HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20250415.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
Tuesday April 15, 2025, 11:15 am -1:15 pm
In attendance: Nancy Nichols, Megan Monaghan, Sara Lowe, Stefan Reveal, Chad Schmit, Katherine Coleman, Mimi
Hauenstein, Sue Way, Logan Hood, Diana Esquivel.
Desired Outcomes:
• Grant Approvals:
Motion to approve all Quality Improvement and Professional Development grants as presented, Logan
motioned, Katherine seconds, Kids First Advisory Board approves.
• No co-chair elected. Co-chair nomination and election moved to the next Kids First Advisory Board
meeting.
• 2025 Yellow Brick Childcare space
A motion was made to approve the lease of Room #1 at the Yellow Brick Building for the current tenant, Ajax
Cubs. Stefan motioned, Sara second, motion approved. **
• January 21, 2025 meeting minutes approved, motion Mimi, Logan seconds, Kids First Advisory Board approved.
• November 19, 2025 Special Meeting minutes approved, Chad motioned, Sue seconds, Kids First Advisory Board
approved.
Discussion items:
• Review and Approval of Quality Improvement and Professional Development Grants
o Kids First staff shared information and reviewed each childcare program’s Quality Improvement grants.
Questions about needs versus wants were reviewed.
o Kids First staff reviewed each childcare program’s Professional Development grant requests. Discussion
included questions about classes for ASD are in addition to the required hours and does the district pay.
Staff will discuss this further with Aspen School District.
• Discussed Yellow Brick Classroom #1
Kids First Advisory Board discussed the option for Ajax Cubs to lease room #1 when it’s available in
June. The Kids First Advisory board agreed that Ajax Cubs should have priority to lease this space as
suggested in the current leases for the Yellow Brick property.
** This approval is contingent upon Ajax Cubs meeting the expected use requirements and
performance standards outlined in the lease agreement.
• Kids First Provider Survey and Annual Report discussed and presented.
Megan shared the Kids First annual report. The Kids First Advisory Board members were reminded to share
this report whenever necessary. This is a great representation of Kids First work, and it helps to inform the
Aspen community about Kids First commitment to supporting childcare in our area.
• Update on Community Childcare Needs Assessment and Survey process.
The Childcare needs survey is live, please share from Aspen to Parachute. The survey will close at
the end of May. Final report at the end of August.
• CECE Update on the Ballot measure
The coalition is moving forward with efforts to collect signatures from registered voters in Garfield, Eagle, and
the local area to qualify a childcare funding initiative for placement on the 2025 or 2026 ballot.
With support from the county commissioners of Garfield, Pitkin, and Eagle counties, the coalition is pursuing the
creation of a new taxing district. This district would implement a 0.25% sales tax in each of the three counties,
with all revenue dedicated to funding childcare services across the region.
Additional details about the initiative can be found at https://cececoalition.org/
• Kids First policies- revising policies- a goal for 2025
Megan informed the Kids First Advisory Board that one of the staff’s key goals for 2025 is to develop a
comprehensive policies manual for Kids First. Over time, numerous policies have been created or revised, but
there is currently no centralized source where all policies are documented.
Many of these policies are embedded in various historical documents and agreements, making them
difficult to access and reference. To address this, the Kids First staff will be conducting a thorough
review of both current and past policies.
Throughout this process, staff will seek input and guidance from the Advisory Board to ensure the
resulting manual is accurate, complete, and reflective of Kids First’s values and practices. This work will
continue over the remainder of the year.
Additional item:
• Kids First Housing Initiative Plan- Get the ball rolling, buy units or prioritize educators.
Kids First staff and the Advisory Board discussed next steps for advancing a housing initiative to support
childcare teachers in our region. The conversation explored several possible directions, with consensus forming
around prioritizing efforts to designate childcare providers as a priority or essential group within the
Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA) program.
The Advisory Board has previously gathered information on this topic, and a review of that material will be the
starting point for moving forward. In addition to pursuing APCHA prioritization, the Board also identified the
potential for purchasing a housing unit specifically for rental by childcare teachers as an alternative approach.
Megan will follow up with Emily Kolbe, who leads the Kids First Advisory Board housing group, to coordinate
next steps. Further discussion and direction will be included on the agenda for the July meeting.
• Thanks to Logan for her dedication and service on the Kids First Advisory Board. She will be missed.
Quarterly on the Third Tuesday of the month from 11:15am – 1:15pm
July 15, 2025
October 21, 2025
January 20, 2026
April 21, 2026
July 21, 2026