REGULAR MEETING of the EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL JANUARY 15, 2025, 9:00 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once, either in person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Cathy McHorse, Chair Eliza Gordon Cynthia McCollum Brianna Menard Hilda Rivas Ellana Selig Choquette Hamilton, Vice Chair Tom Hedrick Andrea McIllwain Alice Navarro Casie Schennum AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on November 13, 2024 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Appoint Andrea McIllwain and Eliza Gordon to the Early Childhood Council Quality-of- Life (QoL) Study Workgroup DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation from UpTogether regarding their recent work in Austin and the organization’s fiscal year 2026 budget recommendation to City Council Presenter: • Meng Qi, UpTogether Southwest Partnership Manager Presentation from Austin Public Health and the Economic Development Department regarding the implementation of a network hub for home-based child care providers in Austin-Travis County Presentation from Go Austin Vamos Austin (GAVA) regarding City of Austin investment in home-based relative (or FFN- Family, Friend, or Neighbor) child care for FY 2026 Presenters: • Michelle Mejia, Early Childhood & Family Health Lead Organizer • Monica Guzmán, Policy Director Presentation from the Success By 6 Coalition regarding budget recommendations for FY 2026 Presenter: • Barbara Grant Boneta, Director, Austin/Travis County Success By 6 Overview from the ECC Budget Workgroup of the Fiscal Year 2026 City of Austin budget process and discussion of potential ECC recommendations STAFF BRIEFINGS Briefing from Caitlin Oliver, Austin Public Health (APH), updates from related local early childhood groups such as Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Austin ISD, Travis …
City of Austin Early Childhood Council Budget Input Presentation January 2025 UpTogether is working to change systems that perpetuate poverty. Together, with our members, partners, and community organizations, we: ● Invest in families and individuals experiencing financial hardship; and ● Amplify stories and data to show the impact of investing in people and provide evidence that it works Capital People must have access to sufficient capital to invest in their own lives. Community People benefit from the power of community and naturally and routinely exchange social capital to support one another. Choice People are experts in their own lives and must have full choice and control over their time and resources. Work to Date in Austin Austin Site Launch With support from St. David’s Foundation, Google, and MSDF, we launched our site in Austin to invest in 380 inaugural members. Central TX 12-Month Pilot We launched the Central Texas 12- Month Pilot, investing in 173 households (163 in Austin and 10 in Georgetown) with $1,000 per month for 12 months. St. David’s Foundation and other local philanthropic partners funded the pilot, while the City of Austin signed on as a learning partner . Family Stabilization Grants In August 2023, the City of Austin allocated $1.3M towards the Family Stabilization Grants to provide more families with $1,000/month for 12 months. 2020 2022 2024 2018 2021 2023 COVID-19 Relief Efforts City of Austin Pilot Together with local philanthropy, the City of Austin Equity Office, City of Austin Innovation Office, and Austin Public Health, UpTogether invested $14.4M directly in 7,490 Central Texas households most impacted by COVID- 19 ($500 to $2,000/household). In May 2022, the City of Austin approved a $1.18 million guaranteed income pilot with UpTogether using general funds. In partnership with the Equity Office and St. David’s Foundation, we are investing in 135 households with $1,000/month for 12 months. Family Stabilization Grants - Continued In August 2024, the City of Austin again allocated $1.3M towards continuing Family Stabilization Grants in the 2024 - 25 year. Connect Our signature online platform where members gain access to opportunities for unrestricted cash transfers, surveys, social groups and more. Through UpTogether Connect , we: ● Lea rn w it h members , ● Inves t in t hem, a nd ● Support t hem in ma king connect ions w it h ot hers . 5 Impact Measurement ● Housing stability ● Food security ● …
Austin-Travis County Family Child Care Educator Network WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL CAITLIN OLIVER, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH Planning grant $25,000 grant from Home Grown, called the “Building Comprehensive Networks (BCN)” grant In 2024, we planned a comprehensive support network for home-based/family child care providers in Austin-Travis County. The Austin-Travis County Family Child Care Educator Network will include supports for all types of home-based providers: Licensed • Registered Listed • • • Family, Friend, & Neighbor (FFN) • All home-based providers (Licensed, registered, listed, FFN) • Geographic Region: City of Austin and Travis County Target Population Outputs • Year 1: 50 home-based providers are network members • Year 2: 75 home-based providers are network members Long-term Outcomes/Impacts • Improved provider well-being • Improved economic well-being and sustainability • Improved home-based child care (HBCC) quality • Improved child health and development