HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20221104.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, November 4, 2022 – 11:30 AM
In attendance: Stefan Reveal, Chad Schmit, Mimi Hauenstein, Michaela Idhammar-Ketpura, Rebecca Pascal, Logan
Hood, Diane Foster, Megan Monaghan, Shirley Ritter, Nancy Nichols
5 Guests on Zoom
Approved minutes from October 7th, 2022: Michaela moved to approve, Chad seconded, MPU.
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
● Understand City Council direction for Capacity goal next steps
YELLOW BRICK ENTRANCE:
Kids First Advisory Board and staff discussed the request from Aspen City Council to add a snow melt
system to the new entry stairs at the Yellow Brick. It was agreed that the Kids First Advisory Board
would like to include this system in the new entries with consideration for health and safety to the
community and to the tenants and families who use the Yellow Brick Entrances on a regular basis.
➢ Stefan moved to recommend the inclusion of a snow melt system in the new replacement
entry stairs at the Yellow Brick building. Michaela seconded, MPU.
WORKFORCE FUNDING:
Kids First Advisory Board discussed the documents that Shirley shared for the Work Force funding.
There was discussion about Council Direction, Kids First Advisory Board recommends providing full
work force funding and having Pitkin County be a partner in funding childcare programs through their
funding and their program development. Kids First staff will recognize Aspen City Council direction
and share the Kids First Advisory Board guidance at the December 5th work session with Aspen City
Council.
After continued discussion it was recommended by the Kids First Advisory Board that this funding be
offered to providers for a 5-year period with the funding tapering off years 6 through 10. The Kids First
Advisory Board also recommended that Kids First Staff require reporting from providers around their
yearly efforts in year 1-5 to increase income to the childcare program to cover this expense beginning in
year 6 and beyond. Kids First Staff was directed to talk with providers around ways to begin increasing
their tuition rates using a percentage rather than a specific dollar amount. There was also discussion
around providers increasing income to cover this expense through fund raising or other means. Providers
will need a clear agreement and understanding of the funds and their responsibilities. This program
would be managed similar to the current financial aid funding with quarterly payments to the providers
followed by quarterly reporting to Kids First. This program, like all Kids First programs, would be
offered to providers as a funding option and an agreement to participate.
RENT SUBSIDY PILOT PROGRAM:
Shirley presented documents and policies for discussion around the rent subsidy pilot program. The Kids
First Advisory Board agreed with the shared document that included definition of the program, ideas of
ways to use these funds to support the teachers. There are remaining question about data collection or
program accountability for these funds. Kids First staff will be asking Aspen City Council for more
direction with this. The Kids First Advisory Board was comfortable with staff moving forward with
finishing the design and specifics for the program.
● Agree on proposal for childcare operator for Yellow Brick Building classrooms
Kids First Staff shared the Aspen Cubs proposal for childcare in the Yellow Brick building. Kids First
Advisory Board reviewed the proposal and had the opportunity to talk to the Ajax Cubs current staff and
ask clarification questions.
➢ Stefan moved to accept the Proposal presented on October 23rd, 2022, to Kids First by Ajax
Cubs. Michaela seconded, MPU.
Kids First staff will move forward with signing a lease with Ajax Cubs and continue to assist with the
opening of a childcare program at the Yellow Brick building.
● Financial Aid Report
Kids First staff gave a brief report on the results of the calculator changes. The spread sheet shared
information around increased funding to current financial aid families and families who did not qualify
in August. Staff asked the Kids First Advisory Board to consider additional adjustments to the lowest
income families. This adjustment will be considered when the financial aid deadline and approvals are
complete, and data can be further analyzed.
● Discussion and plan for Kids First Advisory Board retreat
Kids First staff shared that they would like to have a Kids First Advisory Board retreat in January 2023
to review future plans and directions. Kids First Advisory Board members were in support of this, and
staff will move forward with planning.
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Friday, December 2
City Council goal worksession – Burlingame schematic design review – December 5
City Council worksession – Childcare-Council goal: Childcare capacity goal update – December 5th