EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL June 8, 2022, 8:30 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 by 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. To register, contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from May 11, 2022, meeting 2. PRESENTATIONS Presenters: a. Updates from Child Inc on Early Head Start and Head Start programs • Beverly Davis, Child Inc, Interim Head Start Director • Belen Hernandez, Child Inc, Dual Language Coordinator • Edith Gray, Child Inc, Funds Development PR/Social Media Consultant b. Updates from the Austin Independent School District on Head Start program Presenter: • Ashlee Johnson, Austin ISD, Head Start Administrator 3. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group updates i. Discuss next steps following the Austin Public Health presentation on City actions since 2017 Child Care and Pre-K Resolution ii. Discuss Regional Economic Equity Development Plan (REED) presentation from the Austin Diversity and Ethnic Chambers of Commerce (DECA) iii. August ECC meeting iv. v. City Council member visits and City Council budget hearing speakers Standing agenda item inviting early childhood related groups to share updates organized by the Success By 6 Coalition to discuss early childhood investments b. Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) updates i. Topics to bring to JIC 4. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates 5. RELATED GROUPS (As needed) a. Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children b. Child Care Regulation c. Child Inc d. E3 Alliance e. Success By 6 Coalition f. Workforce Solutions Capital Area 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) …
Austin ISD Head Start Ashlee Johnson Head Start Administrator, Austin ISD 1 History and Program Overview • Austin ISD is annually awarded $1.6M for 5 years – Serving families in Austin/Travis Co. • Total of 204 full day slots - Pre-K3 only • Certified Teacher and Teaching Assistant • Located on Elementary School campuses 8 sites currently – Guerrero-Thompson, Jordan, Rodriguez, Langford, Oak Springs, Sanchez, Uphaus Early Learning Center and Houston 2 Services for Families ● Vision and Hearing Screening ● Dedicated Family Advocate ● Family Needs Assessment and Goal Setting ● Special Education and Behavior Supports ● Wrap-Around services and supports ● Parent Meetings and Parenting Curriculum Classes ● Parent Representation via Policy Council 3 Partners 4 What are we excited about? • 204 students consistently enrolled • Over 90% of students have up to date physical/dental screenings • Use of technology – Text Messaging – Recordings of Parent Meeting/Parenting Curriculum – Swivil Cameras - Coaching and Parent Meetings • Community Partners 5 What do we need support with? • After School Childcare for 3-yr olds • Full Day Pre-K 3 6 Questions For information on AISD Head Start visit: https://www.austinisd.org/early-childhood/head-start For Information on AISD Head Start Policy Council visit: https://www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/hspc/meetings 7
E d u c a t i n g F a m i l i e s . R a i s i n g F a m i l i e s . 1 9 7 2 - 2 0 2 2 VISION To create a community where all children regardless of income have an equal opportunity to become independent and self-sufficient adults. MISSION Provide high quality education and comprehensive support services for children and their families while supporting personal and social responsibility in the communities we serve. 50 YEARS of SERVICE Child Inc Head Start is a national high-quality research based early childhood development program designed to promote school readiness for families living in poverty with children ages 0-5 including pregnant mothers, the program is focused on closing the achievement gap between more affluent peers and lower income children. For 50 years, Child Inc has been preparing very low-income preschool children to succeed in school. We pursue a strong, clear, and comprehensive focus on all aspects of healthy development, including social, emotional, cognitive, physical development including mental health and disabilities. History Core Programs NAEYC Accredited Centers Early Head Start (EHS) for 0 to 3-year-olds Head Start (HS) Including Dual Language for 3-to 5-year-olds Home Based Services 0–3-year-olds Parent, Family and Community Engagement Summer Learning Program (funded in part by the COA) After School Program (funded in part by the COA & Travis County) Childcare Partnership Grant Pregnant / Expectant Families Program Fatherhood Engagement Services provided in classroom learning, home visitor & collaborative classrooms within Austin, Del Valle, & Manor ISD’s. 1 2 3 • • • • • Eligibility Requirements • • Income Eligible Families at 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines SNAP, TANF and/or SSI Recipients Reside in Travis County Income Eligible Families with Children Ages Birth to Five Income Eligible Expectant Families Foster Children Are Eligible Regardless of Their Foster Family’s Income Children From Families Experiencing Homelessness Center Locations 1 American Youth Works CDC** ~ 78741 2 Brodie CDC* ~ 78745 3 Cedar Bend CDC* ~ 78758 4 Dawson CDC* ~ 78704 5 Dove Springs CDC ~ 78744 6 Forbes CDC* ~ 78754 7 Fountain Plaza CDC* ~ 78751 8 Child Inc Main Office ~ 78751 9 Grant CDC* ~ 78758 10 Mainsprings CDC** ~ 78704 11 Palomita CDC** ~ 78744 12 Rosewood Zaragosa CDC* ~ 78702 …
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 8, 2022 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Board Members in Attendance: Vice Chair Worthington, Council Members Alvarez, Bliss Lima, Conlin, Hedrick, Hosking Pulido, Huston, McCollum, and Schennum Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Donna Sundstrom, Cindy Gamez, and Michelle Rodriguez CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chair Worthington called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No public comment 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from May 11, 2022, meeting – Member Huston moved to approve the minutes from the May 11, 2022, regular meeting. Member Conlin seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote of 9-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS a. Updates from Child Inc on Early Head Start and Head Start programs Presenters: • Beverly Davis, Child Inc, Interim Head Start Director • Belen Hernandez, Child Inc, Dual Language Coordinator • Edith Gray, Child Inc, Funds Development PR/Social Media Consultant Davis provided an overview of Child Inc’s Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) programs, including highlights and areas in which the program needs additional support. Core Programs • City funding allows for Child Inc to provide after school care from 3-5 p.m. and summer camp programming, which the Head Start funding does not allow. Six slots are geared to expectant mothers, with priority for teenage pregnancies. Eligibility Requirements Center Locations • Families eligible for SNAP benefits are now eligible for Head Start. They do prioritize children in foster care and experiencing homelessness. • Child Inc Head Start has 12 stand-alone sites and other programs located at collaborating partner sites, including classrooms in Manor, Del Valle, and Austin ISDs. • Every 5 years they do a community assessment to determine location of services, especially in growing areas like Del Valle and Manor. Enrollment • 156 children enrolled for home-based services, 176 enrolled for center-based services. • They have the space and funding to cover the waitlist, but they do not have enough teachers to open additional classrooms. • Child Inc is looking to convert about 300 3- and 4-year-old slots to about 100 infant and toddler program slots because of the high competition in schools for the 3- and 4-year-old slots. Full Day Programming Supporting Working Families • Educational curriculum is used in afterschool and summer programs. Their Head Start program utilizes The Creative Curriculum and the Scholastic curriculum, as well as the Parents as …
