REGULAR MEETING of the EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MARCH 12, 2025, 9:00 A.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM #1401/1402 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE 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 Andrea McIllwain Alice Navarro Ellana Selig Choquette Hamilton, Vice Chair Cynthia McCollum Brianna Menard Hilda Rivas 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 February 12, 2025 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Presentation from Heather Petruzzini, Executive Director of the Office of Teaching, Learning, & Leading at Austin Independent School District (AISD), regarding AISD’s early learning initiatives Updates from Mariano Herrera, Acting Executive Director of Child Inc, and Beverly Davis, Head Start Director, regarding Child Inc’s priorities, plans, and challenges Discuss nomination process for 2025 Early Childhood Council officers Update from Hilda Rivas regarding Travis County community input sessions for the voter-approved child care and out-of-school time care initiative Updates from the Early Childhood Council Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup regarding the next meeting with the study researcher Updates from the February Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting regarding the City of Austin budget process and JIC budget recommendations STAFF BRIEFINGS Briefing from Adrienne Sturrup, Director of Austin Public Health (APH), regarding the APH Integrated Bond Development 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 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 …
Joint Inclusion Committee Budget Process Update Art in Public Places: La Mujer by J Muzacz/Caminos Internship Program, 2022 FY26 BUDGET TIMELINE POLICY INPUT FORECASTING & BUDGET DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL DELIBERATION & ADOPTION NEW FISCAL YEAR MARCH 31 APRIL 8 JULY 15 JULY 23 JULY 29 JULY 31 AUG. 5, 7 AUG. 13-15 OCTOBER 1 Board & Commission Recommendations Due Financial Forecast Presentation to Council City Manager’s Proposed Budget Presentation Work Session Work Session Public Hearing and Work Session Work Session Budget Readings & Tax Rate Hearings First Day of the Fiscal Year MAR APR JUL AUG OCT BOARDS & COMMISSIONS BUDGET PRIORITY SURVEY COMMUNITY INPUT MEETINGS OCT. 1 – SEP. 30 2 BIENNIAL BUDGET PLANNING AND ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS • Starting with the FY 2024-25 budget, the City adopted a structurally balanced, biennial budgeting approach. • Previously, unmet departmental needs were reviewed annually, but now enhancements are planned for the following fiscal year. • For example, during the FY 2025-26 budget process, most enhancements will be considered for FY 2026-27. • Details of the FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget and FY 2026-27 enhancement requests will be available when presented to City Council on July 15, 2025. 2/26/2025 3 BUCKETS NOT VENDORS • Focus on desired outcomes rather than specific vendors when making recommendations. • For example, suggesting that HR implement a paperless timesheet system sets a clear goal without prescribing a provider. • In contrast, recommending $1 million for ABC Enterprises to develop the system restricts management’s flexibility and undermines the competitive purchasing process. • Evaluate whether current programs or services need enhancements to ensure more equitable service delivery. 2/26/2025 4 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION ONLINE FORM • Boards and Commissions are requested to complete an online form after submitting their budget recommendations. • This form allows commissioners to specify which recommendations they want included in the budget development process. • Only one commissioner needs to complete the form, and multiple submissions are allowed. • Access the form here. • For any technical issues or questions, please contact Blake Johnson at blake.johnson@austintexas.gov. 2/26/2025 5 WHAT HAPPENS AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUBMITTED? • Recommendations are assigned to the appropriate departments, which then draft responses and assess whether their existing budget can address the issues raised. • Common themes among the recommendations are identified and presented to city leadership alongside other public engagement findings. • Some recommendations require more time for detailed responses, so the Budget Public Engagement …
Foundations First: Austin ISD Early Learning Initiative Presentation to the City of Austin Early Childhood Council March 12, 2025 Heather E. Petruzzini The Foundations First: Early Learning District Initiative positions Austin ISD as a leader in early childhood education by ensuring equitable, high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning experiencesfor children from birth to grade 2. This initiative addres s es enrollment challenges, expands early childhood programs, and prioritizes foundational literacy, numeracy, and social/emotional developmentto clos e achievement gaps and prepare s tudents for long-term academic s ucces s . Long Term Success Post Secondary Outcomes 9 - 12 Outcomes 6 - 8 Outcomes 3 - 5 Outcomes Foundations First: Early Learning Initiative Thriving in K -2: Academic & Socio - Emotional Outcomes Pre-K Expansion & Kinder Ready Outcomes Simple & Seamless Enrollment HQ Birth - 3 Programming 3 When we prioritize in early childhood education by ensuring equitable, high-quality developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children from birth to grade 2, Aus tin ISD s tudents will be prepared to learn in 3rd grade and beyond, leading to long term pos itive outcomes that contribute to each individuals long term s ucces s . Foundations First: Early Learning Initiative K-2 Academic Outcomes Pre-K Expansion & Kinder Ready Outcomes Simple & Seamless Enrollment Birth - 3 Programming 44 Simple & Seamless Enrollment Goal: 100% of families feel satisfied with an enrollment experience that fostered trust and transparency (seamless & simple) ● Ease of enrollment ● Once enrolled in an associated/partner Childcare program, students can easily enroll in Austin ISD ● Recruitment from 0 -3 ○ Come and Stay awhile - or 15ish years or so . . . ● Continued priority for qualifying students ○ TEC §29.153 (b) ● Additional tuition seats are available. ○ Spring 2025 - Early Bird Tuition 5 Birth - 3 Programming Goal: Establish a high-quality 0-3 year childcare program that strengthens community trust in Austin ISD, actively engages families in their child's developmental milestones, and provides a strong foundation for future learning success. ● NAEYC Certified ○ Developmentally appropriate GVC ● Partnership with Travis County to offer high -quality programming for 0 - 3 ● High-quality and well supported teachers in all childcare settings 6 Pre-K Expansion Goal: Early Childhood Education in Austin ISD becomes a national model for providing students strong foundational skills in an equitable way that helps students become engaged and curious learners A national exemplar …
