EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OCTOBER 13, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 8, 2021, meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar b. Brief updates on child care and pre-K systems in Austin- Cathy McHorse c. Discuss strategies and next steps regarding child care subsidy system- Anna Lisa Conlin d. Joint Inclusion Committee updates- Raul Alvarez i. ii. Priority issues adopted by the JIC ECC priority issues for JIC 3. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Approve 2022 meeting calendar b. Census data trends c. Update from Child Inc. on Head Start ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Rachel Farley, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5093 or email: Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Early Childhood Council, please contact Rachel Farley, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5093 or email: Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov.
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, October 13, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse; Vice Chair Worthington; Members Hosking Pulido, Gordon, Alvarez, Wren, Huston, Schennum, Paver, Bliss Lima, Hedrick, and Conlin Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley, and Donna Sundstrom CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL – No citizen communication 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 8, 2021, meeting – Member Hedrick moved to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved by a vote of 9-0 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar Staff liaisons Farley and Oliver shared considerations for keeping the ECC regular meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. for 2022. If the ECC were to schedule evening meetings for 2022, it may be more difficult to hold meetings at City Hall because many other Boards and Commissions have evening meetings. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECC considered a calendar with 2 evening meetings at locations that would be more convenient for community participation following requests for evening meetings from community organizations. Right now, all attendees must be in-person to participate. However, there is a City Council meeting agenda item to ask the City Manager to offer virtual options for Boards and Commissions meetings. Member Wren asked about having an ECC committee or workgroup meet in the evenings to get more community engagement. Member Gordon shared that the community engagement work group meets virtually from 3:30-4:40 p.m. If the ECC were to create a committee that would meet regularly, then the committee would need to post meeting agendas. Chair McHorse suggested that the staff liaison confirm the rules for committees and workgroups and whether there are virtual options for committee meetings. She also suggested meeting in the evening for April, which is also the Month of the Young Child, and in August, because that is the month that the ECC meeting typically not able to meet at City Hall on Wednesday morning due to City budget meetings. All other months, the ECC would keep meetings at 8:30 a.m., the second Wednesday of the month. Members supported having two evening meetings and for having one meeting in North Austin and one south. Staff liaison agreed to type up a proposed ECC 2022 …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 8, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from August 16, 2021 meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Discussion on Child Care Subsidies – Guest: Nicole Robinson, Director of Child Care Contracts, Workforce Solutions Capital Area b. Community Engagement Work Group updates- Community experiences navigating child care systems c. Policy Work Group updates i. City Economic Prosperity Commission exploring concerns about child care ii. City Council approved Inclusion of child care as requested use in competitive real estate processes and in lease, acquisition, or redevelopment of City property iii. Child Care Regulations translated Listed Family Home Standards into Spanish iv. Digital Inclusion and Early Childhood b. Winter Storm Review Task Force final report update- Aletha Huston c. ECC topics to take to Joint Inclusion Committee 3. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Census data trends ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Rachel Farley, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5093 or email: Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Early Childhood Council, please contact Rachel Farley, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5093 or email: Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov.
ECC Member Questions for Workforce Solutions Capital Area 9/8/2021 1. Is there an ongoing mechanism to confidentially track family satisfaction with the Workforce Solutions processes? If so, can we review the data/information? If not, is this currently in future plans? 2. What mechanisms are in place to gather feedback on process issues (application process, client questions, general communications, etc.) from families? 3. What role can the City of Austin play in improving the family interaction with Workforce Solutions? 4. What mechanisms are in place to gather feedback on process issues (application process, client questions, general communications, etc.) from child care providers and community organizations working with families? 5. What mechanisms are in place or can be created to use feedback (from families, providers, and community organizations) to identify when challenges and concerns raised are not only impacting individual families, but are more widespread and systemic? 6. Does Workforce Solutions believe that systemic process change is needed to better serve families? If not, what would it take to create that felt need? If there is agreement that systemic process change is needed, what are the plans to do so? a. Who is involved in the design? b. What funding is available? c. What is the timing? 8. What is the easiest click path to access the online application, aside from someone sending a parent/client a direct link? 9. What training is required for intake staff who manage and process applications and support clients through this process? How is this training funded? Are City of Austin funds utilized for that at all, or could they be? 10. Are the parenting virtual series provided in Spanish? 7.
