HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20200605.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, June 5, 2020 11:00
In attendance: Stefan Reveal, Sue Way, Lisa Flynn, Beth Cashdan, Rebecca Pascal, Genna Collins, Jessica
Garrow, Cecelia Martin, Diane Foster, Shirley Ritter, and Nancy Nichols
• Approve minutes from May 1, 2020 Rebecca moved to approve, Beth seconded, the MPU via roll call.
• Review childcare Recovery support: Shirley shared a spreadsheet with the current financial
accounting for the childcare recovery funds to date.
Emergency Enrollment subsidy that helps programs re-open under public health orders that limit
group size below what licensing usually allows was discussed. A few programs have opened and have
received this funding. At this time, programs can now open to full license capacity, however, some are
choosing to slowly increase capacity and/or programs do not have enough families enrolled to increase
capacity to “full” licensing enrollment.
Sue moved that Kids First will continue to offer the enrollment subsidy for preschool
classrooms through the month of June. Stefan seconded, MPU.
Rent relief – The Kids First Advisory Board discussed reimbursing programs for rent, following city
guidelines for April, May and June 2020. The Kids First Board discussed whether there might be a
longer need for rent relief for the childcare programs. This was tabled for the next meeting to have more
information about ongoing needs.
Kids First Advisory Board members discussed the Yellow Brick tenants and their current use and leases.
Jenna moved that the 75% room capacity requirement in the Yellow Brick lease will be
waived through the current lease term (August 31, 2020). Beth seconded, MPU.
Member discussed ideas about childcare programs potentially changing the structure of their programs.
The Kids First Advisory Board directed Kids First staff to talk to the programs who currently have
leases and get an idea of their planned direction for the fall. The Kids First staff will send out
applications and new leases (9/1/2020 through 8/31/2020) to the tenants. The Kids First Advisory Board
emphasized that it will be important to stay aware as conditions continue to change and to be proactive if
a current tenant may need to modify their lease at the Yellow Brick.
Financial Aid – The Kids First has implemented an emergency financial aid program for families as tey
are returning to work, and who may need financial help so that their children can attend childcare. To
date a few families have applied for this benefit and staff expects more families to apply as they begin to
return to work or begin looking for employment.
Kids First Advisory Board members discussed a request from a childcare program who would like to
offer emergency financial support for families, but the program has chosen not to accept CCCAP; and
has not qualified to receive Kids First financial aid for that reason.
Rebecca moved that Kids First would allow families that use this program to apply for
Emergency Financial aid for 3 months (June, July and August 2020). Beth seconded, MPU.
Health, safety and cleaning – Kids First has been reimbursing programs for their health, safety and
cleaning needs. The state of Colorado has also provided $6000 as reimbursement to Kids First to
support these needs in our area. We have also received a donated supplies from the state for programs in
Pitkin County.
Infant capacity – Colorado Mountain College will be having a board meeting soon to consider the
short-term use of one classroom at the Aspen campus for infant care. Shirley and Ron LeBlanc are
drafting a memo to outline ideas for this partnership.
Office space – The Kids First office space is being redesigned to provide physical distancing
workspaces for the Kids First staff. This should be complete by June 19.
Kids First asked the Kids First Advisory Board to continue thinking about additional ways that we can
support the Childcare Community. Are there ways that we can support them to be successful in
maintaining their programs and moving forward in the longer term?
The Kids First Advisory Board directed Kids First staff to stay in touch with the program directors and
staff and to continue to discuss ways in which Kids First can help them be successful.
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Friday, July 10
Friday, August 14 (or no August meeting)
Friday, September 11
Friday, October 2 – site visits
Friday, November 6