Santa Barbara County Child Care Planning Council
Minutes of February 12, 2014
Buellton Recreation Center, 301 Second Street, Buellton, CA
Attendance
Members Present: Trudy Adair-Verbais, Terri Allison, Debi Badger, Lourena Beale, Jennifer Bergquist, Maureen
Brems, Sunny Currey-Nagy, Karin Dominguez, Dan Fontaine, Flo Furuike, Shelley Grand, Becky Grant, LuAnn
Miller, Eileen Monahan, Thesa Roepke, Leslie Voss
Alternates Present: Raquel Valdez
Members Excused: Florene Bednersh, Theresa Embry, Michelle Graham, Georgene Lowe, Susan Walsh
Members Absent: Maggie Espinoza, Eva Vega
Guests Present: Darcel Elliott, Mari Gonzalez, Joyce Howerton, Anne Stieg
Staff Present: Joyce Stone
I.
Welcome
Chair Jennifer Bergquist called the meeting to order at 9:01 am. Introductions followed.
II.
Approval of Minutes of January 8, 2014
Flo Furuike moved and LuAnn Miller seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of
January 8, 2014 as presented. MSC.
III.
Public Comment Period
There was no public comment at this time.
IV.
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V.
Current Public Policy & Budget Issues
Joyce Stone presented PowerPoint slides on current state and federal budget and legislation relative to
early care and education. She also distributed an article she wrote for CAEYC’s eConnections.
Chair Jennifer Bergquist welcomed guests Joyce Howerton and Anne Stieg from Senator Hannah-Beth
Jackson’s office, and Darcel Elliott from Assemblyman Das Williams’ office to share tips on working with
legislators. Joyce Howerton commented that we are fortunate to have such accessible local
representatives, but they have only Fridays in their local offices. Joyce added it was important to look
closely at an issue: does it really require the representative’s time, or can it be handled by a staff
person? Anne Stieg reminded us to provide background information on an issue that is clear and
concise, as if the issue were totally unfamiliar. She added that it is best to come together with other
groups and have a united voice, especially on budget issues. Anne also provided Council members with
written information, including a budget timeline. Darcel Elliott reiterated that it is important to meet
with staff, adding that both Senator Jackson and Assemblyman Williams listen to their staff. She also
talked about the current state budget, noting that we need a “bigger pie” to fully fund programs, and
that the Governor is not reluctant to use his veto power. Annie Stieg noted that Senator Jackson is the
Vice-Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, which is a champion of women and children. A period of
questions and answers was included.
Trudy Adair-Verbais opened a discussion of SB 837, which would expand Transitional Kindergarten to all
four-year olds. The discussion included potential impacts to children, their families, and to current child
development programs. Darcel Elliott added that Assemblyman Williams supports mandatory
kindergarten; about 20% of five-year-olds statewide, mostly from low-income families, do not attend
kindergarten. Anne Stieg requested that the Council send her a list of potential impacts of SB 837,
especially local impacts, to forward to the Women’s Caucus.
Quality Workforce Ad Hoc Committee Update
Leslie Voss reported that the Committee met on January 23 to discuss AB 212 and CARES Plus; the
meeting notes were distributed. The Committee decided not to recommend any changes to AB 212 at
this time, and to maintain the seamless CARES Plus program which currently supports higher education
and CLASS training. The Committee will continue to monitor participation and anecdotal information
from the field about their training needs, and will look at ways to support CPIN trainings.
VI.
Needs Assessment Ad Hoc Committee Update
Joyce Stone reported that the consultant working with her on the Need Assessment update had a family
emergency and has not been available for the past few weeks. Joyce passed around the sign-up sheet
for the Committee, and will send a poll to set a date for March.
VII.
Update of Training Topics
Joyce Stone gave an update on training topics for the remainder of the year. The March meeting will
include a THRIVE update from Laura Camp, an update from the First 5 Santa Barbara ECE Division with
Eileen Monahan, and a presentation on the NAEYC Code of Ethics with Thesa Roepke. The April meeting
will include a discussion of the MOU with the Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Network of Family
Resource Centers, with representatives of those groups.
VIII.
Coordinator’s Report
Joyce Stone distributed a report of her activities since the last Council meeting.
IX.
ECED/QRIS Updates
Eileen Monahan reported that enrollment is progressing for the QRIS; there are 100 programs enrolled
and the goal at the end of the grant is to have 120. First 5 is working closely with Resource & Referral
and the CCPC on implementation.
The First 5 Commission has approved the new Strategic Plan, which includes support for quality through
CARES Plus, the QRIS and accreditation. First 5 is working with NAEYC on developing a crosswalk
between elements of the QRIS and accreditation. The Plan also includes funding for building capacity,
and Eileen requested input from the Council during the planning phase.
Mari Gonzalez provided an update on workforce development. There are 201 participants currently
enrolled in CARES Plus, which includes higher education, CLASS and My Teaching Partner. First 5 is
supporting CAC in using CLASS and are piloting a CLASS integration session. Mari will provide workshops
at the Child Development Conference on April 26. There are scholarships for the BA in ECE at CSUCI.
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X.
Program Coordination Update
Trudy Adair-Verbais reported that there are openings for infants and toddlers in the Lompoc Cal-SAFE.
XI.
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XIV.
Other Business/Announcements
Leslie Voss is still recruiting for infant teachers and support positions at UCSB.
LuAnn Miller reported that the Elks Club is funding mini-libraries for four sites in Isla Vista.
Terri Allison invited members to be involved with PCAEYC. She also announced that Storyteller has
purchased their De La Vina site.
Trudy Adair-Verbais announced that SBCEO has an opening for a caseworker.
Adjournment
Chair Jennifer Bergquist adjourned the meeting at 11:09 am.