residents (27%) of all individuals served in this program.

Discussion 
 
A resolution of support for this grant request will complete the necessary documentation 
for the organization to file their application by the funder’s deadline and be considered 
for funding from Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.  Mesa’s participation in Proposition 202 
Indian Gaming Grants has returned over $1 billion to Arizona communities since its 
passage in 2002 from four surrounding tribal governments.  
  
Alternatives 
 
The only alternative to adopting this resolution would be to not adopt.  Such an action 
would deny Mesa sponsorship for this request and require the organization to seek an 
alternate local government for access to this funding source.  
 
Fiscal Impact 
 
The fiscal impact on the City of Mesa, should this grant be awarded, will be negligible 
except overhead expenses in accounting to accept and reissue the grant check. The 
City does not administer the grant and signs an MOU or IGA with each tribe to limit our 
liability to only the pass-through transaction.