and family well-being Funding: • City of Austin program funds • Home Grown implementation grant • Affordable Child Care Now initiative Staffing: • City of Austin staff (including in-kind staffing) • Staff person with FCC experience Materials: • Business tools (e.g., Texas Child Care Tools) Physical space: • Space for network meetings Existing infrastructure: • Collaboration with United Way, GAVA, AVANCE Provider Voice: • Provider advisory committee • Other opportunities as they arise (e.g., feedback at trainings) Main activities in Year 1 Strengthening systems of support Peer mentor program Monthly meetings Trainings Resource sharing Financial relief grant program for eligible registered and licensed providers National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) membership Connecting providers and families to resources 2025 (Year 1) Budget $75,000 implementation grant from Home Grown $75,000 from the City of Austin in matching funds, approved in fiscal year 2025 budget City of Austin in-kind staffing to support implementation of the network Majority of Year 1 funding will be used to hire a person to run the network and for the financial relief grant program. Additional funds are needed to fully fund the network in 2025 and expand the network in future years. Next steps ▪ Execute contract with Home Grown for the $75K implementation grant ▪ Economic Development Depart to hire a network staff person ▪ Roll out financial relief grants for eligible home-based providers ▪ Form the Provider Advisory Committee ▪ Recruit network members Questions Cindy Gamez Program Manager, Economic Development Department Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov Caitlin Oliver Early Childhood Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov
Bloom where you are Planted GAVA | City of Austin Budget Recommendations: FY 2026 Investment in Home-based Relative Care (FFN) Early Childcare Council Meeting January 15, 2025 Michelle Mejia, Early Childhood & Family Health Lead Organizer Monica Guzmán, Policy Director What is Friend, Family, Neighbor (FFN) Child Care? “FFN is a broad term encompassing many types of caregivers, typically those who have a previous relationship with the children for whom they care. They are the grandmothers, nanas, aunties, abuelitas, family, friends and neighbors who care for children. “ One in four children in the U.S. under the age of 5 is cared for by a grandparent some or all of the time their parent is at work (ZERO TO THREE 2017). https://homegrownchildcare.org/parents-choose-quality-when-they-use- family-friend-and-neighbor-care/ Parents with sick children Food service workers Stay-at-home parents City employees Who utilizes and Benefits from FFN childcare? First responders Expecting parents Healthcare professionals Teachers Non-traditional hour workers Caregivers of elders *These are some of the groups we have encountered Importance of Community Organizing in FRiend FAMILY Neighbor Communities Increases family child care quality, safety, and health through professional development, home improvements, technology support, and peer networks Economic stability for working class & low income families Cultural & lingusitic connection Brings people out of the shadows and most importantly our children who are in FFN spaces Increased access to services and resources Community organizing is a process through which people most affected by inequities collectively build power, develop leadership, and take direct action to address systemic issues. RAPID Early childhood SUrvey: preliminary Local Data Budget asks $350K Implementation of a direct assistance program pilot for thriving providers Integrate Home Grown Thriving Providers Project into BCN to address economic stability caused by low wages for their care work and Austin’s affordability crisis; focused on those providing FFN relative child care (aunties, grandparents, family members caring for children they are related to) Monthly payment model for relative caregivers Offer a pathway to become listed providers $75K Sustain funding for Austin Public Health to continue Building Comprehensive Networks (BCN) partnership with HomeGrown to support strategies for home-based child care GAVA supports City of Austin & Travis Co collaboration for $500K Prop A funding for essential network program costs not funded by $75K $200K Implementation Funds for Building Comprehensive Networks strategy for a Mobile Lending Library for home-based family child care providers to increase access to quality Early Childhood learning materials …
Austin/Travis County S COA Budget Discussion Success By 6 Coalition The Success By 6 Coalition is a network of child and family advocates — providers, parents, policymakers, civic leaders, and experts — working together to transform our early childhood system. 90% of brain development happens before age 5. Maintain Funding Social Service Contracts High-Quality Childcare Fee Waivers - - - - - - - - adjustment) $768,157.08) Family Connects Homegrown Implementation Grant Match ($75,000 annually through grant) Start Up Costs for Pre-K Classrooms (consider increasing funding to at least $170,666 for 8 classrooms to reduce reduction in number of classrooms addressed) Incorporating an annual cost of living adjustment for all social service contracts (5% COLA PreK Partnerships, Shared Services (previous amount awarded through ARPA funds for FY 25 is Family Stabilization Grants ($1.3 million, consider increasing to support more families) New Investments for Consideration: - Additional EDD FTE staff focused on early childhood projects/contracts - Meeting one time funding requests from partners that received smaller social contract awards for technology and staff retention requests Thinking about the future - Planning for Travis County Prop A implementation is still taking place, with resource allocation and timing being unclear - Early Childhood funding cliff that needs to be addressed THANK YOU
