HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20230815.Regular
Kids First Advisory Board Meeting
Tuesday August 15th, 2023, 11:15am-12:45pm
Yellow Brick lower-level training room and Zoom
In attendance: Jessica Garrow, Logan Hood, Stefan Reveal, Sue Way, Sarah Lowe, Michaela
Idhammar-Ketpura, Mimi Hauenstein, Katherine Coleman, Nancy Nichols, Megan Monaghan
Meeting Minutes from July 18th, 2023 were approved. Sue motioned; Katherine seconded.
Kids First Advisory Board meeting minutes approved.
Welcome new Board Member – Sarah Lowe
Sue Way completed her interview with Aspen City Council. Thank you Sue for your commitment
to the Kids First mission and goals. We look forward to your continued participation and
leadership within the Kids First Advisory Board.
Chad Schmidt was out of town during the interviews but will interview with Aspen City Council
at the next available date.
Work Session and Compass Plan Overview
Kids First staff reviewed the slide presentation of the Kids First Compass Plan/Goals. These goals
will be presented to Agency Directors Team (ADT) on August 23rd and to City Council in October.
The Kids First Compass Plan/Goals Include:
• Sustain existing and new childcare programs to support and inform capacity needs for
families in the community.
• Strengthen Early Childhood workforce recruitment and retention.
• Ensure Kids First City of Aspen resources have maximum positive impact.
• Set direction for Kids First under new leadership.
Kids First staff reviewed the budget slides for ADT presentation. There was a question about
one of the slides and what “Other” represents. It was requested that the slides are reviewed,
and this information changed before ADT meeting.
Updates and discussion
• Aspen Sprouts will be closing before the end of August. The Kids First Advisory Board
discussed the importance of maintaining this space for childcare. Several people have
expressed interest and Kids First staff has offered support for individuals through
conversations and detailed information about the capacity expansion funds. Kids First
staff was directed to continue efforts to find a provider for this space and to continue
efforts to contact the building landlord and/or owner. Additionally, Kids First staff will
reach out to community members and providers to seek a new operator.
• Kids First Advisory Board discussed capacity concerns. Kids First staff shared the most
recent waitlist information and agreed to continue to seek information from area
providers to narrow down and develop a solid list of families seeking childcare.
• New leadership and BOB goal programs are being designed and shared with childcare
programs. Focus on workforce supports and development continue to be a high priority.
• The Kids First annual in-service will be on October 26th. The speaker will be Claire
Winchester who will present to the childcare program staff with a comprehensive and
engaging presentation on the topic of Creating Inclusive Classrooms. The event will be at
the Limelight Hotel and offer a day of celebration for the childcare staff in Pitkin County.
Kids First Advisory Board Meeting will be on the Third Tuesday of the month
from 11:15am until 12:45pm
Meeting schedule included:
September 19th – Tuesday
October 17th – Tuesday
November 21 – Tuesday
December 19th – Tuesday (tentative depending on the holiday plan)