HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20180301.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 Minutes
Thursday, March 1, 2018 – 11:30 – 1:30
In attendance: Sue Way, Kristen Tullar, Beth Cashdan, Stefan Reveal, Matt Zubrod, Rebecca Pascal,
Margaret Clement, Shirley Ritter, Cecelia Martin and Nancy Nichols.
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
• Approve minutes from previous meeting – February minutes MPU
• Approve 2018 financial aid application with clarification language
Cecelia Martin, Kids First Financial Aid coordinator shared with the Kids First Advisory Board information
about two financial aid changes.
Change #1 –Self-employed documentation is difficult for us to document; we had a recent application that
had conflicting information about the business address. The financial aid rules state that a family must live
or work in the urban growth area to qualify for financial aid.
After discussion, it was agreed that people who are self-employed may be asked for proof of the business
being located within the urban growth area and this proof can include a business license with an Aspen
address, utility bills, or rent agreements, for example. Additionally, it was decided that if a person is self-
employed and they can share a WIP (work in progress) report for a current project that this document could
be used to document a work address. New wording will be added to the financial aid application for
clarification, and it will be approved by the City of Aspen attorney.
Change #2 –The financial responsibility of household/parents has been in question. When an applicant is
divorced and applying for financial aid as an individual, there is documentation about which parent is
responsible for which expenses, if this applies to childcare costs, this amount is added to the applicant’s
income. Until this happens, both parent’s tax returns are to be considered as income. We also ask for annual
documentation with the new application in on May 1, to confirm any changes. New wording will be added
to the financial aid document and it will be approved by the City of Aspen attorney.
• Consider capacity questions and ideas from February meeting – This item is tabled to the April Kids First
Advisory Board meeting.
• Agree on infant toddler funding, including consequences if conditions are not met
The Little Red Schoolhouse is not in compliance with the education qualifications for the Infant/Toddler
operational funding. The grant requires that all teachers in infant/toddler classrooms complete ECE111
within 6 months of employment, unless they have a BA in ECE. Robin, the director of The Little Red
School House, came and explained the situation with staffing to the Kids First Advisory board.
▪ Kristen moved that by the end of the 3rd quarter (September30) Little Red Schoolhouse toddler teachers
will have completed or be enrolled in ECE 111; with the exception of their current teacher aid who will
receive at least 20 hours of coaching from Kids First site coach. Rebecca seconded, MPU.
If Little Red Schoolhouse does not meet these requirements then 4th quarter funding will be withheld until
compliance has been achieved. Funding requirements will still be in effect for any new teacher hired in this
classroom, and funding requirements for 2019 must also be met.
• Agree to planning for Kids First Advisory Board involvement with program directors.
Shirley presented a suggested schedule for directors to come to the Kids First Advisory Board meeting, for
site visits, and possible board member participation in director meetings
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Thursday, April 5
Thursday, May 3
Thursday, June 7
Thursday, July 12 (second Thursday if we need a meeting or do site visits this day)
Thursday, August 2
Thursday, September 6
Thursday, October 4 – could possibly do site visits this day
Thursday, November 1
Thursday, December 6