ECC Budget Workgroup Discussion – 1/15/25 Members: ECC – Hilda Rivas, Alice Navarro, Tom Hedrick; GAVA – Laura Olson; Sx6 – Barbara Grant Boneta; APH – Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley; EDD – Cynthia Gamez Process/Timing – one-month acceleration over prior efforts • ✓12/18 Initial meeting • ✓ 12/18-1/8 Lock in January ECC meeting attendees and gather input • Today Further community input at ECC • Today ECC meeting and discussion of priorities from community attendees and APH • 1/15-2/6 Finalize recommendations and consolidate into a formal recommendation for broader ECC discussion. • 2/12 ECC discussion and vote on any formal communications to Council • 2/12 Pass on information to the JIC 1 Context • City budgets are challenged/tight • ARPA dollars rolling off – significant service reductions • Travis County Prop A – want Early Care $ to be net increased (no budget shifting to County) 2 Budget Item or Program Name Recommendation - for Comments Fee Waivers for Qualifying Childcare Centers, Economic Development Grant Program These are not one time, some ambiguity on baking these into city budget Discussion Continue Fee Waiver Process One Time COLA adjustments of 5% in FY 25, several programs Make COLA adjustments annually and incorporated in contracts. 2.5% estimated for 2025 Best practice PreK classroom start-up funds Fund an additional $36,266 (added to $134,400 current) Without funding, classrooms are reduced from 8 to 6/7 EDD EC staffing Fully fund a full-time staff person for contract management Temporary employee is rolling off and needs to be replaced with full time position Seek clarification and more permanent funding APH considers this one-time funding since it comes from 1115 Waiver/DSRIP. Maternal infant outreach program. Services for African American women with low income during pregnancy and throughout the first year postpartum, including health education, resource navigation assistance, one-on- one home visits, birth education, and labor and delivery support Family Connects Homegrown and BCN, Implementation of a comprehensive support network and resource hub for home-based childcare providers Expand FFN Focus All ARPA-related funding Point out service reductions Determine what services are at risk with reduction in funding from FY ‘24 to ‘25 APH Recommendation to be discussed 1-15, also input from GAVA Need an accurate view of service reductions post ARPA reductions 3 Integration with Travis County Prop A Budget Item or Program Name Comments Recommendation - for Discussion Sustain or expand these programs Sustain or expand these programs …
Program Name Description EDD Childcare Contracts - EDD General Fund FY25 Amount FY24 Amount Agency Availability Notes Austin Public Health Early Childhood Investments Table Mainspring Magic Quality Investment Project This program expands the training and professional development opportunities offered to teachers to enable them to build skills and expertise in areas aligned with the three pillars of Mainspring's successful model - Innovative Learning, Health & Wellness, and the Whole Family Approach. Mainspring Schools Childcare for Black Mothers RISE will provide free or low-cost, short-term, culturally congruent, high-quality drop-in childcare, for Black mothers who are a part of the Black Mama’s Village in Central Texas for children 6 weeks through age 5. Drop- in care is a back-up childcare option for parents when they need temporary, short-term care. Rise Child Development Center Quality Childcare Collaborative (QC3) (includes Continuity of Childcare System Services) Programming to increase childcare quality, including Director Mentoring, CLASS Training, and the Jeannette Watson Wage Supplement Program; Temporary “bridge” funding for children in subsidized childcare who would otherwise be terminated or not enrolled due to federal funding rules. Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board $34,000 $71,400 Ongoing This contract was first funded for 6 months in FY24 under a new award from the APH Early Childhood RFP. FY25 Includes a one-time 5% COLA of $3,400. $68,064 $142,933 Ongoing This contract was first funded for 6 months in FY24 under a new award from the APH Early Childhood RFP. FY25 Includes a one-time 5% COLA of $6,806. $1,118,210 $1,174,121 Ongoing FY25 Includes a one-time 5% COLA of $55,911 KinderCare at Bergstrom Tech Early Childhood Consulting Childcare Leadership Academy Rent and operating expenses (OpEx) for childcare program on City-leased property at Bergstrom Technology Center KinderCare $307,214 $304,188 Ongoing Childcare consulting services $75,000 $75,000 Ongoing Training for facility directors, assistant directors, and staff interested in leadership roles to develop leadership pipeline for childcare sector and improve center quality and stability. Raising Austin dba Together 4 Children $351,270 $351,270 Ongoing EDD Workforce Development dollars Premium Pay Wage Stipends Wage stipends for qualified childcare staff, up to $2500/year to improve staff retention and care quality. $519,924 $480,076 One-Time FY23 funding of $1M from EDD Workforce Development dollars; rolled into WFS ARPA contract. Amounts listed are balances utilized each fiscal year $2,473,682 $2,598,988 Ginsberg Kershner & Associates Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board Total Austin Public Health Early Childhood Investments Table Program Name Description Agency …
