HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20210205Kids 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, February 5th, 2021 – 11:30 AM
Attendees: Chad Schmit, Matt Zubrod, Stefan Reveal, Sue Way, Beth Cashdan, Rebecca Pascal, Diane
Foster, Michaela Idhammar-Ketpura, Nancy Nichols, Shirley Ritter
• Approved Minutes from January 8, 2020 - Sue moved, Matt seconded, MPU
• Kids First Advisory Board welcomed new member Michaela Idhammar-Ketpura
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
• Understand D.I.E. for Kids First Advisory Board membership
New board Member Michael Idhammar makes the 7th Kids First Advisory Board member, so we are at
the desired member number of active board members. We do have 2 alternate board member positions
available and we want to make sure to think about diversity, inclusion and equity when recruiting new
members. Shirley asked the current board member to consider the gaps we may have and to share these
ideas with the board members. A few areas that were mentioned includes ethnicity (Latinx), healthcare,
safety officers, and construction. If a board member has any good candidates, please talk to them, let us
know if we can share information, and encourage them to apply through The City of Aspen.
• Understand continued programming for childcare recovery
2020 emergency funding was successful in assisting childcare programs to navigate new needs. Kids
First funded programs in the following area rent relief, class size supplements, tuition reimbursement
when classrooms closed for quarantine, cleaning and PPE supplies and emergency financial aid.
Kids First will continue to support programs with tuition reimbursement for closed classrooms, supplies
and PPE reimbursement and emergency financial aid if we continue to see Covid effect the childcare
program’s ability to remain open.
Kids First and our Nurse Consultant have been working very closely with Pitkin County Public Health
to assist, help promote and organize Covid vaccinations for Early Childhood staff. These vaccines are
supposed to be available to childcare people beginning Monday, February 8th. All the details have not
been completely figured out; however, each program will continue to receive information from Kids
First to help make sure everyone has the opportunity for the vaccination in the near future.
Currently we are seeing childcare capacity at about 70%. This is clearly down from the usual levels but
has been recovering over the past several months. Kids First would like to collect some more data about
how families are managing childcare, and what they hope for in the future. We hope to get a feel for
more family stability and as this begins to happen, we will develop a survey for the community to get a
better handle on the current childcare needs.
• Agree on recommendation for Universal Pre-K
The Kids First Advisory Board had a short discussion around the new funding for Universal Pre-K.
Shirley shared the letter that was completed by the Rocky Mountain Preschool Coalition with the group.
Shirley encouraged the group to think about these ideas and to let her know if they had additional
thoughts. We would also like to make a recommendation to Aspen City Council to support these ideas.
Although the passing of the bill last year was a good step in the right direction, there will be legislation
that enacts how the funding will be distributed
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Friday, March 5
Friday, April 2
Friday, May 7
Friday June 4
Friday July 9
Friday August