Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

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 study researcher Member McCollum shared that the workgroup is scheduling another meeting soon with the study vendor. Updates from the February Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting regarding the City of Austin budget process and JIC budget recommendations Member Navarro shared that the JIC will finalize budget recommendations at the meeting in March and encouraged ECC members to review the Office of Budget and Organizational Excellence presentation regarding the City budget process, which is posted as a backup material for this meeting. STAFF BRIEFINGS 8. Briefing from Adrienne Sturrup, Director of Austin Public Health (APH), regarding the APH Integrated Bond Development Adrienne Sturrup presented information about the role of the public health department, history of the 2012 and 2018 bonds, and the bond proposals process. EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 12, 2025 9. 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 Caitlin Oliver shared an update about Austin Public Health and Economic Development staff efforts to launch the Austin-Travis County Family Child Care Educator Network in spring 2025 and that there will be a proclamation at City Hall on Thursday, April 10, about the Week of the Young Child. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Members did not list future agenda items. Chair McHorse adjourned the meeting at 10:51 a.m., without objection. The minutes were approved unanimously at the April 9, 2025, meeting on Member Menard’s motion and Member McCollum’s second, on an 8-0 vote.