HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20221007.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, October 7, 2022 – 11:30 AM
In attendance: Stefan Reveal, Chad Schmit, Mimi Hauenstein, Michaela Idhammar-Ketpura, Sue Way, Jessica Garrow,
Rebecca Pascal, Katherine Coleman, Logan Hood, Shirley Ritter, Nancy Nichols
Warm Welcome to our new Kids First Advisory Board Member – Katherine Coleman
Approved minutes from September 9th, 2022: Jessica moved to approve, Chad seconded, MPU.
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
● Understand City Council direction for Capacity goal next steps
Stefan shared an update from the meetings that Kids First Advisory Board members had with Aspen City
Council Members: These meetings were productive, and the overall message is that Aspen City Council is
interested in supporting Kids First as we support the Childcare programs. The second message is the desire
to get the support out there as soon as we can!
There was additional discussion about childcare funding and supports being developed at The City of Aspen
and at Pitkin County. Staff will present the 2023 budget at a city council work session on October 18th. This
presentation includes increased revenue allocation and funding for programs that the Kids First Advisory
Board has been discussing and that were presented to The Aspen City Council in the work session on
September 19th, 2022
• Funding Request for Growing Years
Shirley presenting a funding request from Growing Years in Basalt. Growing Years is opening an
additional childcare classroom and changing up one of her toddler rooms. They are asking for funding of
$5,000 for furnishings.
➢ Sue moved to approve funding for Growing Years new classroom materials up to $5,000, Chad
seconded, MPU.
Shirley will work on the contract with Adele at Growing Years.
• Financial Aid Review
Shirley shared documents and a presentation on the current Kids First Financial Aid program and on the
changes that Kids First Financial Aid Committee and staff are recommending. The presentation included
examples of current data on families who are receiving financial aid and data on families who did not
qualify. With the new changes many families will receive a higher level of support and some of the families
who did not qualify in the past will now qualify. Shirley also shared information on the impact to the Kids
First budget.
➢ Jessica moved to approve increasing the maximum income for families to qualify to 6 50%
Federal Poverty Level, to reduce the expected contribution from families to begin at 10% gross
household income, Sue seconded, MPU.
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
City Council Budget work session, October 18, 4 pm
Friday, November 4
Friday, December 2
City Council goal worksession – Burlingame schematic design review – December 5