Austin-Travis County Family Child Care Educator Network WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL CAITLIN OLIVER, AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH Planning grant $25,000 grant from Home Grown, called the “Building Comprehensive Networks (BCN)” grant In 2024, we planned a comprehensive support network for home-based/family child care providers in Austin-Travis County. The Austin-Travis County Family Child Care Educator Network will include supports for all types of home-based providers: Licensed • Registered Listed • • • Family, Friend, & Neighbor (FFN) • All home-based providers (Licensed, registered, listed, FFN) • Geographic Region: City of Austin and Travis County Target Population Outputs • Year 1: 50 home-based providers are network members • Year 2: 70 home-based providers are network members Long-term Outcomes/Impacts • Improved provider well-being • Improved economic well-being and sustainability • Improved home-based child care (HBCC) quality • Improved child health and development and family well-being Funding: • City of Austin program funds • Home Grown implementation grant • Affordable Child Care Now initiative Staffing: • City of Austin staff (including in-kind staffing) • Staff person with FCC experience Materials: • Business tools (e.g., Texas Child Care Tools) Physical space: • Space for network meetings Existing infrastructure: • Collaboration with United Way, GAVA, AVANCE Provider Voice: • Provider advisory committee • Other opportunities as they arise (e.g., feedback at trainings) Main activities in Year 1 Strengthening systems of support Peer mentor program Monthly meetings Trainings Resource sharing Financial relief grant program for eligible registered and licensed providers National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) membership Connecting providers and families to resources 2025 (Year 1) Budget $75,000 implementation grant from Home Grown $75,000 from the City of Austin in matching funds, approved in fiscal year 2025 budget City of Austin in-kind staffing to support implementation of the network Majority of Year 1 funding will be used to hire a person to run the network and for the financial relief grant program. Additional funds are needed to fully fund the network in 2025 and expand the network in future years. Next steps ▪ Execute contract with Home Grown for the $75K implementation grant ▪ Economic Development Depart to hire a network staff person ▪ Roll out financial relief grants for eligible home-based providers ▪ Form the Provider Advisory Committee ▪ Recruit network members Questions Cindy Gamez Program Manager, Economic Development Department Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov Caitlin Oliver Early Childhood Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov
Bloom where you are Planted GAVA | City of Austin Budget Recommendations: FY 2026 Investment in Home-based Relative Care (FFN) Early Childcare Council Meeting January 15, 2025 Michelle Mejia, Early Childhood & Family Health Lead Organizer Monica Guzmán, Policy Director What is Friend, Family, Neighbor (FFN) Child Care? “FFN is a broad term encompassing many types of caregivers, typically those who have a previous relationship with the children for whom they care. They are the grandmothers, nanas, aunties, abuelitas, family, friends and neighbors who care for children. “ One in four children in the U.S. under the age of 5 is cared for by a grandparent some or all of the time their parent is at work (ZERO TO THREE 2017). https://homegrownchildcare.org/parents-choose-quality-when-they-use- family-friend-and-neighbor-care/ Parents with sick children Food service workers Stay-at-home parents City employees Who utilizes and Benefits from FFN childcare? First responders Expecting parents Healthcare professionals Teachers Non-traditional hour workers Caregivers of elders *These are some of the groups we have encountered Importance of Community Organizing in FRiend FAMILY Neighbor Communities Increases family child care quality, safety, and health through professional development, home improvements, technology support, and peer networks Economic stability for working class & low income families Cultural & lingusitic connection Brings people out of the shadows and most importantly our children who are in FFN spaces Increases access to services and resources Community organizing is a process through which people most affected by inequities collectively build power, develop leadership, and take direct action to address systemic issues. RAPID Early childhood SUrvey: preliminary Local Data Budget asks $350K Implementation of a direct assistance program pilot for thriving providers Integrate HomeGrown