HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20230308.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
Wednesday, March 8th, 2023
Monthly Meeting
In attendance: Stefan Reveal, Jessica Garrow, Sue Way, Logan Hood, Mimi Hauenstein, Nancy Nichols, Megan
Monaghan
Approves Minutes from January 30th, 2023: Jessica motioned, Sue second, KFAB approved.
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
● Review Compass plan goals, Council update and Yellow Brick Capital projects
Compass Goals
Kids First staff reported to the Kids First Advisory Board with information on the City of Aspen
Compass Goals. These goals include –
o Sustain existing and new programs to support and inform capacity needs for families in the
community.
o Strengthen Early Childhood workforce recruitment and retention.
o Ensure Kids First City of Aspen Resources have maximum positive impact.
o Set direction for Kids First under new leadership.
City Council Update
Kids First staff will report to Aspen City Council on April 24th. This update will include information on
the new Wage Enhancement and Rent waiver programs along with information on Ajax Cubs and Little
Steps College.
At this time, we are seeing, hearing and discussing the success of these programs. The childcare
programs will be checking-in with Kids First staff over the next weeks. A summary of this information
will be shared with City Council and the Kids First Advisory Board.
Yellow Brick Building Capital Report
The Yellow Brick projects are on schedule. These projects include:
Yellow Brick Sewer clean out and upgrade.
Yellow Brick Building Entrances.
Yellow Brick common area flooring.
Understand Board Member Extensions
Kids First staff reported that two Kids First Advisory Board members terms will be ending in June 2023.
These members have expressed interest in continuing to be on the advisory board. The City of Aspen
will advertise the openings in early June. The current members will be asked to apply for the open
positions and to interview. The City Clerks office requests that they apply online.
● Discuss and decide on TEACH scholarship requirements.
Historically the Kids First Professional Development funding for childcare program staff has had a
requirement that all childcare staff first apply for the TEACH scholarship program. This application has
been advantages, in the past. In previous years Kids First has contributed funding for the TEACH
scholarships. Kids First is not funding these scholarships and the application process has created barriers
for some childcare staff. Kids First staff is recommending that the requirement for childcare staff to
apply for the TEACH scholarship be waived. Kids First Advisory Board and staff agreed to remove this
requirement from the Professional Development Grant of 2023.
● Discuss and decide on Infant/Toddler grant quarterly reporting documents.
Kids First staff recommended a change in the reporting requirements for the Infant/Toddler grants. It
was agreed that the data gathered from this grant could be received in a different way. The importance
of continuing to collect information around Infant Toddler capacity was discussed. Kids First Staff will
design and develop a new mechanism to collect capacity information, both desired capacity and real
time capacity numbers. Additionally, Kids First staff will continue to request enrollment data from the
providers who receive the Infant/Toddler grant funds.
NEW TIME, DAY, AND DATES FOR KIDS FIRST ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
The First Wednesday of the month (except March 2023)
11:15 – 12:45
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Wednesday – April 5th
Wednesday – May 3rd
Wednesday – June 7th
Wednesday – July 5th
Wednesday – August 2nd
Wednesday – September 6th
Wednesday – October 4th
Wednesday – November 1st
Wednesday – December 6th