ARPA Funding Recommendations from Success By 6 Early & UWATX City of Austin approved $11 million for the following recommendations. Recommendation Child care fund for Workforce program grads to mitigate benefits cliff Increase Continuity of Care funding UWATX Pre-K Partnerships Hub to expand access to public Pre-K Expand/sustain family/home-based child care networks Plan and pilot non traditional hours child care system Plan and implement shared services alliance Expand wage supplements and tuition support to recruit and retain qualified early childhood educators Cost of living increase for Ready Families Collaborative programs Family Connects Program expansion by 2,000 births per year and program evaluation DVISD- Expand access to Pre-K4 for those who do not meet state income eligibility but cannot afford Pre-K 4 tuition AISD 1- Full day care for Pre-K 3 (highest option total = $4,125,000) AISD 2- Expand 2-Gen Families as Partners Program Scale United Way’s ConnectATX free navigation service 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 3-year total amounts requested Recommendation Link $4,500,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,500,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,200,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,000,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,000,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,500,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,000,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $250,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $3,540,000 Family Connects Supplemental Rec for Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,500,000 DVISD Supplemental Rec for Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,375,000 AISD Proposals to Support High Quality Early Education $429,150 AISD Proposals to Support High Quality Early Education $550,000 UWATX Rebuilding Systems Recs- social svc navigation, WF dev't, school-age child care 14 15 16 Expand 2-Gen United Way workforce development program for young parents with low income in middle skill job training Improve school-age child care in Austin- Youth Program Quality Instrument to assess 36 sites and make site improvement plans Embed Americorps VISTA early literacy and math tutors in out of school time programs $300,000 UWATX Rebuilding Systems Recs- social svc navigation, WF dev't, school-age child care $250,000 UWATX Rebuilding Systems Recs- social svc navigation, WF dev't, school-age child care UWATX Rebuilding Systems Recs- social svc navigation, WF dev't, school-age child care $625,000 $20,519,150
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, September 8, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse; Vice Chair Worthington; Members Gordon, Alvarez, Huston, Hedrick, Conlin, and Schennum Staff in attendance: Rachel Farley, Caitlin Oliver, Donna Sundstrom, and Cindy Gamez CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:41 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL – No citizen communication 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from August 16, 2021, meeting – Member Hedrick moved to approve the minutes. Member Conlin seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Discussion on Child Care Subsidies – Guest: Nicole Robinson, Director of Child Care Contracts, Workforce Solutions Capital Area Early Childhood Council (ECC) members asked Nicole Robinson questions based on both oral (at City of Austin ECC meeting) and written community feedback about the child care subsidy system and services by Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Feedback pointed to the need for increased funding to expand the subsidy program and to reengineer the process by which parents interact with Workforce Solutions (WFS). A list of the questions ECC members prepared to ask WFS is included as a backup document for this meeting on the ECC website. Question 1 - Is there an ongoing mechanism to confidentially track family satisfaction with the Workforce Solutions processes? If so, can we review the data/information? WFS tracks customer feedback from the website and the communications team sends daily communications to the child care or workforce team, as is relevant. There is also a monthly report about compiled about the comments and questions WFS receives. WFS has explored doing more direct parent surveys. In the past they have had low response rates to parent surveys. WFS can extract childcare pieces from the monthly feedback reports and share them with ECC members. Question 2 - What mechanisms are in place to gather feedback from families on process issues (application process, client questions, general communications, etc.)? Robinson expressed appreciation for the feedback from parents and future customers that ECC shared with WFS. At the monthly provider meetings, WFS shares out the email address that parents can use to connect with WFS with concerns and inquiries. Parents are encouraged to reach out via email or phone so that the relevant unit can follow up. Parents can also provide feedback on the …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Called Early Childhood Council Meeting August 16, 2021 A Special Called Early Childhood Council meeting to be held 8/16/2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (8/15/2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Early Childhood Council Meeting, members of the public must: •Email or call the board liaison at Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov or 512-663-2792 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live (Note, the Early Childhood Council meetings are not broadcast live.) Reunión Especial del Early Childhood Council 16 de agosto de 2021 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (15 de agosto antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Envíe un correo electrónico o llame al enlace de la junta en Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov o 512-663- 2792 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que …
