| MINUTES: September 9, 2002
6:00 pm
2530 Arnold Drive, The Bay Room
Martinez, CA
Item 1.0 – Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. Item 2.0 – Roll Call.
Commissioners in attendance:
Susan Wittenberg for Maria Theresa Viramontes-Campbell, Dr. Michael Zwerdling, Cindy Wheeler, Violet Smith, Dr. Paula Moten-Tolson, Supervisor John Gioia, Mary Foran for Dr. William Walker, Tony Colón, John Cullen Alternates in attendance:
Supervisor Mark De Saulnier, Danna Fabella Item 3.0 – Consent Items. Item 3.1- Approve minutes for July 1, 2002 meeting. Item 3.2 - Review, Discuss and Acknowledge Preliminary Financial Reports for June 2002 ending FY 01/02. Item 3.3 - Executive Committee Report.
Chairman Cullen informed the Commission that the following items were discussed: - Discussed the new format for the agency workplan. The committee will use the workplan to monitor the work of staff and as the basis to report to the full Commission on progress.
- Received an update on the CCKids Learning strategy. The committee determined that until the full effects of the state budget on Prop. 10 revenues are better understood; this strategy will not be fully implemented.
- Received an update on the first Annual Report. The report will be ready for release in December 2002 and will cover the first year of implementation, which will be the initial 18-month period.
- Received a brief update on general staff activities including the following.
- Preparation for the second annual Ready, Set, Read Family Literacy campaign and community grants program.
- Development of the think tank for the Early Education Strategy process. The think tank will take place on October 8, 2002.
- School Readiness efforts. Both Mt. Diablo and West Contra Costa school districts should be ready to submit an application to the State Commission for the December funding deadline.
- The Family Resource & Learning Centers strategy is moving forward with a series of meetings for all regions beginning in September. There will be a number of community meetings held for planning and two dates for submitting applications early next year.
- Preparation for the annual audit, which includes final financial report closeouts and contracting report closeouts.
- Discussed the discretion and ability of the Executive Directors to terminate contracts for community grants and professional services contracts. The committee agreed that the Executive Director does have this discretion and that this language should be added to the existing Executive Directors Financial Discretion Policy. The Finance Committee should review the final language for addition to and amendment of the policy.
- Reviewed and discussed the staff report prepared for the Program and Evaluation Committee meeting on state and local budget issues. The committee held an in-depth discussion and requested that the Program and Evaluation Committee provide recommendations to the full Commission. The committee also requested the Program and Evaluation Committee to consider whether an advocacy letter from the Commission should be sent to the Board of Supervisors addressing the issue of cuts/reductions to programs serving children prenatal to age 5 and their families.
- Received an update about the most recent Grand Jury inquiry into the Commission. The Grand Jury has requested information about the Commission, which is to be submitted by August 28, 2002.
- Discussed and developed the agenda of the September 9, 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: - Update on FRLC strategy implementation
Staff has hired a team of facilitators to assist in the development of the strategy. Near East County and West County will each need to come together to decide how to use the resources, and whether or not they will have one or two centers in each area. A series of community meetings will be taking place beginning in September. The Monument Corridor and Far East county sites will be holding meetings with staff to review the strategy and application. Agency meetings will be held on October 2 and 4, with the purpose of reviewing the strategy and discussion about how agencies can be involved.
- Update on Early Childhood Education strategy development
The Commission agreed to have an Early Childhood Education strategy process. A small pre-planning workgroup is assisting staff in developing the think tank conference and developing an ad hoc committee that will be working on the further development of the strategy. The think tank conference will take place October 8, 2002 with nationally known presenters.
- October Association meeting
The Association meeting will take place Wednesday, October 17, 2002 in Long Beach. The afternoon will be dedicated to a Commissioner discussion of the statewide budget situation and Prop 10. This is an opportunity for Commissioners to talk with each other about these issues. There will also be a reception with a presentation on oral health.
Item 4.1 - The Commission will review and discuss a proposed name and logo change.
Brenda Blasingame informed the Commission that the State Commission has adopted a new name, First 5, which signifies the first five years in life of brain development. The state has requested local commissions adopt the name for recognition statewide. Fifteen counties have already adopted First 5. Two examples are included in the packet, one with a green shaded hand and one with no shading.
- Consider the following recommendation: To approve adopting the State Commission’s new name and logo for Contra Costa.
