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Kids First Advisory Board Meeting
Tuesday April 16th 11:15AM-1:15PM
Yellow Brick lower-level training room and Zoom
In attendance: Stefan Reveal, Logan Hood, Chad Schmit, Mimi Hauenstein, Katherine Coleman, Jessica
Garrow, Sara Lowe, Megan Monaghan, and Natalie Eudaly.
Guest: Danny Hundert, Liz Beckwith, Morgan Fixel, Ramona Bruland
Approved Minutes from 01/16/24 Mimi Motioned, Logan Seconds, KFAB minutes approved.
Public Comment, Open Forum, 3 Minutes: Morgan Fixel spoke during this time, she comes from a tech
background and has a 14-month-old child. Morgan expressed frustration regarding how difficult it is to get
infant care because of capacity and lack of infant childcare programs. She expressed interest in creating a
business plan to help families across the valley with 2 to 5-month-olds gain access to care for their infants
through either infant care co-working between families or a nanny share service. The board validated that
the desire for additional infant care is there and are open to hearing any new ideas to help with this need.
Director Conversation-Ajax Cubs: Liz Beckwith and Danny Hundert (2 of 3 directors at Ajax Cubs)
expressed that operating on solely an infant room is not sustainable, Ajax Cubs need their preschool and
pre-k rooms at capacity as well to bring in enough money to support the program. Preschool rooms are,
however, difficult to bring to capacity since families wait to enroll their children in September and typically
only enroll at that time. Regardless of any of this, Ajax Cubs expressed their gratitude towards Kids First
and the grants provided to them. Without these grants, Danny stated that their program would not be
possible. Kids First plans on taking an advertisement out in the newspaper in the future to advertise what
ages programs are accepting in addition to what positions are available for employment at these programs
to help bring these programs to capacity and have the appropriate amount of staff to support these
children.
P&Z Update: On 04/02 the land use application was approved by P&Z for Burlingame. First reading to
council is on 04/23, and second reading will commence on 05/28. Kids First would love the support of the
board during these council meetings, especially at the May council date. There was discussion surrounding
whether it would be helpful if KFAB members can meet with council members individually to discuss why
childcare is so important, these meetings could potentially help council members see where Kids First and
the Advisory Board are coming from and the history of the Burlingame Early Childhood Education Center.
KFAB Bylaws and Board Terms: Jessica and Stefan’s board terms are coming up in June. At this point it will be
time for any/all applicants to apply. The city will hold another round of interviews in June or July. Clerk’s office will
reach out to board members and ask them to fill out a new application online then set up interviews with council.
QI Grant Applications: Kids First allocated $71,000 for quality improvement grants for the childcare
programs. These funds will go towards professional development for teachers and directors. Stefan
motioned for all applied for funds to be approved, Katherine seconds, board approves.
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New Programs: Kids First is in the brainstorming phase of a few new programs that can benefit programs
as well as teachers. These programs include the teacher stipend grant (teachers can get reimbursed up to
$100 for any professional development class taken outside of work hours), Community Innovation Grant
(for programs to apply for to address childcare gaps such as funding advertising, childcare apps, etc .) and
the Kids First Childcare Housing Initiative (the board will pitch to APCHA to change the defini tion of
essential worker to include early childhood educators to give them priority when it comes to housing).
Snowmass Childcare Conversation: Kids First leadership staff has spoken with Town of Snowmass
manager and assistant manager regarding the demand for childcare in Snowmass and plans for
development. The town is planning a renovation/addition to Little Red Schoolhouse. Gaps in childcare
needs in Snowmass, some parents are interested in nanny share or home childcare; Kids First would love
to support any of these efforts by assisting potential home childcare programs become licensed and
providing grants (like the community innovation grant) to help with start-up costs. In coordination with
Morgan Fixel and the town of Snowmass, Kids First is hopeful to bridge this gap. Can support any licensed
childcare endeavors.
Month of the Young Child Events in May:
1. Mon. May 6th @ 4PM- Aspen City Council Proclamation: Proclamation for May – “Month of the Young Child”
at City Council Chambers
2. Wed. May 8th @ 12PM- Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners: Proclamation for May – “Month of
the Young Child” at BOCC. Meeting Room, 1st floor.
3. Wed. May 15th- Read With Me Day: This special event includes 30 volunteers from the Roaring Fork Valley
reading to over 400 children in childcare settings from Aspen to Basalt
4. Wed. May 22nd @ 10AM- Annual Aspen Children’s Parade: Starts at Hopkins St. between Mill St. and Galena
St. at the Aspen Fire Station. Ending with cookies at the fountain. Rain or Shine.
5. Fri. May 10th- Celebration for Provider Appreciation Day
Kids First Advisory Board Meeting
from 11:15AM until 1:15PM unless otherwise noted
July 16th – Tuesday 11:15- 12:45
October 15th - Tuesday 11:15- 12:45