Thriving Providers Project into BCN to address economic stability caused by low wages for their care work and Austin’s affordability crisis; focus on those providing FFN relative care (aunties, grandparents, family members caring for children they are related to) Monthly payment model Offer a pathway to become listed providers $75K Sustain funding for Austin Public Health to continue Building Comprehensive Networks (BCN) partnership with HomeGrown to support strategies for home-based child care GAVA supports City of Austin & Travis Co collaboration for $500K Prop A funding for essential network program costs not funded by $75K $200K Implementation Funds for Building Comprehensive Networks strategy for a Mobile Lending Library for home-based relative care providers to increase access to quality Early Childhood learning materials & resources Provides funds not currently …
REGULAR MEETING of the EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL NOVEMBER 13, 2024, 9:00 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once, either in person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Cathy McHorse, Chair Corie Cormie Tom Hedrick Andrea McIllwain Alice Navarro Ellana Selig Choquette Hamilton, Vice Chair Eliza Gordon Cynthia McCollum Brianna Menard Casie Schennum AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on October 9, 2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Updates on the Affordable Child Care Now Coalition and Travis County Proposition A 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation from the Early Childhood Council Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup about the updated study timeline and scope Updates from the October Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting, including quorum of JIC representatives for budget season and promoting the JIC’s virtual Voices and Choices session on November 20, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Overview of the Fiscal Year 2026 City of Austin budget process and action to appoint a FY26 budget workgroup STAFF BRIEFINGS Briefing from Caitlin Oliver, Austin Public Health (APH), regarding the Home Grown grant for home-based child care providers; and updates from related local early childhood groups such as Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Austin ISD, and Child Care Regulation FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov, for additional …
Program Name Description Agency FY24 Amount FY25 Amount Notes Austin Public Health Early Childhood Investments Table EDD Childcare Contracts - EDD General Fund Mainspring Magic Quality Investment Project This program expands the training and professional development opportunities offered to teachers to enable them to build skills and expertise in areas aligned with the three pillars of Mainspring's successful model - Innovative Learning, Health & Wellness, and the Whole Family Approach. Childcare for Black Mothers RISE will provide free or low-cost, short-term, culturally congruent, high-quality drop-in childcare, for Black mothers who are a part of the Black Mama’s Village in Central Texas for children 6 weeks through age 5. Drop- in care is a back-up childcare option for parents when they need temporary, short-term care. Rise Child Development Center Quality Childcare Collaborative (QC3) (includes Continuity of Childcare System Services) Programming to increase childcare quality, including Director Mentoring, CLASS Training, and the Jeannette Watson Wage Supplement Program; Temporary “bridge” funding for children in subsidized childcare who would otherwise be terminated or not enrolled due to federal funding rules. Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board Mainspring Schools $34,000 $71,400 This contract was first funded for 6 months in FY24 under a new award from the APH Early Childhood RFP. FY25 Includes a one-time 5% COLA of $3,400. $68,064 $142,933 This contract was first funded for 6 months in FY24 under a new award from the APH Early Childhood RFP. FY25 Includes a one-time 5% COLA of $6,806. $1,118,210 $1,174,121 FY25 Includes a one-time 5% COLA of $55,911 KinderCare at Bergstrom Tech Early Childhood Consulting Childcare Leadership Academy Rent and operating expenses (OpEx) for childcare program on City-leased property at Bergstrom Technology Center KinderCare $307,214 $304,188 Childcare consulting services $75,000 $75,000 Ginsberg Kershner & Associates Training for facility directors, assistant directors, and staff interested in leadership roles to develop leadership pipeline for childcare sector and improve center quality and stability. Raising Austin dba Together 4 Children $351,270 $351,270 EDD Workforce Development dollars Austin Public Health Early Childhood Investments Table Premium Pay Wage Stipends Wage stipends for qualified childcare staff, up to $2500/year to improve staff retention and care quality. $519,924 $480,076 Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board Total FY23 funding of $1M from EDD Workforce Development dollars; rolled into WFS ARPA contract. Amounts listed are balances utilized each fiscal year $2,473,682 $2,598,988 Program Name Description Agency FY24 Amount FY25 Amount Notes EDD Program Delivery …