A motion was made and seconded to approve adopting the State Commission’s new name and logo for Contra Costa with the green shaded hand.
The Commission voted and approved the stated motion. Item 5.0 - Committee and Program Updates. Item 5.1 – Civic Engagement Committee.
Commissioner Smith reviewed the process of Civic Engagement with the Commission and stated that there are now four regional civic engagement groups. The Commission received updates from Gloria Hartsough, East County Regional Group Leader and from Alice Axel, West County Regional Group Leader, on the work of the regional groups. Following the presentation there was an opportunity for Commission members to ask questions Item 5.2 – Program and Evaluation Committee. Brenda Blasingame stated that the Commission will receive an update regarding the last committee meeting and will discuss the Staff/PEC Report on State and Local Budget Issues. Alternate Foran informed the Commission that she would not be participating in the discussion on this agenda item due to a conflict of interest and then left the meeting. Vice Chair Moten-Tolson informed the Commission that the committee discussed state and local budget issues and what affect it could have on Commission strategies. She then reviewed the staff report with the Commission and stated that at the time the committee met, the budget had not yet been passed. The committee members (as well as other Commission members) had received an unsolicited proposal from the County Health Services Dept. The committee felt that the Commission should not immediately fill the shortfall for one department, and perhaps the Commission needed to look at the larger picture in terms of its strategies. The committee felt that the Commission should look at the impact of budget cuts on Commission strategies and be thoughtful before any changes are made, and at the same time advocate for children prenatal to age 5. The committee would like the Commission to send a letter to government officials advocating for children prenatal to age 5. a) The Commission considered the following action items in regard to state and local budget issues.
Consider the following recommendations: - To approve distributing a letter to the Board of Supervisors addressing concerns about the budget cuts and the effects on children prenatal to age five and their families.
A motion was made and seconded to approve distributing a letter to the Board of Supervisors addressing concerns about the budget cuts and the effects on children prenatal to age five and their families.
Supervisor Gioia stated that for the Board of Supervisors, there was pain in all cuts that were made and he appreciates the Commissions desire to send a letter to the Board. Regarding advocacy, the Commission needs to advocate to the Governor, state legislators, and other government officials. The Commission needs to advocate not only for reducing the amount of cuts, but also for creating revenue.
A motion was made and seconded to add to the original motion a recommendation that the Commission advocate to the Governor, state legislatures, and other government officials.
Chairman Cullen asked if representatives from the Health Services Dept. would like to address the Commission on this specific issue.
Wendell Brunner, Director Public Health, stated that the staff report is accurate, but underestimates the state and local budget impact on Prop 10. strategies. In terms of local budget cuts, this will have a variety of impacts and will impact the ability to support Commission strategies. One example is Family Resource & Learning Centers, an excellent strategy, within the Monument Corridor Collaborative the assumption for a resource center has been contingent on health services to provide services in these centers, the ability for health services to do this will be severely limited.
Kate Ertz-Berger, Director Contra Costa Child Care Council, pledged her agency’s support for any advocacy the Commission would do.
The Commission voted and approved the stated motion, with the additional recommendation that the Commission advocate to the Governor, state legislatures, and other government officials.
- To agree to wait to make decisions about new or additional funding considerations until after the state budget is passed and the impact at the local level is better understood.
The Commission held a discussion and made the following new motion:
The Commission will hold a special workshop/education session before October 30, 2002 to receive written and oral information on state, federal, and local impact on the effectiveness of Commission strategies and long range funding and the Commission would determine at that time any recommendations it would want to make.
A motion was made and seconded for the Commission to hold a special workshop/education session before October 30, 2002 to receive written and oral information on state, federal, and local impact on the effectiveness of Commission strategies and long range funding and the Commission would determine at that time any recommendations it would want to make.
