| MINUTES: June 3, 2002
2530 Arnold Drive, The Bay Room
Martinez, CA 94553
Public Hearing on the California Children and Families Commission Annual Report
for FY 00-01 The Commission received no public comment. Item 1.0 – Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 6:12 p.m. Item 2.0 – Roll Call.
Commissioners in attendance:
Maria Theresa Viramontes-Campbell, Dr. Michael Zwerdling, Cindy Wheeler, Violet Smith, Supervisor John Gioia, Tony Colón, John Cullen Alternates in attendance:
Susan Wittenberg, Ronda Garcia, Carol Weadon, Mary Foran, Pat Stroh, Danna Fabella Item 3.0 – Consent Items. Item 3.1- Approve minutes for May 6, 2002 meeting. Item 3.2 - Review, Discuss and Acknowledge Financial Reports for April 2002. Item 3.3 - Executive Committee Report.
Commissioner Zwerdling informed the Commission that the following items were discussed: - Discussed the format of the workplan. Reviewed and discussed the Early Education and the School readiness Process Maps.
- Received an update about the Rose Mary Corbin treatment facility.
- Discussed the Network of Care web-based resource. A presentation will be made to the Commission for consideration.
- Approved the final draft of the Employee Handbook.
- Approved the establishment of a Policy and Advocacy Committee and requested Commissioner Colón Chair the committee.
- Approved the appointment of Violet Smith as Chair of the Civic Engagement Committee.
- Discussed and developed the agenda of the June 3, 2002 meeting.
The Commission voted to approve Item 3.0 – Consent Items. Item 4.0 - Executive Director’s Report.
Brenda Blasingame gave the following report: - State Master Plan for Education
Included in the packet are notes from the CCAFA meeting’s discussion on the State master plan for education. The majority of the discussion was about implementation of the master plan. On June 10th, 2002 a discussion will be held about school readiness online at: www.network/democracy.org/camp.
- The Governor’s Budget - May Revise Information
The governor has proposed two specific resources for an increase in revenue in California; a vehicle license fee, and a 50-cent tax on tobacco, which does not have a backfill for Prop 10. Estimates for the annual revenue loss for the state range from 20-40 million dollars, which means, at the low end, approximately $450,000 annual loss for Contra Costa.
Chairman Cullen requested Brenda Blasingame to draft a letter on behalf of the Commission to Governor Davis and elected officials that expresses the Commission’s concerns about the cumulative impact of proposed budget cuts and the need for a provision for backfill for Prop 10. to
FY ‘01-’02. The letter will be brought forth to the Executive Committee for approval.
- Bay Area Roundtable Meetings
Discussions are on the subject of media and what local Commissions are doing.
Item 4.1 - Demonstration and presentation of Network of Care Website by Bruce Bronzan from Trilogy – Integrated Resources.
This item was removed from the Agenda by the Executive Director. Item 5.0 - Committee and Program Updates. Item 5.1 – Program and Evaluation Committee.
a) Family Friendly Community Grants
Lisa Johnson reviewed the staff report and informed the Commission that the third cycle of Family Friendly Community Grants has been completed. Commissioner Viramontes-Campbell stated that she would abstain from voting on this agenda item due to a conflict of interest with two proposed grantees. Alternate Wittenberg will vote on her behalf. Alternate Fabella requested that the A.A.S.K. grantee be required to: work with the public system; that their event be coordinated with Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Dept.; and that the grantee has accurate information regarding the steps for adoption from the public adoption agency in Contra Costa. Consider the following recommendation: To approve funding thirty (30) grants in the total amount of $150,000 for Family-Friendly Community Grants. A motion was made and seconded to approve funding thirty (30) grants in the total amount of $150,000 for Family-Friendly Community Grants. Ayes:
Chairman Cullen
Commissioner Zwerdling
Commissioner Wheeler
Commissioner Smith
Commissioner Gioia
Commissioner Colón
Alternate Wittenberg Nays:
None Abstentions:
Commissioner Viramontes-Campbell The Commission voted and approved the stated motion.
b) Update on Grantee activities
The Commission received an update from Parent Education and Support grantee Betsy Katz of C.A.R.E. c) School Readiness Process Map
Debi Silverman reviewed the process map with the Commission. She stated that RFF requires the Commission to work with the school district and that the superintendent must sign the MOU as recommended in the RFF. Chairman Cullen requested staff report back to the Commission both on school districts that decline funding and those that are interested in receiving funding. Public Comment.
Kathy Roof, Martinez Early Childhood Center, spoke in favor of the Professional Development Plan and stated that she has made worthy wage for her staff a priority. She handed out a copy of the Building Blocks newsletter. Dorothy Stewart, Old Firehouse School, spoke in favor of the Professional Development Plan and stated that the most crucial issue in child care is staff salaries. Suzie Allison, Mulberry Tree Preschool, spoke in favor of the Professional Development Plan and stated that the whole basis of early education is consistency and we can’t keep staff if we cant’ pay them. Kate Ertz-Berger, Director, Child Care Council, asked the Commission what role the Commission envisions for the child care community in the school readiness initiative. Debi Silverman stated that staff is currently working with Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and the RFF requires the Commission partner with Head Starts. Once meeting logistics are confirmed, the child care community and parents will be invited to attend. Debi will contact Kate with meeting logistics and invite her to attend and provide input to staff for child care community participants. Item 5.1 – Program and Evaluation Committee, continued. a) Early Childhood Education Process Map
Brenda Blasingame reviewed the process map with the Commission. b) Family Resource & Learning Centers
Brenda Blasingame reviewed the staff report with the Commission. She stated that the recommendation is for the Commission to agree to fund no more than two (2) Family Resource & Learning Centers in each area-near east county and west county-and the funds be divided equally between those two regions. The community itself could decide to have only one center. Staff’s recommendation is for the Commission to add this additional parameter. The Commission then held a discussion regarding the Family Resource & Learning Centers. 1. Consider the following recommendation: To approve equal funding for no more than two (2) Family Resource & Learning Centers in West County, and no more than two (2) Family Resource & Learning Centers in Near East County Commissioner Gioia requested language be added to the end of the recommendation to include “to be used for up to 2 Family Resource & Learning Centers if limited to exclusive use of Commission funds” A motion was made and seconded to approve equal funding for no more than two (2) Family Resource & Learning Centers in West County, and no more than two (2) Family Resource & Learning Centers in Near East County to be used for up to 2 Family Resource & Learning Centers if limited to exclusive use of Commission funds Ayes:
Chairman Cullen
Commissioner Zwerdling
Commissioner Wheeler
Commissioner Smith
Commissioner Gioia
Commissioner Colón Nays:
Commissioner Viramontes-Campbell Abstentions:
none Item 5.2 – Finance and Investment Committee.
Commissioner Zwerdling reviewed the proposed FY 02/03 budget with the Commission. a) Consider the following recommendation: To approve the budget for the Fiscal Year 02/03 A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget for the Fiscal Year 02/03. The Commission voted and approved the stated motion. Item 5.3 – Commission Events Calendar.
The Commission received the most recent events calendar. Item 6.0 – Summer Commission Meeting Schedule.
The Commission held a discussion regarding the meeting schedule for July – September 2002 and agreed upon the following meeting schedule: July:
July 1, 2002 August:
No meeting will be held September:
September 9, 2002 Item 7.0 – Communications.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of communications. Item 8.0 – Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. |