Santa Barbara County Child Care Planning Council
Steering Committee
Proposed minutes of meeting held April 2, 2009
Location: Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, in Solvang
Members: Karin Dominguez, Jennifer Bergquist, Flo Furuike, Vishna Herrity, Linda Williams,
Eileen Monahan
Excused: Trudy Adair-Verbais, Susie West, Mattie Gadsby
Guests: none
Staff: Valerie Kolstad
The meeting was called to order by Chair Dominguez at 11:05 a.m.
I.
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Approval of Minutes of:
Vishna Herrity moved to approve the minutes of February 26, 2009. Flo Furuike
seconded the motion. MSC.
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Public Comment Period:
none
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Review Dates/Times for 2009 Steering Mtgs.:
April 23, 2009, 11:00-1:30, at the Hope Education Center Board Room in Santa Barbara
May 28, 2009, 1-3:30, in Solvang
June 25, 2009, 11-1:30, Hope Education Center Board Room in Santa Barbara
II.
III.
IV.
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First 5 Early Care & Education Division Report
Teri Maus-Nisich, Asst. County Exec. Officer for the County is meeting with SBCEO,
CAC, and First 5 to discuss stimulus money that may become available to support child
care. One suggestion was that scholarships might be made available for families who
would not be eligible for subsidized care. Other suggestions were that the funds may
support child care infrastructure and would help save or add jobs.
The possibility that additional funding may become available led to a discussion about
supporting potential new contractors and/or having some current private programs
include a few subsidized spaces. This raised the question of whether this is a good way
to increase quality in programs in our county. Or, are the State requirements for Child
Development programs prohibitively cumbersome for many programs?
It was agreed that Eileen will lead a discussion at April 8 Council meeting - “The ABC’s
of the Federal Stimulus Package and its Potential for Local Child Care”. A short article
on the topic will be sent out to members to read prior to the meeting to help them prepare
for the discussion.
The ECE Division will appear before the First 5 Panel tomorrow to present their plan for
the next funding cycle. They have an hour to present their plan with proposed full
funding and with 50% of proposed funding.
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V.
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VI.
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First 5 is considering continuing to fund initiatives next year at least at 50% level
regardless of the outcome of the May 18 proposition that may reduce local First 5 funds
by more than 50% over the coming years. The Commissioners are considering the
question of whether programs can operate effectively with 50% funding.
The Strategic Planning that the Commission will be undertaking in the coming months
will determine which initiatives should continue.
Discuss AB212 Plan for 2009-2010
The AB 212 Plan approved by the Council at the March meeting has been submitted to
CDD.
It is recognized that there are likely to be changes to the plan when it becomes clearer
what changes will be necessary for the STAR project should First 5 funding be reduced.
AB 212 funds have always been part of the STAR project in Santa Barbara County. A
letter informing CDD that changes may be necessary was included with the submitted
plan.
CDE Survey of Potential Program Expansion and Standard Reimbursement Rate
Discussion
CDD funded programs were asked to share copies of their CDD surveys about possible
expansion. Only 5 surveys were received. These responses were reviewed.
Some programs are unwilling to expand since the Standard Reimbursement Rate is
considered to be too low to effectively operate a quality program. In other counties State
funded Child Development programs have closed because of this problem.
The CCCCA Public Policy committee is recommending that Child Care Planning
Councils and others request that their county and cities governments sign on to a letter
requesting that the SRR be increased so that local agencies will be willing to accept the
funds from the stimulus package for increased child care spaces.
At the April 8 Council meeting, members will be asked to approve a request to the
County and cities to sign on to a letter to the State regarding this matter. A sample letter
is being prepared by the CCCCA Public Policy committee.
It was noted that such a request to the County BOS would have to go through the County
legislative committee first.
VII.
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Child Care Planning for Funding Opportunities
Mattie Gadsby had been planning to convene a meeting to provide information for
agencies that might be interested in applying for the new Early Head Start funds.