CHILD CARE SERVICES Workforce Solutions Capital Area is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available, upon request, to persons with disabilities. Relay Texas: 1.800.735.2989 (TDD) / 711 (Voice) www.wfscapitalarea.com 1 Agenda 1. Programmatic Information 2. Direct Services 3. Eligibility Requirements 4. Enrollment & Recertification Overview 5. How To Apply 6. Local Match 7. Continuity of Care 8. Special Projects 9. Quality Initiatives 10. Community Engagement 2 Programmatic Info Child Care and Development Block Grant Funding (CCDBG) • The Child Care Services (CCS) program is directed by federal and state rules, state policies and guidance, and local policies. • Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the Lead Agency in Texas. TWC contracts with 28 Local Workforce Development Boards throughout the state. • As the Texas Workforce Development Board for Capital Area ,we are responsible for the administration of the subsidized child care program in Travis County. Funding is invested in two ways to serve the families in our community. Through direct child care services to promote economic self sufficiency for low-income families and quality investments that support healthy development and school readiness needs of children. C C E H P A 3 Direct Child Care Services Target: 2,795 children served per day PRIORITY GROUP 1 MANDATORY POP. PRIORITY GROUP 2 DISCRETIONARY POP. Guaranteed child care services • Choices Services dependent upon availability of funds • Children needing protective care • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) • Children of a qualified veteran or qualified spouse Applicant • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) • Former Choices • Children of a foster youth • Children experiencing homelessness • Children of parents on military deployment • Children of teen parents • Children with disabilities C C E H P A 4 Direct Child Care Services Target: 2,795 children served per day PRIORITY GROUP 3 BOARD-APPROVED POPULATION Services dependent upon availability of funds • Pre-K Partnerships • Former CPS • Siblings of children currently receiving care • Children of customers who are participating in TWC workforce funded programs (WIOA), the WERC Program or other Special Projects defined by the Board where child care is needed for customers to participate while working/training in a program designed to help the customer achieve self-sufficiency. • Children of young adults between the ages of 16-24 at the time of enrollment. Young adults will be participating in a program operated by an Austin Opportunity …
ARPA Funding Recommendations from Success By 6 Early & UWATX City of Austin approved $11 million for the following recommendations. Recommendation Child care fund for Workforce program grads to mitigate benefits cliff Increase Continuity of Care funding UWATX Pre-K Partnerships Hub to expand access to public Pre-K Expand/sustain family/home-based child care networks Plan and pilot non traditional hours child care system Plan and implement shared services alliance Expand wage supplements and tuition support to recruit and retain qualified early childhood educators Cost of living increase for Ready Families Collaborative programs Family Connects Program expansion by 2,000 births per year and program evaluation DVISD- Expand access to Pre-K4 for those who do not meet state income eligibility but cannot afford Pre-K 4 tuition AISD 1- Full day care for Pre-K 3 (highest option total = $4,125,000) AISD 2- Expand 2-Gen Families as Partners Program Scale United Way’s ConnectATX free navigation service 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 3-year total amounts requested Recommendation Link $4,500,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,500,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,200,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,000,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,000,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,500,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,000,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $250,000 Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $3,540,000 Family Connects Supplemental Rec for Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,500,000 DVISD Supplemental Rec for Transforming the ATX Early Childhood System $1,375,000 AISD Proposals to Support High Quality Early Education $429,150 AISD Proposals to Support High Quality Early Education $550,000 UWATX Rebuilding Systems Recs- social svc navigation, WF dev't, school-age child care 14 15 16 Expand 2-Gen United Way workforce development program for young parents with low income in middle skill job training Improve school-age child care in Austin- Youth Program Quality Instrument to assess 36 sites and make site improvement plans Embed Americorps VISTA early literacy and math tutors in out of school time programs $300,000 UWATX Rebuilding Systems Recs- social svc navigation, WF dev't, school-age child care $250,000 UWATX Rebuilding Systems Recs- social svc navigation, WF dev't, school-age child care UWATX Rebuilding Systems Recs- social svc navigation, WF dev't, school-age child care $625,000 $20,519,150
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Monday, August 16, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Monday, August 16, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse; Members Gordon, Alvarez, Wren, Huston, Paver, Hedrick, and Conlin Staff in attendance: Rachel Farley, Caitlin Oliver CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL – No citizen communication 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from June 9, 2021 meeting – Member Hedrick moved to approve the minutes. Member Huston seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group updates i. American Rescue Plan Act funding- Anna Lisa Conlin Member Conlin reported that Travis County approved 15 months of ARPA funding and will then reassess future funding. Can be used for up to 3 years, with 15-month assessment periods. The approved funding matches the original Success by 6 recommendations. Staff liaison Rachel Farley added that the recommendations for the extension of existing funding may move more quickly. Of the recommendations that are new funding, the Del Valle ISD interlocal agreement (ILA) is the farthest along. Chair McHorse encouraged attendees to extend a thank you to their City Council member for approving the ARPA funding for early childhood. ii. U.S. Chamber of Commerce report on lack of affordable child care- Tom Hedrick Member Hedrick updated members about two forthcoming studies that report on the economic consequences of inadequate child care in Texas. The studies look at both the availability of child care seats available and quality of programs. The Ready Nation (subgroup of Council for a Strong America) report estimates a $3.5-4 billion cost to Texas in the pre-natal to 3 arena. This report is to be published soon. Uncertain on when the US Chamber of Commerce report will be released. It addresses pre-natal to 6, and estimates a cost that is roughly double that of the Ready Nation report. The variables that go into calculating the economic costs are things like: Getting parents back to work and how child care relates to that; Parents that would have to stay home can now work; Parents who are working will be this much more productive and won’t miss work; Productivity and breakdowns in child care and absences due to child care, etc. