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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2018-08-02RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 2, 2018 Minutes of a special meeting of the Family Advisory Board of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Room 203 of the Estes Park Town Hall on the 2nd day of August, 2018. Present: Laurie Dale Marshall Rachel Balduzzi Karen Randinitis Nancy Almond - PHONE Jodi Roman Also Ron Norris, Town Board Liaison Present: Carlie Bangs, Town Board Trustee Travis Machalek, Assistant Town Administrator Suzanna Simpson, Administration Executive Assistant Absent: Courtney Hill Tyler Schmitt John Bryant Guests: Heather O'Hayre, Larimer County Dept. of Human Services Chair Randinitis called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT: Trustee Bangs announced that EVICS is hiring for 2 positions — Parent/Education Coordinator and Bilingual Parent/Educator part-time. Both positions need to be filled as soon as possible and she encouraged the Family Advisory Board to spread the word. TRUSTEE LIAISON REPORT: Trustee Norris let the board know that his wife was doing well following surgery; no other updates. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved and seconded (Strom/Dale Marshall) to approve the July 5 meeting minutes and the motion passed unanimously. UPDATE ON COUNTY AND STATE -LEVEL CHILD CARE: Deputy Director of Human Services for Larimer County, Heather O'Hayre, gave a presentation on County and State efforts around child care. The Larimer County Department of Human Services administers all of the public benefit programs for Larimer County. The Colorado Childcare Assistance Program is undergoing the most significant changes due to funding and legislation. Funding was impacted significantly in 2015 due to legislation (HB13-1317). Discussion continued around other legislation that may impact the mission of the Family Advisory Board, as well as other entities that are researching similar issues, including Routt County. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek knows the Deputy County Manager and will reach out and report back to the FAB. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Family Advisory Board — August 2, 2018 — Page 2 DEBRIEF ON MCATAMNEY VISIT / CONSIDERATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS: The response to Jennifer McAtamney's visit was positive. Chair Randinitis stated that 2 key takeaways for her were the importance of accurate waitlists in quantifying the childcare need, and leadership support. Discussion of how to present data to the Town Board — personal stories or hard data to convince the Town that it is their issue and the free market will not pick this up. Trustee Bangs felt that the make-up of the Council Committee in Breckenridge was an important factor in their success. Having 3 council members that were able to bring forth action items seems to have been beneficial for Breckenridge. She will bring that idea up to the Town Board. Discussion of the Town's vision/mission statement and how to revise that to be more inclusive and mention families. The Family Advisory Board feels the need to have the Town demonstrate their support of inclusivity of families and community members of all walks of life. Further discussion of how to define family and be sure that the description that accurately covers who the Family Advisory Board is representing. Member Strom suggested borrowing from the resolution recently passed by the Town Board unanimously supporting immigrants in the community. COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE: Chair Randinitis requested the removal of both the Montessori and Roots Schools from the guide, then more promotion of the document. DISCUSSION OF UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK WITH FAMILIES: Chair Randinitis let the board know that on August 21 there is a networking event for all providers in the community and she is planning to attend. She would like 2 members to go to in -home or daycare facilities to touch base with childcare families (including gathering data on how their friends who aren't using in -home or daycare are addressing their childcare needs). The number of kids on the waitlist is not completely representative of the number of kids who need care. Member Almond stated that some of the desired data is in the needs assessment. Discussion followed on data and how best to obtain it — whether through continued surveys conducted by the original consultant, or through non -scientific survey created by the Family Advisory Board. Member Almond recommends focusing on data that the group already has. Chair Randinitis would like to continue the discussion in September. Trustee Norris offered to talk to his daughter (a sociology professor) regarding research methods to reach difficult -to -contact subjects in a community. OTHER BUSINESS: Chair Randinitis announced that the Wind River Day Care Facility was up for review by the Planning Commission August 21 and she will attend the meeting to learn more and invited other board members. Seeing no other business, Chair Randinitis adjoumed the meeting at 5:33 Next Meeting The next meeting of the Family Advisory Board will take place Thursday, September 6 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 203 at Town Hall.