HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20191206.RegularKids First Mission: Promote the availability of quality, affordable early childhood care &
education, and provide access to early childhood information and resources.
Kids First Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Friday, December 6, 2019 – 11:30 – 1:30
Present: Margaret Clements, Stefan Reveal, Lisa Flynn, Beth Cashdan, Rebecca Pascal, Chad Schmit, Matt
Zubrod, Sue Way, Shirley Ritter, Nancy Nichols, Cecelia Martin
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
• Approve minutes from November 1st, 2019 – Rebecca moved to approve, Stefan seconded, MPU.
• Consider financial aid perspective of need as a % of income
Shirley shared information about the current Financial Aid program with our calculator currently having
500% of the federal poverty level being the maximum income to quality for our program. She discussed
the calculation percentages for what families pay for the different income levels. This information was
shared with the Kids First Advisory Board along with a request for discussion around changing the
maximum income and percentages of household income to include a family of higher income (up to
600%) and 3 children.
The Kids First Advisory Board members talked about several reasons to both increase the level and to
keep the current levels. They also discussed the budget and the potential increase in qualifying families.
After much discussion the Kids First Advisory Board agreed not to make any changes to the current
financial aid application and calculator.
The Kids First Advisory Board asked that Kids First staff do some research and share information
around the “Self-Sufficiency Standard for Colorado” levels and other possible ways to calculate financial
need in our area.
• Understand options for capacity
The City of Aspen has contracted with Ron LaBlanc to be the project manager for childcare capacity and
solutions. He will be working closely with Shirley Ritter, Kids First Advisory Board and staff to keep
the childcare capacity needs and solutions moving forward as directed by Aspen City Council. Kids
First Advisory Board requested that he come to a Kids First Advisory Board meeting in the future,
Shirley will check into this possibility.
Shirley, Ron and Sara Ott have currently divided the childcare work into 3 “buckets” for focused
discussion.
1. Bucket – Childcare at Burlingame
Shirley has met with the Aspen Fire Marshal, State Licensing Inspector and asset department; each of
these people feel that there is not physical reason the current commons building could not be finished
and used for 3 or 4 childcare classrooms.
Community agreement and support from the current families who live in Burlingame will be one of the
next steps in making this happen.
2. Bucket – Tax changes, partnerships and expansion
Shirley has met with Pitkin County BOCC to open the door for discussion on how Pitkin County might
participate in supporting Childcare capacity in Pitkin County. Pitkin County Commissioners do want to
partner and/or support the efforts.
3. Bucket # 3 – Working in partnership with CMC.
UPDATES:
• Basalt Coalition
The Town of Basalt is continuing to work on plans for childcare on parcel 2E at Willits. Shirley will
continue to attend these meetings and share additional information as it become available.
• New Board Members
Shirley met with Sara Ott and was told that we could continue current procedures for approval of new
Kids First Advisory Board members.
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Friday, February 7
Friday, March 6
Friday, April 3
Friday, May 1