Check In Commission on Aging, Early Childhood Council, & Commission for Women’s Quality of Life Studies October 23rd, 2024 - Equity Office — Introductions & Check In Discussion Topics 01 Researcher Update 02 Commissioner Update Combined Timelines Ways of partnering & participating 03 Equity Office Update 04 Next Steps Website & Update Page Undoing Racism Workshop & Meetings Researcher Updates Where are we now? Aging Outreach and Engagement Planning Women and Girls Interviewing Organizations and Preparing for Survey launch Families with Young Children Planning and Design Phase ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Identified 30 potential community partnership organizations with a focus on priority groups. Created a community partnership table to bring to organizations for a clear ask. Completed initial outreach on 10/22. Interviewed 4 of 10 community organizations, 2 upcoming Refining focus to organizations serving native language speakers: Arabic, Burmese, Hindi, Mandarin, Nepali, Spanish, Vietnamese Currently translating survey and consent forms Conducted an environmental scan of existing data/measures, key organizations, and gaps in knowledge Identified priority focus areas and research questions Identified relevant organizations needed for outreach and collaboration on data collection Upcoming Goals Aging Focus Groups: Scheduling and Recruitment Women and Girls Launch Surveys via Community Partners Finalize community partnerships by December. Translate flyers and recruitment materials. Schedule dates/times/locations of focus groups and confirm/train facilitators. Attend onsite programming at community partner locations (where feasible) to facilitate recruitment. Organizations interviewed to date are interested in sharing survey $25 Gift Cards for each individually completed survey Survey responses in 7 languages: Arabic, Burmese, Hindi, Mandarin, Nepali, Spanish, Vietnamese ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Families with Young Children Finalize Data Collection Instruments & Prepare for Outreach Finalize caregiver survey and obtain ECC approval by mid-November Draft interview and focus group guides by December Begin outreach to local organizations High-Level Timelines: Aging Focus Groups, Photovoice, and Survey Women and Girls Interviews w/Organizations, Surveys, World Cafe Conversations, Photovoice with Youth Families with Young Children Data Collection, Analysis, & Reporting ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● November–December: Community Partnership Building January: Focus Group Recruitment February–March: Host Focus Groups April–June: Survey and Photovoice July–August: Analysis September: Dissemination September - November: Interviews October - March: Survey Distribution January - March: ○ ○ ○ Survey Analysis World Cafe Conversation planning Photovoice planning March - May: World Cafe Conversation & Photovoice …
Quality of Life Study for Austin's Families with Young Children November 2024 Update Providing High Quality Research, Evaluation, & Technical Assistance for Making Informed & Equitable Decisions RESEARCH • EVALUATION • SURVEYS • TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE www.dir-online.com Agenda • Introductions • History of Study • DIR Updates: • Update on research activities • Theoretical Framework & Revised research questions • Recruitment update • Wrap-up/Timeline Review • Collaboration Across Three Quality of Life Studies – Early Childhood Council, Commission for Women, and Commission on Aging (also see PDF from Oct 23rd Meeting) • Commissioner Questions History • Joint Inclusion Committee requested funding for the five Quality of Life Commissions who had not conducted a study in 2022. $1.2 million was included in the 2023 City Budget. • Purpose: :Quality of life is living in a community that supports and empowers parents and other caregivers to raise healthy children in the best possible ways to thrive in childhood and adulthood and congruent with their own goals for their children. • Goals • Public policies/services that help or impede raising children • Produce actionable, specific recommendations • Provide a strength-based assessment of resources • Identify relevant city and county resources in power analysis Recent Activities • Study Design • Recruitment • Caregiver survey • Other activities • Re-reviewed literature to develop current framework • Revised research questions • Reviewed local organizational contacts given by ECC workgroup members • Began drafting recruitment materials • Started matrix of constructs and questions to include in survey • Collaborated with other QoL study teams • Attended Undoing Racism workshop Revised Research Questions 1. What are the key social and economic challenges and needs affecting quality of life for families with young children? 2. How do socioeconomic needs relate to caregiver resources such as mental health and perceived social support? 3. How do the needs and resources of families differ by demographic characteristics and geography? 4. How do families perceive and experience the impact of institutional policies, practices, and resource allocation on their quality of life? 5. What do families perceive as the power dynamics and differentials in Austin? Mixed-Methods Approach Focus Groups Caregiver Survey Landscape Analysis Interviews Project Timeline Study Planning & Design Phase •Working group and stakeholder interviews •Landscape analysis and lit review •Develop data collection plan Data Collection Phase •Survey fielding •Conduct rolling interviews and focus groups October 2024 – January 2025 April – August 2025 …