However, the information will be available in two webinars so no local meeting will be
held. Information about the webimars has been sent out by e-mail.
VIII.
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Q Campaign Update
The tours of high quality early care and education programs held on March 20 in Santa
Maria and Santa Barbara went very well.
A final meeting was held this morning to evaluate the process and outcomes of the tours.
It is clear that it would not have been possible to organize the tours in this way without
the two tour facilitators hired for this purpose.
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IX.
There was also discussion at that meeting about similar tours that might be held for other
groups, e.g other agencies that support children and families, the ECE community, HR
directors etc.
There was speculation about whether running such tours would become easy to do if they
happened frequently enough.
Patricia Madrigal from First 5 was an enormous help in reaching the media. Univision
attended the SB tour and interviewed Jennifer and some participants. The SM Times, SM
Sun and Lompoc Record published articles about the event.
It was suggested that it may be good to have a discussion about additional media followup with William Boyer who is responsible for communications at the County.
The Q Ad Hoc Committee will be convened to discuss next steps in the Q campaign and
how to best use remaining funds.
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Leadership Series Update
The results of the staff surveys administered at programs participating in the Leadership
Series are being prepared by the project evaluator. 18 reports have gone out to programs
and it is anticipated that the rest will go out by early next week.
We are awaiting the overall findings of the surveys to finalize planning the rest of the
Leadership Series.
The Council is coordinating with the ECE Division PQI project to plan the Series.
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State Budget and Legislation Update
Tabled
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X.
XI.
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XII.
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XIII.
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CPIN Update
The next CPIN administrator meeting will be a video conference on May 14, 8:30-12.
The topic is Preschool Language and literacy Foundations. A save-the-date has been sent
out.
There will be CPIN teacher training on the same topic on May 16, 8:30-12. It will be
held at the Windmill in Buellton.
Retreat Planning
Registration information for the Retreat has been sent out. Alternates are encouraged to
attend and members have been asked to bring a potential member with them. The
registration fee covers the Lake cruise. Lunch is being donated.
Strategic Plan Committee is meeting after Steering to work on Retreat planning.
Nominating Committee Update
A nominee for Secretary/Treasurer has not been identified. The committee will continue
to pursue other suggestions.
Individuals who have been recommended for Council membership need to receive
written information about membership and application forms.
The timeline for recruitment and approval of new members for 09-10 may have to be
delayed somewhat to allow more time to recruit additional members. Usually the goal is
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to have new members approved by the Superintendent and BOS in June so they are ready
to become full voting members in July.
XIV.
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XV.
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Coordinator Report
The report was distributed electronically.
There were no questions.
It was noted that Emerald Wave radio has requested suggestions for people to participate
in a radio show on April 19 that will inform the Mixteco audience about subsidized child
care. The participants need to be knowledgeable about the subject and fluent Spanish
speakers. We are waiting to hear back about how many people they want to participate
and how they will join the show – by telephone or at a studio. Karin has suggested JoAnn
Rodriguez and Maggie Espinoza as potential participants.
The Orfalea Retreat will be April 30 –May 2 in Pasadena. A Council representative has
been invited to attend. Karin had planned to represent the Council but is now unable to
attend. Jennifer agreed to go if it is not too late to register. Valerie will follow up.
Agenda for April Council Meeting
Public Input on Proposed County Priorities
VOTE: Approve amended Priorities
VOTE: Approve Request to County and City Governments to send letters concerning
SRR
VOTE: Approve Revised Council Budget for 2008-2009 and Proposed Council Budget
for 2009-2010
Distribution of Q Campaign Materials Reports
Presentation of Slate of Council Officers
The ABC’s of the Federal Stimulus Package and its Potential for Local Child Care.
XVI. Agenda for April Steering Committee Meeting
 Final Retreat planning.
 For May Steering agenda: 2009-2010 AB 212 Plan.
XVII. Other Business/Announcements: none
XVIII. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 1:25 pm
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