HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20220603.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 3, 2022 – 11:30 AM
In attendance: Stefan Reveal, Chad Schmit, Rebecca Paschal, Jessica Garrow, Mimi Hauenstein, Michaela
Idhammar-Ketpura, Shirley Ritter, Nancy Nichols Guest: Kate Kalstein & 6 Public visitors
Approved minutes from April 6, 2022: Jessica moved to approve, Michaela seconded, MPU.
Public comment – No public members chose to comment
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
● Understand Capacity goal next steps
City Council Work session June 20th, Shirley will get childcare capacity critical goal update memo to
City Council by June 13th
CMC – in conversation with potential new providers
Yellow Brick – RFP for operation of a program in the Yellow Brick closes on June 9th. Beginning July
3 rooms are available and in Sept 1 additional room will be available.
Do we want to have a subcommittee or special group to review RFP’s for the Yellow Brick? The Kids
First Advisory Board agreed that a sub committee would work best. Kids First staff will send on email
asking for committee volunteers and then the group will find a date to review proposals.
Burlingame – The design team has sent out information asking for feedback on the planning and
design. There are currently 4 options with these including parking, housing and childcare. They would
like to receive ranked feedback on the options and any comments or additional thoughts. Shirley has told
the group that city council has asked for design options that include housing.
The team has put together a Design Advisory Group (DAG) that includes people from The City of
Aspen Asset, Parks, Environmental Health departments and two childcare directors Sue Way, Tina
Person.
There will be at least two more neighborhood meetings, 78 surveys have been received with community
feedback.
Presentation by Kate Kalstein: Kate offered a power point presentation with a summary of the
information she has collected to date and direction for the planned Aug 3rd, 2022 retreat and review.
Kate will share a copy of her report with Shirley and stakeholders prior to June 30th, 2022. Along with
the community report Kate would like to move forward with a focus on a larger conversation about a
regional early childhood alignment and outreach.
Shirley reviewed the Kids First Intern progress. Our first intern started with little training in ECE
and is now early childhood teacher qualified and has a job offer from a program in Pitkin County.
Stefan requested Shirley bring back information on the cost start to end for the intern to understand if
there is an opportunity to expand the program in the future.
VIP incentive is open now for applications from teachers. Range is $500 - $1200 for this 6 month
period.
Stefan has a meeting with city staff to find a way to acquire 1 or 2 bedroom units to rent to ECE
teachers. The intent is to support their housing needs and retention within the Urban Growth
Boundary.
• Agree on policy for funding capital improvements in childcare centers
Capital Improvements conversation to update the policy for funding.
➢ Jessica moved to update the criteria for capital improvement grants to include the following:
Proof of seeking 2 qualified bids; no more than 50% of the total cost. Stefan seconded. MPU.
• General staff updates from Shirley.
o Received 14 new applications for financial aid. The committee worked through those to
match qualified needs.
o Continuing to look to fill open Kids First staff positions.
o Fluxx program chosen by city to use for applications. Kids First will use for financial aid
applications, incentives, and grants. Hoping for roll out in the fall.
o “Compass” plan is tied to Kids First work plan with 4 goals for the department. New format
this year. Shirley anticipates being able to share next month with the board.
Stefan moved to adjourn.
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
City Council Worksession – June 20, 2022, 4 pm
Friday, July 8
Friday, August 5
Friday, September 9
Friday, October 7
Friday, November 4
Friday, December 2