Contra Costa

Children and Families Commission

Minutes

February 5, 2001

Item1.0 Call to Order.

Themeeting was called to order at 6:12 p.m.

Item 2.0 Roll Call.

Commissioners in Attendance:

Dr.Michael Zwerdling, Kathleen Tabor, Violet Smith, Terrissa Hein, SupervisorGayle B. Uilkema, Dr. William Walker, John Cullen

Alternates in Attendance:

Ronda Garca, Linda Smith,Barbara Langsdale, Dr. Paula Moten-Tolson, Danna Fabella

Item3.0 Consent Items.

Item 3.1- Approve minutes for January 8, 2001 meeting.

The Commission approved the minutes for the January8, 2001 meeting as amended.

Item 3.2 - Acknowledge Monthly Financial Reports.

Brenda Blasingame reviewed the financial reportswith the Commission. She noted thatunder Revenue: For Expenditure January column, the $80,000 listed reflects theCivic Engagement Grant.

Brenda Blasingame informedthe Commission that Barbara Hill, an external account, will be setting up theCommissions internal accounting and tracking system. Financial reports will change once the system is established.

Item 4.0 Committee and Program Updates.

Item 4.1 Update fromImplementation Committee.

      HomeVisiting Update

Commissioner Tabor handedout and reviewed the Contra Costa Home Visitation Initiative Funders Coalitiondocument. She stated that the Coalitionis looking at policy level and funding issues including how do we serve themost people with the funding that is available and how do we leverage otherfunding for this strategy.

She asked theCommissioners if there is willingness for the Commission to continue with theprocess. The Commissioners agreed thatthe process should continue.

      RevisitGrants Program Timeline and Calendar

Lisa R. Johnson reviewed the current CommissionCalendar with the Commissioners.

      FamilyLiteracy Proposal

Lisa R. Johnson handed out and reviewed the GrantProgram Update document with the Commissioners.

She stated that the Family Literacy proposal has atentative release date of March 8, 2001 and the Parenting Education proposalhas the tentative release date of March 8, 2001.

She then informed the Commission that she receivedone proposal for the Tobacco Cessation RFP, however, the proposal did not meetthe vision the Commission had for this strategy, and staff recommended that itbe rejected and that the proposal be re-released. Commissioner Tabor stated that although this proposal wasrejected the applicant would be able to reapply.

Item 4.2 Announcement ofExternal Evaluation Consultant.

Sean Casey informed the Commission that CS&Ohave been selected as the External Evaluator.

He stated that CS&O is an organization thatcomes with a fine reputation in developing outcomes based evaluation andoutcomes based management. For ourwork, they are working with Children and Families Future, with Sid Gardner asthe principal from this organization.The next step is to enter into a planning phase.

Item 4.3 Approval of Slatefor Funding in the following areas:

Commissioner Tabor declared that this is a veryexciting process. The respondents tothe RFPs and letters of interest put in a lot of work. The ideas they came up with wereinnovative. The staff put in a hugeamount of work and I really want to validate the quality of work and level ofwork they have put into this process. Ireally want to thank the community who volunteered to review proposals. I think we are very fortunate in this countyto have great public and private agency people.

Commissioner Tabor then requested that anyCommissioner who has a conflict please state that they have an agency affiliateconflict and abstain from voting.

The slate for funding was reviewed and voted on bythe Commission.

       SubstanceAbuse Services

Abstentions: 2

Dr. William Walker due to a conflict ofinterest

John Cullen due to aconflict of interest

The Commission voted toapprove the funding to the County Substance Abuse Services in the amount of upto $ 1.4 million for implementation of the Substance Abuse Services RFP.

       ChildCare Availability/Accessible Grants

Abstentions: 0

The Commission voted toapprove the funding to the Contra Costa Child Care Council in the amount of$500,000 for implementation of the Child Care Availability/Accessible GrantsRFP.

       Professional Development Plan

Abstentions: 0

The Commission voted toapprove the funding to the Local Planning Council in the amount of up to$450,000 to administer the Professional Development Plan RFP.

       MentalHealth and Special Needs Consultation

Abstentions: 0

The Commission voted toapprove the funding to We Care Inc. dba The Barbara Milliff Childrens Centerin the amount of up to $500,000 to implement the Mental Health and SpecialNeeds Consultation RFP.

Item 4.4 Approval of Slatefor Family Friendly Planning and Implementation Grants for Funding.

The Commission voted toapprove the slate of the Family-Friendly Community Grants, both implementationand planning grants, pending modifications.

PublicComment

TheCommission received public comment.

Item 4.5 ContractsProcess.

Executive Director Brenda Blasingamehanded out and reviewed the
Contract Development memo to the Commission, stating that a contractstemplate for grantees needs to be produced.She noted that after contract templates from several Prop. 10Commissions were reviewed, and after county counsels contracts person reviewedthe two examples put forth, County Counsel believes the current template beingused by the county closely matches what the other Prop 10 Commissions areusing. County counsel will includeother provisions that are specific to our local Commission as needed.

She then stated that it is thestaffs recommendation that the Commission delegate to the Executive Committeefinal review and approval of the contract language. Any other Commissioners who are interested, can also be includedin giving feedback.

The Commission approved delegating to the ExecutiveCommittee final review and approval of the contract language.

Item 4.6 Update from CivicEngagement Committee.

Tracy Irwin handed out and reviewed a Civic EngagementProject update document, updating the Commission on outreach efforts and parentfocus groups. She stated that four part-time regional outreach workers will be hired and their salaries will be paidfor by the Civic Engagement grant.

Item 4.7 Update fromPublic Information and Education Committee.

Gabriela Castelan presentedto the Commission a recommendation that a media advocacy training for theCommission, staff, and grantees be conducted.Alternate Garcia added that the purpose for the media advocacy trainingis for the Commission to have an opportunity to come together to craft amessage.

Commissioner Tabor requestedthat the Committee return to the Commission with a few different options forholding the training.

Gabriela Casteln also providedmore information on the work of the PIE committee and the contract withORourke and Associates. She alsodistributed Staff Update Newsletter and a press release for the currentfunding.

Item 5.0 New Business.

Item 5.1 ExecutiveDirectors Report.

See report attached to theseminutes.

      ResolutionDelegating Authority for Investment of Public Agency Funds to the Treasurer ofthe County of Contra Costa

The Commission voted to approve the resolution withan attached memo that states what the practice has been for investments andthat the Commission makes decision about and guides the investments of its Prop10 funds.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.