Austin Public Health Bond Proposals Process March, 2025 Agenda • Department Overview • Guiding Principles • APH Bond Funding History • APH Bond Success • Health Disparity Data • Bond Proposals Video on next slide... Austin Public Health: The Heart Mission: To prevent disease, promote health, and protect the well-being of all. Low-cost vaccinations Health screenings Infant & maternal health Birth and death certificates Diabetes education and prevention classes Food truck, restaurants, pool and water feature inspections Mosquito testing and abatement Rent assistance, food pantries, job application support Austin Public Health: Centers of Service Mission: To prevent disease, promote health, and protect the well-being of all. 14 WIC Clinics 6 Neighborhood Centers 2 Shots for Tots and Big Shots Clinics + Weekly Mobile Clinics Sexual Health Clinic Refugee Services Clinic Mom's Place Lactation Support Center Office of Vital Records Austin Public Health: Divisions Community Services Disease Prevention Health Promotion Environmental Health Services Health Equity and Community Engagement Epidemiology and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Office of the Medical Director Administrative Services Bond History- Austin Public Health -CIP Primary Funding Source = 100% General Bond Obligations -Less than 1% of the City Bond Funding since 1998 Year 1998 2000 2006 2010 2012 2013 2016 2018 2020 2022 Sum of Bond Appropriation $339,663,387 $163,342,202 $566,503,269 $89,930,362 $306,621,128 $64,995,063 $720,000,000 $925,000,000 $460,000,000 $350,000,000 Sum of APH Appropriation $11,145,000 $16,000,000 Grand Totals $3,986,055,411 $27,145,000 Bond History- Austin Public Health Bond Appropriation by City Department Transportation and Mobility Affordable Housing Transportation Infrastructure Transportation Parks and Recreation Flood Mitigation, Open Space, and Water Quality Protection Transportation Mobility Improvements Drainage and Open Space Libraries, Museums and Cultural Arts Faciities Public Safety Central Library Mobility Parks Parks Land and Facilities Public Safety Facilities Library and Cultural Centers Cultural Facilities Open Space and Watershed Protection Austin Public Health Open Spaces Flood Control, Erosion Control, Water Quality 0.00 200,000,000.00 400,000,000.00 600,000,000.00 800,000,000.00 1,000,000,000.00 Bond Appropriation by City Department What have APH bond projects done for you lately? Making our 2012 & 2018 Bond $tretch Dove Springs Public Health Center, 2024 Video on next slide... What have APH bond projects done for you lately? Making our 2012 & 2018 Bond $tretch MPOX mass vaccine distribution: Montopolis Recreation & Public Health Center, 2020 Multi-Agency Resource Center, Winter Storm, 2023: What have APH bond projects done for you lately? Making our 2012 & 2018 Bond $tretch: Women & Children’s Center, 2018 What have APH …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 12, 2025 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025 The Early Childhood Council convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room #1401/1402, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair McHorse called the Early Childhood Council Meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse, Vice Chair Hamilton, and Members McCollum, McIllwain, and Menard Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Members Gordon, Navarro, Rivas, and Selig Staff in Attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley, Angela Tolle, Donna Sundstrom, Adrienne Sturrup, Cindy Gamez, Alan Washington, Filip Gecic, and Saeed Azadi 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 February 12, 2025 The minutes from the meeting on 2/12/2025 were approved unanimously on Vice Chair Hamilton’s motion and Member Menard’s second, on a 9-0 vote. DISCUSSION ITEMS EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 12, 2025 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Presentation from Heather Petruzzini, Executive Director of the Office of Teaching, Learning, & Leading at Austin Independent School District (AISD), regarding AISD’s early learning initiatives Heather Petruzzini presented information about AISD’s Foundations First: Early Learning Initiative to address enrollment challenges, expand early childhood programs, and prioritize foundational literacy, numeracy, and social/emotional development. Petruzzini also shared updates on the AISD Early Learning Director position. Updates from Mariano Herrera, Acting Executive Director of Child Inc, and Beverly Davis, Head Start Director, regarding Child Inc’s priorities, plans, and challenges Mariano Herrera and Beverly Davis presented information about enrollment numbers and Child Inc’s plans for expansion. Discuss nomination process for 2025 Early Childhood Council officers Chair McHorse volunteered to serve on a nominating workgroup and to present vice chair and chair nominations at the April 9 meeting. Update from Hilda Rivas regarding Travis County community input sessions for the voter- approved child care and out-of-school time care initiative Member Rivas shared updates about hiring new staff and about upcoming community input sessions for the voter-approved child care and out-of-school time care initiative. Updates from the Early Childhood Council Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup regarding the next meeting with the …
