HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20230607.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
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday June 7th 11:15am-12:45pm
Yellow Brick lower-level training room and Zoom
In attendance: Stefan Reveal, Jessica Garrow, Katherine Coleman, Mimi Hauenstein, Logan Hood
Nancy Nichols, Megan Monaghan
• Approved Minutes from May 3rd, 2023: Stefan motioned, Katherine second, Kids First
Advisory Board approved.
Desired Outcomes:
● Summer funding for “at risk children” do we want to budget for the future?
Kids First Advisory Board discussed the need for current and future funding for “at risk” children
who are not receiving summer care. It was agreed that Kids First staff would explore the possibility
of adding funding for and design a program for future f unding for at risk children in the summer.
This funded would be design as part of the Financial Aid program and Kids First would work closely
with Aspen Family Connection and UPK information for determining children in need.
Discussion Items:
• New Council Goals – Kids First staff met new council members at the Aspen City Council retreat
lunch. During this retreat, Council chose 5 strategic focus areas: One of the chosen areas is
Community Building and Health within this goal area there is an item that states “Adding
physical capacity to increase available childcare space through projects such as the Burlingame
Child Center. Kids First will continue to be a part of this conversation.
• Council work session May 2nd – Lumberyard Housing- not approved, continued. Concerns
about Lumberyard childcare space- we need to be a part of the design planning conversation
before, and during design so it’s not an afterthought. Kids First Advisory Board advises staff to
elevate the concern. Megan emailed Chris Everson, Diane Foster and Scott Miller to start the
conversation. It is not a part of the design. Diane will discuss with Sara Ott. Board asked if
subcommittee should be formed to be a part of the process. Kids First Advisory Board will
address the new findings during the next board meeting and will discuss a communication plan
and/or an activity plan and timeline to keep childcare in the bigger Lumberyard conversation.
• Burlingame childcare center- approved by council, previously Mayor Torre expressed his
opposition to this idea. He is not opposed to development of a childcare facility, but he did
wonder if Burlingame is the best place. In more current meetings Mayor Torre and the current
Aspen City Council members have agreed to continue the Burlingame conversation, to support
the forward movement and work to complete this project. Moving forward as approved.
Additional information was shared with the Kids First Advisory Board around the possibility of a
franchise being a part of this facility. Pros and cons of franchises discussed. Mimi suggested
involving big employers. Idea to put out an RFQ for franchise to take over Burlingame childcare
center.
The Burlingame discussion and future are still important conversations for the Kids First
Advisory Board to have and to participate in the continued community focus on the need for
childcare in our community.
• Nancy Nichols reviews Budget for 2024-preliminary budget due week of June 12.
• Director pipeline discussion-
o Programs staff is providing currently- leadership training.
o BOB goals, VIP incentives
o Ideas from board: work study program, co-op, universities providing pipeline/director
mentorship program.
NEW TIME, DAY, AND DATES FOR KIDS FIRST ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
July 18 - Tuesday
NEW DAY ---- The Third Tuesday of the month from 11:15 am– 12:45pm
July 18 - Tuesday
August 15 - Tuesday
September 19 - Tuesday
October 17 - Tuesday
November 21 – Tuesday
December 19 - Tuesday (tentative depending on holiday plans)