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Kids First Advisory Board Meeting
Tuesday October 15th 2024 11AM-1:15PM
Yellow Brick lower-level training room and Zoom
In attendance: Morgan Fixel, Ramona Bruland, Sara Lowe, Stefan Reveal, Logan Hood, Chad Schmit, Mimi
Hauenstein, Sue Way, Katherine Coleman, Michaela Idhammar-Ketpura, Emily Kolbe, Nancy Nichols, Megan
Monaghan, and Natalie Eudaly.
Approved Minutes from 07/16/24 Logan Motioned, Mimi Seconds, KFAB minutes approved.
Advisory Member Update: Please welcome Emily Kolbe to the Kids First Advisory Board, Emily is the board’s newest
alternate member! Sue Way to step down as co-chair. There will be a formal vote at the next meeting to elect a new
co-chair.
Public Comment: Morgan Fixel has been collaborating with Kids First for a new potential childcare program/co-
working space. The Board will circle back to this item later for discussion.
Infant/Toddler Funding: At the last meeting the board discussed potentially streamlining the process for the Kids
First infant/toddler funding program. The board agreed that this funding will be a fixed amount that is awarded to
the childcare programs regardless of enrollment, however, if enrollment is under 75% of the licensed amount Kids
First would meet with the program to discuss plans to up enrollment moving forward. Sue motioned, Michaela
seconds, KFAB approved.
Budget: Kids First has successfully functioned within budget this year. The 2025 budget is being presented by
finance to council on October 28th.
Provider Survey: On 10/02 Kids First sent out a provider survey, 12 schools participated in this survey. This survey in
conjunction with the community childcare need survey and several other variables will determine the need for the
proposed Burlingame project.
Burlingame Updates/Ideas: Kids First staff have written an RFP to solicit professional consulting services to conduct
a thorough Community Childcare Needs Assessment study that leverages the expertise of an organization with
experience working in the Early Childhood Education space and develop a replicable methodology for forecasting
the need for additional childcare facilities in our community. Kids First Co-manager, Nancy Nichols suggested making
the space more flexible in its function in case the need for a childcare center and serving different ages varies in the
future.
SMV Childcare Update: Leaders in the Town of Snowmass board of county commissioners supported the
programming of expanding the Little Red Schoolhouse. $6M are designated for construction. BOCC is supportive
and gave direction for grant consultants to pursue grants on behalf of the project.
First Steps @ CMC: Helen Cayoja has officially opened her doors at CMC under the name First Steps College, she is
currently enrolling children from 6wks-18 months.
Housing Initiative: The Board agreed that they should create a sub-committee tasked with crafting a plan to tackle
the housing initiative for early childhood educators. The Housing Initiative Sub-Committee Members are as follows:
Emily Kolbe, Logan Hood, Michaela Idhammar-Ketpura, and Chad Schmit. Stefan advised the committee to review
the list of ideas for the housing initiative and prioritize the ideas that are most likely to succeed. The committee will
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enlist other members of the board and staff to assist in areas that the other party may have more experience or
expertise in. Stefan motioned, Sue seconds, KFAB approved.
Morgan Fixel and Co-Working/Childcare Idea: Kids First staff propose scheduling a special meeting soon to discuss
Morgan Fixel’s co-working/childcare idea. Morgan has done years of research and has been working closely with
Kids First to attempt to start a space where parents could have a space to work, have a cup of coffee with friends,
etc. all while their infant is in a childcare center within the same building. The board will discuss the level of support
and financial involvement in a special meeting next month on Tuesday November 19th at the 11:15AM.
Senior Coach Position: Kids First spent the last 3 months interviewing candidates for a second coach and is excited
to announce that Adele Melnick formerly of Basalt Preschool, will be joining the team as the new Senior Quality
Improvement Administrator for Kids First. Adele comes to Kids First with 18 years of experience as a program
director as well as her master’s degree, Kids First is very excited to welcome Adele to the team! This will be a great
opportunity for Kids First to expand their quality improvement initiative to director and leadership training in
addition to teacher training and quality improvement coaching.
Buddy Program, Aspen Family Connections, Aspen Youth Center Event Details.
Kids First Advisory Board Meeting
from 11:15AM until 1:15PM unless otherwise noted
November 19th – Tuesday 11AM-1:15PM
January 21st, 2025 - Tuesday 11AM-1:15PM
April 15, 2025, 11:15AM -1:15PM