The Commission voted and approved the stated motion. Public Comment
Fritzike Pugaczewski, sated that early intervention and prevention is the key to keeping costs down. Early intervention for 0-5 is the key and children will be lost if there is no early intervention. Delores White, Interfaith Council, requested that the Commission’s attention be place on the 0-5 homeless population. Wendell Brunner, CC Health Services/Director Public Health, spoke regarding the proposal submitted to the Commission, Kids Plus, stated that he system of care is not going to stay the same. In May the Board of Supervisors instituted health care for all kids. Health Services is asking the Commission to partner with the department to transform universal access to health care to actual health and well being for kids 0-5. Through this partnership Health Services is proposing to restructure programs to make children and families the center of programs. Health Services is proposing a partnership that doesn’t conflict with any current strategies and will advance them faster. He also asked the Commission to reconsider and address the sustainability strategy. Cheri Pies, CC Health Services/FMCH, spoke in favor of the Kids Plus proposal and stated that there are several opportunities to work together to expand services. This is an opportunity to bring an array of services together under one umbrella of services. Dr. Mike Cornwall, Mental Health Coalition, stated that early intervention is the key and the Commission should do more than just send a letter to the Board of Supervisors. He also stated that of he is the President of Local One and they are in favor of the Kids Plus proposal. Sue Crosby, CC Health Services/Public Health, stated that the Kids Plus proposal is the first proposal to addresses issues in this way and will allow front line nurses to be able to do their jobs and will allow an integration of services. She encouraged the Commission to consider the proposal. Sue Rodriguez, parent, spoke in favor of the Kids Plus proposal. Linda Back, Medically Vulnerable Infant Program, spoke in favor of the Kids Plus proposal and the Medically Vulnerable Infant Program and then read two letters from families in support of the proposal. Bill Schlant, Public Employees Union Local One, spoke in favor of the Kids Plus proposal. He stated that the Commission can make the absolute difference as to whether or not care gets better or worse and the Commission should partner with the county, partner with labor and do anything it can to enhance care. The future of children is now and we can make a difference. Gwen Watson, Social Justice Alliance of the Interfaith Council, stated that as a faith community they are committed to supporting programs for children 0-5 and that people of faith cannot take on the responsibility of running programs but the Commission can. Dr. Robert Noland, pediatrician, poke in favor of the Kids Plus proposal. Dianna Jorgensen, Medically Vulnerable Infant Program, stated that budget cuts have affected the Medically Vulnerable Infant Program and that the program has lost 1.2 positions in funding to the base program, while on the other hand receiving 1 position from the Home Visiting strategy. She then read a letter from a parent in support of the proposal. Jeri Cohen, West Contra Costa Unified School District, stated that as a recipient of a Commission grant for pregnant and parenting teens, one of the things we have discovered is the importance of early intervention. Naomi Zipkin, citizen, stated that as a private citizen, and a child development specialist for thirty years, she certainly recognizes the importance of early intervention. She further stated that it is important to recognize that this Commission was established as an independent Commission and that she strongly supports the independence of the Commission. The Commission has a proposal policy, and accepts request for proposals, and health services should, like any other agency or group the Commission has funded, stand in line like any other agency to submit a proposal, no matter how many merits it may have. Raul Rosas, Monument Community Partnership, stated that the mission of his organization is to improve the quality of life in the monument area. The partnership has wanted to have a family center in the community and looks forward to partnering with the Commission for a resource center. He asked the Commission to consider the collaboration of other agencies to provide partnerships with the Monument Community Partnership. Dr. Dianne Dooley, CC Regional Medical Center, spoke in favor of the Kids Plus proposal and to support some kind of partnership with the Commission and Health Services. She stated that the Prop. 10 strategic plan was made with the assumption of the level of services being maintained and that is no longer valid. Margie Boleyn, Community Clinic Consortium, stated that the consortium represents Planned Parenthood, La Clinica in Pittsburg and Brookside Community Health Center. She further stated that if the commission were to consider funding health care, she would like to request the Commission consider a proposal from the Consortium. Kate Ertz-Berger, Director, Contra Costa Child Care Council, stated that the Commission should consider the Kids Plus proposal in the context of all agencies and organizations getting funding cuts. She stated that she would like to echo support for the Commission’s process. The Commission should consider any process, in terms of unsolicited proposals from now on, from those agencies and groups who have been working with the Commission from the beginning. Liz Callahan, Contractors Alliance, stated that if the Commission decides to consider the Kids Plus proposal, the Commission should use the process done for mental health and go back to the community and partner with agencies to develop processes. She further stated that some of the processes in the Kids Plus proposal can be implemented now, and not necessarily with money, but thinking about things in a different way. Chairman Cullen stated that the Kids Plus proposal is not an action item on the Commissions agenda for tonight. Item 5.3 – Commission Events Calendar.
The Commission received the most recent events calendar. Item 6.0 – Communications.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of communications. Item 7.0 – Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m. |