REGULAR MEETING of the EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL JUNE 12, 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. 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on May 8, 2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and vote to approve ECC Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup membership WORKING GROUP UPDATES 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. Updates from the ECC QoL Study Workgroup regarding the first meeting with the study vendor DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation regarding the services Any Baby Can and the Ready Families Collaborative plan to provide with the APH Early Childhood RFP funding Presenters: • Rebecca Elizondo—Chief Program Officer • Maddie Glover—Director of Data, Reporting, and Evaluation Presentation from Melody García, Director of Programs at Saint Louise House, regarding the services the Saint Louise House plans to provide with the APH Early Childhood RFP funding Presentation from Donald Jackson, Economic Development Department (EDD), regarding the proposed Place-Based Enhancement Program 7. Discussion regarding the August ECC meeting location and time STAFF BRIEFINGS Updates from Caitlin Oliver, Austin Public Health (APH), regarding the Home Grown Building Comprehensive Networks planning grant for family-based child care; updates from related early childhood groups; update on Chapter 26 application to Parks and Recreation Department for northeast portion of Civitan Park; and the City of Austin staff response to Council Resolution 20231109-028 regarding financial relief to eligible home- based child care providers FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The …
Ready Families Collaborative and local home visiting programs Rebecca Elizondo, Chief Program Officer Maddie Glover, Director of Data, Reporting, and Evaluation Presentation by June 12, 2024 WHO WE ARE Any Baby Can is a Central Texas nonprofit that works with families to overcome obstacles and achieve well-being. With programs that meet clients where they are – at home, work or school – Any Baby Can helps build stability, develop skills and navigate systems so children and families reach their full potential. Any Baby Can serves as the fiscal and contract holder for the Ready Families Collaborative since 2015. Vision A community that empowers parents, prioritizes healthy families, and invests in child development. Mission Any Baby Can partners with families to build stability, develop skills, and unlock each child’s full potential. WHAT IS THE READY FAMILIES COLLABORTIVE (RFC)? RFC consists of 8 organizations that provide early childhood and support services to families living within Travis County. The services provided by the RFC focus on the development of children ages 0 to 5 and family units that support them. Families are offered a range of evidence or research- based services that will help their children be successful in their development, education, and life. Services include home visitation, Two-Generation models, Play to Learn groups and parenting classes, child care, child development services, and case management. Home Visitation Child Development Two Generation models Play to Learn and Parent Education classes HOW WE STARTED The RFC was formed through the work of the Family Support Network, School Readiness Action Plan (SRAP) facilitated by United Way of Greater Austin. The RFC’s purpose and goals were aligned with the Ready Families strategies of the School Readiness Action Plan (now known as the Success by 6 Strategic Plan). Today, the RFC’s goals and work fall primarily within the Healthy Beginnings and Supported Families pillars of the Success by 6 Strategic plan Healthy Beginnings: Community ensures the healthy births of all children and continue to provide the physical healthcare, developmental and mental health supports, and community resources they need to thrive throughout their childhood Supported Families: Families have access to and use the resources that provide them with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and social support to positively nurture the health, safety, and development of their children, and develop greater financial stability. Any Baby Can Austin PBS AVANCE of Austin Communities …
Quality Care for Children Overcoming Homelessness Melody Garcia, Director of Programs We empower women and their children to overcome homelessness for generations to come. Saint Louise House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the success of wo m e n a n d t h e ir c h ild r e n m o vin g fr o m h o m e le s s n e s s t o h e a lt h y in d e p e n d e n t liv e s . Ou r o r ga n iza t io n a l va lu e s o f Em p o we r m e n t , Ho p e , Gr o wt h Min d s e t , Co m m it m e n t , Hu m ilit y a n d Effe c t ive n e s s d r ive o u r p r o gr a m m o d e l o f in t e n s e p a r t n e r s h ip . Our Approach Ho u sin g Pa rt n e rsh ip Wra p a rou n d Se rvice s Saint Louise House provides 46 families safe, stable housing in two complexes in South Austin. Rents are subsidized so that families start out paying only $50 a month for the first year. With this stable housing, families can confidently take steps toward their goals. Every mother finds a partner on her journey toward stability through weekly meetings with a staff social worker who supports her in identifying her own strengths and learning to leverage her strengths to achieve her goals. Empowerment Partners connect families to resources for education and employment and building skills such as parenting, financial literacy, and more. Saint Louise House provides mothers and children highly individualized support for meeting basic needs, accessing community resources, and achieving their goals. Services include life skills workshops, children’s activities supporting social and emotional development, and direct support such as a food pantry, bus passes and flexible funds. The Importance of the Two-Gen Approach Our Impact Ho u sin g Pa rt n e rsh ip Wra p a rou n d Se rvice s • Consistent Environment: Stable housing provides a reliable and safe space, …
