HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20211001Kids 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
Friday, October 1, 2021 – 11:30 AM
Zoom meeting
Attendees: Beth Cashdan, Stefan Reveal, Rebecca Paschal, Matt Zubrod, Jessica Garrow, Sue Way, Shirley
Ritter, and Nancy Nichols
Approved Minutes from September 3rd, 2021 meeting: Sue moved, Rebecca seconded, MPU
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
• Understand next steps to achieve council critical goal
Shirley shared updates with the Kids First Advisory Board
CMC infant room
IGA is complete and City Council approval is scheduled for October 12th
Next steps = Permits, advertising childcare business opportunity, get fencing up before it snows, get
the room licensed.
money is in the budget to finish the room
Burlingame
We have been working with Jen from asset on the RFP. With the thought of adding childcare
housing the RFP will include the housing piece. We will be asking for drawings with and without
the housing. Jen is working to see if there are any entitlements that need to be changed. We hope to
have the RFP out soon and bids back by the first of the year.
Burlingame Commons
There is still the opportunity for someone to have childcare in this building. The potential childcare
person would have to work with the master board (Burlingame). Kids First would be able to help a
childcare program in this building through funding support.
Aspen Sprouts building
Kids First recently learned that this building may go up for sale. It would be a great building to
purchase. It currently has the childcare program in the lower part and one or two living units above.
More research will be completed to find out more about this building potential.
Funding
There is funding for Employer based childcare from the state. Shirley completed an application on
behalf of The City of Aspen for two grant opportunities. We haven’t heard anything on the state grant,
but we are excited to announce that the City of Aspen was accepted into the Design Workshop through
EPIC.
Shirley shared the grant information with The Town of Basalt, Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen School
District, and Aspen Valley Hospital. Aspen Valley Hospital and Aspen Ski Company are interested in
partnering and continuing to work on finding more childcare for families in Aspen and the valley.
• Understand programming/funding to support early childhood workforce
Shirley has been talking individually to the Directors of the Pitkin county programs about workforce
issues. Her main question is what they are offering to their staff, what do they need, and how would
these programs help. She is also asking about the benefits and flexibility for employees. Shirley will
compile all this information and then discuss the findings with the Kids First Advisory Board to
determine what other types of program support Kids First can offer.
Kids First is excited to report that Ski Pass deals for childcare teachers was offered to schools and this
was greatly appreciated. Additionally, Kids First has been able to negotiate and offer mental health
support to all childcare teachers through the TRIAD EAP program. This benefit will be greatly
appreciated by all the childcare programs.
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Friday, November 3rd
Friday December 3rd
Friday January 7th
Friday February 4th
Friday March 4th
Friday April 1st
Friday May 6th