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, participation in the workforce by parents with …
Versión en español a continuación. Early Childhood Council Meeting August 11, 2021 Early Childhood Council meeting to be held 8/11/2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (8/10/2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Early Childhood Council Meeting, members of the public must: •Email or call the board liaison at Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov or 512-663-2792 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live (Note, the Early Childhood Council meetings are not broadcast live.) Reunión del Early Childhood Council 11 de agosto de 2021 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (10 de agosto antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Envíe un correo electrónico o llame al enlace de la junta en Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov o 512-663- 2792 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar). • Una …
Versión en español a continuación. Early Childhood Council Meeting June 9, 2021 Early Childhood Council meeting to be held 6/9/2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (6/8/2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Early Childhood Council Meeting, members of the public must: •Email or call the board liaison at Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov or 512-972-6216 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live (Note, the Early Childhood Council meetings are not broadcast live.) Reunión del Early Childhood Council 9 de junio de 2021 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (8 de junio antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Envíe un correo electrónico o llame al enlace de la junta en Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov o 512- 972-6216 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar). • Una …
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 9, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse; Vice Chair Worthington; Members Hosking Pulido, Gordon, Alvarez, Huston, Bliss Lima, Hedrick, and Conlin Staff in attendance: Cindy Gamez, Leila Lawson, Filip Gecic, Mary Jamsek, Donna Sundstrom CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL – Khotan Harmon, 2021 Digital Inclusion Fellow, Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs, City of Austin 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from May 12, 2021 meeting - Member Huston moved to approve the May 12, 2021 meeting minutes and member Hedrick seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a vote of 9-0 2. PRESENTATIONS a. Updates on Dove Springs Public Health Facility – Kalpana Sutaria, Project Manager from Public Works; Kymberley Maddox and Donna Sundstrom, Assistant Directors, Austin Public Health Presenters shared schematic design of the health care facility showing different views, including the child care facility. Outdoor learning area is not designed yet. All renderings were shared with the Dove Springs community. Dove Springs Public Health Facility Taskforce members helped distribute a survey (English/Spanish) to ensure City was on the right path with the design. 92 respondents. Strong support for design concept. Community wanted it to be a modern design and excited about the child care center. Still working on interior floor plan design and will seek feedback from the taskforce. Staff are working on answering questions from the survey including connections to transportation. Current budget estimate is at $15M for construction during schematic design phase. This is $2.8M over-budget. Cost drivers are high construction and material costs. Additionally, the cost of a high-quality child care center was not in the original 2018 bond election. Cost saving options do not impact any of the proposed services. Coordinating with Parks and Recreation Dept. to include Inclusive Play Equipment for the Dove Springs Metro Park near the recreation center. Revised site plan of the building includes removal of a large parking lot. Parking spaces were added to a second area that included existing parking spaces so none were lost. Revised site plan also includes leaving existing soccer fields and updating them. Full facility design and permitting will be happening early Fall 2021. Ground- breaking late Fall 2021. Construction complete by Spring 2023. Next steps include Art in Public Places beginning community engagement …
Versión en español a continuación. Early Childhood Council Meeting May 12, 2021 Early Childhood Council meeting to be held 5/12/2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (5/11/2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Early Childhood Council Meeting, members of the public must: •Email or call the board liaison at Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov or 512-663-2792 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live (Note, the Early Childhood Council meetings are not broadcast live.) Reunión del Early Childhood Council 12 de mayo de 2021 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (11 de mayo antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Envíe un correo electrónico o llame al enlace de la junta en Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov o al 512- 663-2792 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar). • Una …