Place-Based Enhancement Program Economic Development Department June 2024 C I T Y O F A U S T I N Chapter 380 Revision Economic incentive programs use tax reimbursements, grants, and other financial programs to encourage desired community This often includes new jobs or new real estate and capital outcomes investment Guided by state code (Chapter 380) and City policies and priorities In Austin, these include strong community benefit requirements: Living wages Hiring harder to employ individuals 1 Childcare support Local art and music Green building Transit access C I T Y O F A U S T I N Chapter 380 Revision: State Local Code LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE TITLE 12. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SUBTITLE A. MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 380. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Sec. 380.001. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. (a) The governing body of a municipality may establish and provide for the administration of one or more programs, including programs for making loans and grants of public money and providing personnel and services of the municipality, to promote state or local economic development and to stimulate business and commercial activity in the municipality. 1 C I T Y O F A U S T I N Program Background In 2018 EDD Staff utilized feedback from an extensive engagement process in development of the current Program Guidelines • Community conversations included 8 Sessions, held in each Council District • Sessions’ attendance ranged from 7 to 90, with 160 unique attendees, providing 260 points of input, generating 2,500 comments • "Affordability" was a top concern for Creative Sector and Small Business participants Current Chapter 380 Policy and Program adopted by City Council At that time, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 20180830- 058 authorizing the City Manager to develop a Location Enhancement Program C I T Y O F A U S T I N Program Background Location Enhancement Program core focus from Ordinance No. 20180830-058 on developing an affordable real estate program: Commercial affordability for tenants of commercial space with … particular focus on small, local, heritage businesses, non-profits, cooperatives, and the creative sector Financial challenges faced by owners of commercial spaces by providing access to capital/financing to deliver community benefits, such as affordable and public spaces, creative spaces, new goods and services, and to preserve neighborhood identity Specific market needs, such as the delivery of goods, services and transportation solutions to underinvested areas that yield …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 12, 2024 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024 The Early Childhood Council convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at City Hall, Board & Commission Room #1101, 301 West Second Street in Austin, Texas. Chair McHorse called the Early Childhood Council Meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse and Members Hedrick, McIllwain, Navarro, and Selig. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Vice Chair Hamilton and Members Cormie, Gordon, Green-Otero, McCollum, Schennum, and Vargas Staff in Attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Cindy Gamez, Rachel Farley, and Alejandra Mireles 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. There was no public comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on May 8, 2024 The minutes from the meeting on 5/8/2024 were approved unanimously on Member Navarro’s motion and Member Hedrick’s second, on an 11-0 vote. Member Schennum was absent at time of the vote. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and vote to approve Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup membership EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 12, 2024 Member Vargas moved to approve Monica Guzmán, policy director at Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA), as a community member of the ECC QoL Study Workgroup. Member Green-Otero provided a second, and the motion passed unanimously on an 11-0 vote. Member Schennum was absent at time of the vote. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 3. Updates from the ECC QoL Study Workgroup regarding the first meeting with the study vendor The QoL Study Workgroup met with the study vendor, Decision Information Resources, Inc., on June 11, 2024, to discuss the timeline for the Austin Families with Young Children Study and initial tasks. The Workgroup and vendor established meeting norms, communication expectations, and decided some first steps included connection with the Commission on Women and the City of Austin demographer. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation regarding the services Any Baby Can and the Ready Families Collaborative plan to provide with the APH Early Childhood RFP funding Presenters: • Rebecca Elizondo—Chief Program Officer • Maddie Glover—Director of Data, Reporting, and Evaluation Rebecca Elizondo and Maddie Glover presented the following information: • Any Baby Can is a nonprofit that has been partnering with …
