Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 9, 2025 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025 The Early Childhood Council convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 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 9:05 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse, Vice Chair Hamilton, and Members Freeland, Latham-Sikes, McCollum, McIllwain, Menard, and Rivas Board Members in Attendance Remotely: No members attended remotely Staff in Attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley, Donna Sundstrom, Cindy Gamez, Julie Smith, Rocio Pena-Martinez, Leslie Boyd, 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 March 12, 2025 The minutes from the meeting on 3/12/2025 were approved unanimously on Member Menard’s motion and Member McCollum’s second, on an 8-0 vote. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Conduct officer elections for the positions of the 2025 Early Childhood Council chair and vice chair EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 9, 2025 Dr. Choquette Hamilton was approved as chair and Brianna Menard as vice chair on Chair McHorse’s motion and Member McCollum’s second, on a unanimous 8-0 vote. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation from David Feigen, Director of Early Learning Policy at Texans Care for Children, regarding the potential impact of the 89th Texas Legislative Session on the early childhood sector Chair McHorse and Member Freeland presented a brief overview of the Texans Care for Children early childhood policy priorities for the current Texas legislative session, as David Feigen was unable to attend the meeting. Members discussed state legislation related to early childhood that they are tracking. Presentation from the Housing Department regarding the City of Austin’s application process for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants Presenters: • Rocio Pena-Martinez, Grants Program Manager, Housing Department • Leslie Boyd, Grants Program Manager, Austin Public Health • Julie Smith, Engagement Specialist, Housing Department Rocio Pena-Martinez and Leslie Boyd presented information on the City’s process for applying for HUD formula grants and updates from the fiscal year 2023-24 funding goals, outcomes, and impact. Julie Smith presented information on the community engagement process that informs the Housing Department’s action plan that will be submitted to HUD. Members provided feedback related to the fiscal year 2025-26 priorities. Updates from the Early Childhood Council Quality-of-Life (QoL) Study Workgroup regarding the previous meeting with study researcher Member McIllwain shared updates on the timeline for developing and testing the study’s survey for families. The next workgroup meeting will be in early May. Chair McHorse said that she will need to step down from the workgroup and invited members interested in joining the workgroup to reach out to the staff liaison ahead of the May 14 Early Childhood Council meeting. Updates from the March Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting Member McIllwain shared that the JIC passed 35 budget recommendations at the meeting in March. STAFF BRIEFINGS 7. Briefing from Caitlin Oliver, Austin Public Health (APH), regarding the Week of the Young Child; Public Health Week; the Family-Based Child Care Tour of Homes; and updates from related local early childhood groups such as Child Care Regulation EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 9, 2025 Caitlin Oliver shared information about the Week of the Young Child and Public Health Week proclamations that will be read at City Hall on April 10 and information about the Family-Based Child Care Tour of Homes on April 26. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Members listed the following future agenda items: • Update from Travis County about the implementation of Prop A, or the voter- approved child care and out-of-school time funding • Presentation from Decision Information Resources (DIR) regarding progress made on the quality-of-life study of Austin families with young children Chair McHorse adjourned the meeting at 10:13 a.m., without objection. The minutes were approved unanimously at the May 14, 2025, meeting on Member Freeland’s motion and Member Navarro’s second, on a 7-0 vote.