MINUTES: March 9, 2002
9:00 a.m.
Concord Hilton
1970 Diamond Blvd.
Concord, CA 94520

Item 1.0 – Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 9:17 a.m.

Item 2.0 – Roll Call.
Commissioners in Attendance:
Dr. Michael Zwerdling, Cindy Wheeler, Violet Smith, Dr. Paula Moten-Tolson, John Gioia,
Dr. William Walker, Tony Colón, John Cullen

Alternates in Attendance:
Susan Wittenberg, Ronda Garcia, Barbara Langsdale, Mary Foran, Pat Stroh, Danna Fabella

Item 3.0 – Public Comment.
Chairman Cullen opened public comment and stated that there are several opportunities throughout the agenda for comment. He requested those interested in giving public comment stand and give their name for the record.

Wendy Sharp, parent, spoke in favor of the professional development pilot program stating that teachers who are working to educate themselves and focus on classrooms are wonderful.

Janice Townsend, child care provider, stated that many people present need to leave and did not plan their day around attending the entire retreat.

Chairman Cullen stated that if public comment were made now addressing items that come later on the agenda, the Commission would not be able to address those items until they appear on the agenda. He polled members of the public as to their need to leave and given the large number of people who indicated their need to leave, stated that the Commission would receive open public comment. He then requested comments be kept to 3 minutes or less.

Margaret Weigert-Jacobs, Contra Costa Child Care Council, stated that due to the professional development pilot program enrollment in their training program has tripled. Classes at the community colleges and the Child Care Council have been full. She then thanked the Commission and stated that she wants to remind the Commission of the difference the grant has made.

Chairman Cullen stated that the Commission is not making a decision about the continuation of the professional development pilot program today.

Janice Townsend, child care provider, stated that she was attended a speaking engagement by Rob Reiner, Chair, Children and Families Commission, and is excited to hear how the professional development pilot program would feed into the state’s plan. She thanked the Commission for the professional development pilot program. She then asked why the work group was not convened and that there was a missing piece and that if there was a huge issue the Commission would call upon the work groups to get their thinking.

Casandra Campbell, child development teacher, stated that 22 years ago she graduated from the junior college system but hasn’t been able to go back to college due to finances and the professional development pilot program has allowed her to be able to go back to school.

Cathy Roof, Martinez Early Childhood Center, thanked the Commission for the professional development pilot program. She stated that there is no staffing crisis in her center, and she sees happy, motivated uplifted teachers who are using their ECERS tools, and attending workshops. She stated that teachers who are not eligible this year are working hard to get their credits in order to be eligible next year.

Name Unknown, teacher, stated that she was not a recipient of the professional development pilot program but works with teachers who are and has noticed that there is a positive influence in the classroom, teachers want to go back to school.

Janette Mildred, parent, stated that she is concerned about quality of child care and believes that education is what makes the difference in the classroom. She then stated that she would like to continue with her education and would only be able to do so with the funds from the professional development pilot program. She thanked the Commission for the funds she has received.

Miriam Shaffer, public relations professional working with the Contra Costa Child Care Council and a representative of the early educators coalition, thanked the Commission for the support it has given to child care workers. She then read several letters to the Commission from parents and providers in support of the professional development pilot program.

Kathy Lindquist, Local Planning Council, presented the Commission with a handout that included detailed information on the professional development pilot program.

Catherine Giacalone, CCC Office of Education and administrator for the professional development pilot program stated that she is in favor of the program and that it would be short sited to eliminate it.

Name Unknown, child care provider in San Ramon, stated that because of the professional development pilot program she can be a better provider.

Giggette Gimmery, child care provider, stated that the professional development pilot program motives her and helps her to go back to school.

Name Unknown, child care provider in Clayton, thanked the Commission for the professional development pilot program and stated that early childhood education is very important and these funds have helped her go back to school.

Item 4.0 – Consent Items.

Item 4.1- Approve minutes for February 4, 2002 meeting.
Commissioner Wheeler requested the following correction to page four of the minutes under Items 5.1 – Program and Evaluation Committee, b) Home Visiting Strategy, 2): remove item c. Corrected minutes will read as follows:

2) To meet families at their level of need it was determined that the following is required:

a. Non-duplication of services
b. A common intake from to create the referrals in the system

The Commission voted to approve the minutes for the February 4, 2002 meeting as amended.  

Item 4.2 - Review, Discuss and Acknowledge Financial Reports for January 2002.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the financial reports.

Item 4.3 - Executive Committee Report.
Chairman Cullen informed the Commission that the following items were discussed:

a) Received an update on the Civic Engagement Grant. The Commission has been awarded the full amount of $100,000.

b) Received on update on the Program and Evaluation Committee sustainability discussion.

c) Assigned the position of chair for the Public Affairs Committee to Ronda Garcia. Reviewed and discussed the California Children and Families Association Policy Platform and gave feedback to staff.

d) Discussed the agenda for the March 9, 2002 Commission retreat.

e) Closed Session. Discussed the evaluation of the Executive Director.

A motion was made and seconded to approve Item 4.0 – Consent Items, with the minutes amended as noted.

The Commission voted to approve the Consent Items as amended.

Item 5.0 - Bylaws Change.
Consider the following motion: To approve recommended changes to the Bylaws.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the Bylaws changes.

The Commission then held a discussion regarding the changes to the Bylaws and agreed that any editorial changes/corrections would be forwarded to staff.

