Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 12, 2025 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025 The Early Childhood Council convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 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 9:04 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse, Vice Chair Hamilton, and Members Gordon, Hedrick, McCollum, McIllwain, Menard, and Rivas Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Member Navarro Staff in Attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley, and Cindy Gamez 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 January 15, 2025 The minutes from the meeting on 1/15/2025 were approved unanimously on Vice Chair Hamilton’s motion and Member McIlwain’s second, on a 9-0 vote. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a recommendation regarding early childhood investments in the fiscal year 2026 City of Austin budget  EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 12, 2025 The motion to approve the recommendation regarding early childhood investments in the FY26 City of Austin budget was approved on Member Hedrick’s motion, Member McCollum’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Chair McHorse and Vice Chair Hamilton recused from this item due to conflict of interest. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Approve a recommendation regarding family, friend, and neighbor child care supports The motion to approve the recommendation regarding family, friend, and neighbor child care supports was approved unanimously on Member Hedrick’s motion, Member Gordon’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Approve a recommendation regarding family stabilization grants and the City of Austin Equity Office The motion to approve the recommendation regarding family stabilization grants and the City of Austin Equity Office was approved unanimously on Member Hedrick’s motion, Member Menard’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Approve a recommendation regarding the budget process for boards & commissions The motion to approve the recommendation regarding the budget process for boards & commissions was approved unanimously on Member Hedrick’s motion, Member Gordon’s second, on a 9-0 vote. DISCUSSION ITEMS Updates from the Early Childhood Council Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup regarding collaboration with the other commissions conducting a QoL study and a potential budget recommendation related to funding the studies Member McIlwain provided an update that the Joint Inclusion Committee commissions conducting a quality-of-life study plan to coordinate on a budget recommendation that the City continue to fund the studies. Updates from the January Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting regarding plans for “Get to Know Your Commission” community events and a potential new board & commission Member McIlwain provided an update about upcoming “Get to Know Your Commissioner” meetings for community members and about a workgroup established by the JIC to explore the development of a board & commission for Indigenous People and Native Americans. STAFF BRIEFINGS 8. Briefing from Cindy Gamez, Economic Development Department (EDD), regarding the child care center at the Dove Springs Public Health Facility  EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 12, 2025 Cindy Gamez gave an update about the child care operator at the Dove Springs Public Health Facility. 9. 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, and Child Care Regulation Caitlin Oliver, ECC staff liaison, shared an update about the Week of the Young Child, April 5-11, 2025. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Members listed the following future agenda items: • Discuss and approve a recommendation regarding funding for the Early Childhood Council Quality-of-Life Study • Presentation from the Housing Department regarding their annual plan for federal grant funding for Children • Legislative briefing on early childhood-related issues, potentially from Texans Care • Update from Travis County about the community input sessions for the voter- approved child care and out-of-school time initiative • Austin Public Health and Economic Development Department staff briefing on the Home Grown Building Comprehensive Networks Implementation Grant • Updates from Child Inc about organizational leadership • Discuss and appoint a workgroup to nominate 2025 Early Childhood Council officers Chair McHorse adjourned the meeting at 9:40 a.m., without objection. The minutes were approved unanimously at the March 12, 2025, meeting on Vice Chair Hamilton’s motion and Member Menard’s second, on a 9-0 vote.