REGULAR MEETING of the EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OCTOBER 9, 2024, 9:00 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once, either in person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Cathy McHorse, Chair Corie Cormie John Green-Otero Cynthia McCollum Brianna Menard Casie Schennum Leonor Vargas Choquette Hamilton, Vice Chair Eliza Gordon Tom Hedrick Andrea McIllwain Alice Navarro Ellana Selig AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on September 11, 2024 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve the 2025 Early Childhood Council (ECC) regular meeting calendar 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Possible action to appoint an additional ECC member to the Quality-of-Life Study Workgroup Possible action to appoint a liaison and alternate liaison to represent the ECC at Joint Inclusion Committee meetings Possible action to authorize an ECC member to speak on behalf of the ECC about the ECC’s past budget recommendation and current priorities at the Joint Inclusion Committee’s Community Voices & Choices Sessions on October 16, November 6, and November 20, 2024 DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation by Edgar Hurtado, supervisor in the Austin Public Health (APH) Immunizations Unit, regarding immunization records audits of Austin-Travis County schools and child care programs WORKING GROUP UPDATES Updates from the Early Childhood Council Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup regarding upcoming meetings with the study vendor and collaboration with other boards and commissions managing a QoL study STAFF BRIEFINGS Briefing from Caitlin Oliver, Austin Public Health (APH), regarding updates from related local early childhood groups such as Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Austin ISD, Child Care Regulation, and Travis County FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin …
2024 - 2025 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Childcare and Pre-k Facilities This chart summarizes the vaccine requirements incorporated in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 25 Health Services, §§97.61-97.72. This chart is not intended as a substitute for consulting the TAC, which has other provisions and details. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is granted authority to set immunization requirements for childcare facilities by the Human Resources Code, Chapter 42. A child shall show acceptable evidence of vaccination prior to entry, attendance, or transfer to a childcare facility in Texas. Diphtheria / Tetanus / Pertussis (DTaP) Polio Hepatitis B (HepB) 1 Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) 2 Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) 3 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) 1, 4 Varicella 1, 4, 5 Hepatitis A (HepA) 1, 4 Minimum Number of Doses Required of Each Vaccine Age at which child must have vaccines to be in compliance: Zero through two months By three months One dose By five months Two doses One dose Two doses By seven months Three doses Two doses One dose Two doses Two doses Two doses One dose Two doses Two doses One dose Two doses Three doses By 16 months Three doses Two doses Three doses Four doses By 19 months Four doses Three doses Three doses Three doses Four doses By 25 months Four doses Three doses Three doses Three doses Four doses By 43 months Four doses Three doses Three doses Three doses Four doses One dose One dose One dose One dose One dose One dose One dose One dose One dose Two doses 1 Serologic evidence of infection or serologic confirmation of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, or varicella is acceptable in place of vaccine. 2 A complete Hib series is two doses plus a booster dose on or after 12 months of age (three doses total). If a child receives the first dose of Hib vaccine at 12 - 14 months of age, only one additional dose is required (two doses total). Any child who has received a single dose of Hib vaccine on or after 15 - 59 months of age is in compliance with these specified vaccine requirements. Children 60 months of age and older are not required to receive Hib vaccine. 3 If the PCV series is started when a child is seven months of age or older or the …
Early Childhood Council Draft 2025 Calendar of Regular Meetings The ECC will meet on the second Wednesday of the month in 2025, except for in April and August when the ECC will meet on a different day of the week. There will not be meetings in July or December. Date Time Location * January 15 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 February 12 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 March 12 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 April 8 (Tuesday) ???? p.m. TBD May 14 June 11 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 July – No meeting August 16 (Saturday) ???? a.m. TBD September 10 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 October 8 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 November 12 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 December – No meeting * Locations subject to change and will be listed on posted agendas and available on the Early Childhood Council page: http://austintexas.gov/ecc.