The Commission voted to approve the stated motion.

Item 6.0 - Sustainability Plan.
Consider the following motion: To approve the general concepts contained in the sustainability plan.

Chairman Cullen stated that is the goal of the Commission to establish long-term sustainability since program costs will increase over time and the Commission’s revenue will decline over time. There are guiding principles being proposed to adopt a ten-year plan. Every year the Commission will review funding, make sure it is on target and adjust as appropriate. Every five years the Commission will review a ten-year plan. This will allow the Commission to fund the increased costs over the years.

Sean Casey reviewed with the Commission the document “sample ten-year projection based on FY 02 / 03 and 03 / 04 estimated budgets. ”

The Commission then held a question and answer session regarding sustainability.

Commissioners gave feedback on the guiding principles for sustainability. Chairman Cullen requested that the language be reviewed and brought back to the full Commission.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the plan as outlined with the understanding that the Program and Evaluation Committee will wordsmith the guiding principles and come back to the full Commission for approval.

The Commission voted to approve the stated motion.

Item 7.0 - Public Comment.

Barbara McCullough, Perinatal Council, stated that she would like to see an added sentence under 3 of the guiding principles, that there be a principle that leveraged funds be designated to enhance / expand not offset services.

Item 8.0 - Sustainability Plan – Strategy Funding.
Consider the following motion: To approve the overall funding plan for sustainability in the areas of strategy funding, strategy support, administration, and capital expenditures.

Commissioner Moten-Tolson reviewed the recommendations for strategy funding and sustainability with the Commission.

Brenda Blasingame then reviewed the document “estimated strategic budgets for fiscal year 02 / 03 and 03 / 04 draft” with the Commission.

The Commission then held a discussion regarding the early childhood education strategy funding.

Chairman Cullen stated that the purpose is to try to put together a funding strategy that will allow a sustainability plan for funding in the future.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the overall funding plan for sustainability in the areas of strategy funding, strategy support, administration, and capital expenditures.

Commissioner Gioia stated that the Commission is making a decision about categories and reducing the entire strategy of early education.

Commissioner Smith asked when the three years of the professional development pilot program would be completed.

Brenda Blasingame stated that the pilot program will be completed in June 2003, which is why changes to the funding of the early education strategy begin in     FY 03 / 04.

Commissioner Colón stated that the Commission can not solve the problems facing the childcare workforce alone. There is a need to leverage resources at the state and federal levels.

Alternate Stroh stated that she agreed with Commissioner Colón. She stated that professional development pilot program, a three-year program, should give the Commission the data to take to the state and show that this is an important issue.

Alternate Garcia stated that in terms of an advocacy issue, the Commission can ask Ellen Tauscher to support George Miller’s bill on child care.

Commission Cullen asked for the advocacy request to be explored for a future agenda.

Commissioner Cullen further stated that all Commission members recognize there is not enough money to fund all strategies over time, but as part of the strategies the Commission does have an advocacy role to be committed to leverage dollars. The Commission is not in this alone.

The Commission voted to approve the stated motion.

Item 9.0 - Public Comment. .
Theresa Skritney, San Ramon Family Child Care Association, stated that she is concerned about the change in language from professional development pilot program to early education, which is very broad and spoke in favor of the professional development pilot program.

Barbara Sanders, child care provider, thanked the Commission for the Ready Set Read grant she received. She stated that she is not currently a recipient of the professional development pilot program but hopes to apply next year. She stated that she is proud of the work the Commission is doing.

Jane Kapphahn, Vice Chair, Local Planning Council, and member of sub committee that oversees the professional development pilot program, stated that the professional development pilot program has shown an immediate response, such as classes being full. She further stated that there is no other way to subsidize early education on the horizon. These funds have made a huge impact.

Liz Callahan, Contractors Alliance, stated that if the reduction seemed arbitrary.

Miriam Shaffer, public relations professional working with the Contra Costa Child Care Council and a representative of the early educators coalition, stated that educators are raising questions about the funds being public funds and not a private foundation, and if so then there needs to be public input before cutting the funds.

Item 10.0 – Family Resource and Learning Centers.
Consider the following motion: To approve the implementation of  $1.4 million dollars for Family Resource and

Brenda Blasingame informed the Commission that the afternoon portion of the agenda would be dedicated to the discussion of Family Resource & Learning Centers in order to staff the ability to implement the strategy and to set up the strategy as a non-competitive strategy. The recommendation of staff is that the Commission makes the decision about allocating funds. The Program and Evaluation Committee will carry out the Commission’s direction.

Family Support California conducted a presentation to the Commission and reviewed the Family Resource & Learning Strategy Development. They reviewed roles and responsibilities of the Commission and community.

After much discussion, the Commission requested staff or the Program and Evaluation Committee to come back to the full Commission with a recommendation for roles and responsibilities.

After reviewing information about developing a context for regional funding, and much discussion, the Commission determined it wanted to review information in the following areas:

• Number of children 0-5
• Percent of children 0-5 in poverty
• Number of children at risk of removal from homes in the designated geographical areas.

A motion was made and seconded to have the data listed gathered and presented in a staff report to the Program and Evaluation Committee who will then make a recommendation for consideration to the full commission at the April meeting.

The Commission voted to approve the stated motion.

Item 11.0 – Public Comment.
The Commission received no public comment during this portion of the agenda.

Item 12.0 – Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.