Immunizations Unit School / Child Care Assessments and Compliance Rayna Edgar Hurtado, Supervisor Margaret Monreal, Medical Regulatory Monitor Raquel Acosta, Patient Representative Rayna Goransson, Community Worker Selection & Purpose The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Assessment, Compliance and Evaluation Group, randomly selects 20% of the licensed child-care centers and registered/licensed childcare homes in the regional area for a detailed immunization audit. Selection & Purpose On behalf of DSHS, the immunization audit team at Austin Public Health is tasked with conducting immunization compliance audits of the selected facilities in Travis County. 100% of the immunization records for each facility are audited to measure compliance with state immunization requirements. Compliance or non-compliance is reported to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Childcare Licensing Division as part of an agreement between DSHS and HHSC to eliminate duplicative inspections of childcare facilities (HB 1555 of the 75th legislature). Audit Preparation Upon receipt of the audit list from DSHS: • Contact facility to inform of selection, provide audit overview & audit options (on site/in-office) audit • Verify point of contact, enrollment count, age range of enrolled children, notification preference & ImmTrac the Texas Immunization Registry, a database with immunization records for Texas residents. • Send official Intent to Audit letter via email/mail with current Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements. Facilities are given a deadline to respond to the letter. Audit Preparation Once facility responds to the letter: • Explain the audit process, answer questions and set the audit appointment date • Discuss audit options (on site/in-office), documents needed and how documents will be sent (fax/mail) • Discuss immunization record validation requirements • Set a timeline for receipt of documents prior to the audit • Email confirmation of appointment with additional resources. Day of Audit Record review: Acceptable vaccination records include those from State Immunization Registries, physician offices, or personal health records and must include: • Date of birth • Vaccination dates for each vaccine received (month, day & year) • Validation of record to include the signature, initials or stamp of the physician or physician’s designee or public health personnel for each vaccine on handwritten records • Clinic/physician contact information and provider’s signature/stamp for immunization records generated from electronic health record systems. Valid (unexpired) State of Texas Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience or a valid Medical Exemption document. 2024-2025 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements Recommended and Catch-Up Immunization Schedules …
Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger Vaccines and Other Immunizing Agents in the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule* Monoclonal antibody Respiratory syncytial virus monoclonal antibody (Nirsevimab) Vaccine COVID-19 Abbreviation(s) RSV-mAb Abbreviation(s) 1vCOV-mRNA UNITED STATES 2024 Dengue vaccine Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine Hepatitis A vaccine Hepatitis B vaccine Human papillomavirus vaccine Influenza vaccine (inactivated) Influenza vaccine (live, attenuated) Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine Meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, Y vaccine Meningococcal serogroup B vaccine Meningococcal serogroup A, B, C, W, Y vaccine Mpox vaccine Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine Poliovirus vaccine (inactivated) Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine Rotavirus vaccine Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine Tetanus and diphtheria vaccine How to use the child and adolescent immunization schedule 2 1 3 5 4 6 Determine recommended vaccine by age (Table 1) Determine recommended interval for catch- up vaccination (Table 2) Assess need for additional recommended vaccines by medical condition or other indication (Table 3) Review vaccine types, frequencies, intervals, and considerations for special situations (Notes) Review contraindications and precautions for vaccine types (Appendix) Review new or updated ACIP guidance (Addendum) Recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip) and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov), American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org), American Academy of Family Physicians (www.aafp.org), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (www.acog.org), American College of Nurse-Midwives (www.midwife.org), American Academy of Physician Associates (www.aapa.org), and National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (www.napnap.org). Report y Suspected cases of reportable vaccine-preventable diseases or outbreaks to your state or local health department y Clinically significant adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at www.vaers.hhs.gov or 800-822-7967 Questions or comments Contact www.cdc.gov/cdc-info or 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636), in English or Spanish, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays Download the CDC Vaccine Schedules app for providers at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/schedule-app.html Helpful information y Complete Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html y ACIP Shared Clinical Decision-Making Recommendations: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/acip-scdm-faqs.html y General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization (including contraindications and precautions): www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/index.html 1vCOV-aPS DEN4CYD DTaP Hib (PRP-T) Hib (PRP-OMP) HepA HepB HPV IIV4 LAIV4 MMR MenACWY-CRM MenACWY-TT MenB-4C MenB-FHbp MenACWY-TT/ MenB-FHbp Mpox PCV15 PCV20 PPSV23 IPV RSV RV1 RV5 Tdap Td Trade name(s) Beyfortus™ Trade name(s) Comirnaty®/Pfizer- BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Spikevax®/Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Dengvaxia® Daptacel® Infanrix® ActHIB® Hiberix® PedvaxHIB® Havrix® Vaqta® Engerix-B® Recombivax HB® …
Early Childhood Council Approved 2025 Calendar of Regular Meetings The ECC will meet on the second Wednesday of the month in 2025, except for in August when the ECC will meet on a different day of the week. There will not be meetings in July or December. Date Time Location * January 15 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 February 12 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 March 12 9 a.m. TBD April 9 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 May 14 June 11 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 July – No meeting August 16 (Saturday) ???? a.m. TBD September 10 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 October 8 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 November 12 9 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 December – No meeting * Locations subject to change and will be listed on posted agendas and available on the Early Childhood Council page: http://austintexas.gov/ecc.
