EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL January 12, 2022, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from November 10, 2021, meeting 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Review and discuss Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s response to the ECC memo approved at the November 10, 2021, meeting 3. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group proposed actions- Anna Lisa Conlin i. Resolution to ask the City to acknowledge the challenges and stress of child care service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to acknowledge the impactful contribution of the child care sector to the City’s economy ii. Discuss draft proclamation and ECC letter honoring Leonor Vargas and her contribution to early childhood education, children, families, and the public school system b. Joint Inclusion Committee updates- Raul Alvarez i. Appointment of 3 ECC members to attend the Joint Inclusion Committee budget meeting on January 29, 2022 c. Community Engagement Work Group updates ECC Budget Forum on February 19, 2022 i. ii. Community Advancement Network (CAN) Expanding Opportunity Forum on “Building a Family-Friendly Workplace” on February 9, 2022 d. Discuss ways ECC members can promote the Best Place for Working Parents campaign (January 10 - February 11, 2022) – Cathy McHorse 4. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates b. KinderCare at Bergstrom Tech opening and enrollment updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Update about Head Start from Child Inc b. Child care staffing shortage in Austin ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or email: Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Early Childhood Council, please contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or email: Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov.
BE RECOGN IZED AS A Gain a COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE with this INNOVATIVE BUSINESS DESIGNATION! 2022 open enrollment begins January 10. Take the self-assessment at bit.ly/bestplaceforworkingparentsatx to be elig ibl e for a Best Place for Working Parents® designation award. 3- MINUTE SELF-ASSESSMENT FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, AND ONLINE AVAILABLE TO ALL LOCAL BUSINESSES Be recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents® Business! Qualifying businesses will receive unique branding opportunities, including: • Best Place for Working Parents® 2022 badge • Listed in a press release sent to local media outlets • Logo on Early Matters Greater Austin website, and LinkedIn and Twitter channels • Logo in bimonthly email that goes to 100+ leading Austin businesses * Businesses who participate by February 11 will be recognized in the ways listed above. Being family-friendly is business friendly The Best Place for Working Parents® self-assessment highlights ONLY the family-friendly policies that also have research-proven benefit to businesses’ bottom line. Each question in the self-assessment ties to policies that positively impact employee attraction, retention, satisfaction, and productivity. To learn more, email Cathy McHorse at Cathy.McHorse@uwatx.org or visit bit.ly/bestplaceforworkingparentsatx. Early Matters Greater Austin mobilizes and unites the business community around the goal that all children in Greater Austin enter Kindergarten prepared for school success. United Way for Greater Austin
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20220112-3ai: Recommendation to acknowledge child care workers as essential workers and express gratitude for their service to the Austin community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic WHEREAS, Austin's housing and property values have increased dramatically in recent years; and WHEREAS, essential workers in the childcare industry are finding it nearly impossible to live in Austin with the rapidly increasing cost of living, especially in the housing market; and WHEREAS, the displacement of these essential workers to suburban and exurban communities will have long-term, harmful impacts on childcare options in Austin; and WHEREAS, Austin has long suffered from a severe shortage of affordable, quality childcare options; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Austin’s child care industry, leading to the permanent closure of untold numbers of childcare facilities; and WHEREAS, according to a 2021 NAECY survey, in Texas, 86% of child care centers are experiencing a staffing shortage. Further, 53% of programs impacted by staffing shortages are serving fewer children; 33% have a longer waitlist; 35% are unable to open classrooms; and 20% have reduced their operating hours (https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/user- 74/naeyc_survey_statedatawithquotes_sep2021.pdf); and WHEREAS, according to the Center for Study of Child Care Employment, The poverty rate for early educators working in the childcare industry in Texas is 18.6%, nearly twice as high as for Texas workers in general (9.7%) with a median wage of $10.15 (https://cscce.berkeley.edu/workforce-index- 2020/states/texas/); and WHEREAS, a shortage of childcare options has a severe and detrimental effect on the Austin economy, with lack of access to childcare being one of the primary reasons why people delay or avoid seeking employment; and WHEREAS, a recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Texas Chamber of Business and Industry, and Early Matters indicates that poor options for childcare in the State of Texas costs our state economy an estimated $9.39 billion annually (https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/article/building-strong-foundations-future). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council requests that the Austin City Council pass a resolution acknowledging that workers in the childcare field in Austin are essential workers who have experienced serious burdens and stress over the past few years, and are deserving of admiration and gratitude for their service to our community; and FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council to identify ways to alleviate the financial burden that is leading to the increasing displacement of these essential …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20220112-3ai: Recommendation to acknowledge child care workers as essential workers and express gratitude for their service to the Austin community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic WHEREAS, Austin's housing and property values have increased dramatically in recent years; and WHEREAS, essential workers in the childcare industry are finding it nearly impossible to live in Austin with the rapidly increasing cost of living, especially in the housing market; and WHEREAS, the displacement of these essential workers to suburban and exurban communities will have long-term, harmful impacts on childcare options in Austin; and WHEREAS, Austin has long suffered from a severe shortage of affordable, quality childcare options; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Austin’s child care industry, leading to the permanent closure of untold numbers of childcare facilities; and WHEREAS, according to a 2021 NAECY survey, in Texas, 86% of child care centers are experiencing a staffing shortage. Further, 53% of programs impacted by staffing shortages are serving fewer children; 33% have a longer waitlist; 35% are unable to open classrooms; and 20% have reduced their operating hours (https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/user- 74/naeyc_survey_statedatawithquotes_sep2021.pdf); and WHEREAS, according to the Center for Study of Child Care Employment, The poverty rate for early educators working in the childcare industry in Texas is 18.6%, nearly twice as high as for Texas workers in general (9.7%) with a median wage of $10.15 (https://cscce.berkeley.edu/workforce-index- 2020/states/texas/); and WHEREAS, a shortage of childcare options has a severe and detrimental effect on the Austin economy, with lack of access to childcare being one of the primary reasons why people delay or avoid seeking employment; and WHEREAS, a recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Texas Chamber of Business and Industry, and Early Matters indicates that poor options for childcare in the State of Texas
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, January 12, 2022 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse, Vice Chair Worthington, Council Members Alvarez, Demby, Hedrick, Huston, Paver, Schennum, and Wren Staff in attendance: Rachel Farley, Michelle Rodriguez CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. Introductions of all members. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No citizen communication. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from November 10, 2021, meeting – Member Huston moved to approve the minutes from the November 10, 2021, regular meeting. The minutes were approved by a vote of 9-0. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Review and discuss Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s response to the ECC memo approved at the November 10, 2021, meeting Chair McHorse summarized the steps the ECC has taken to understand barriers to accessing the child care system. In May 2021, community members provided public comment on the challenges they have had with navigating the system. ECC then invited Workforce Solutions (WFS) Capital Area to present at an ECC meeting in 2021. In November 2021, the ECC responded to the WFS presentation with a memo with specific requests to WFS. WFS responded in December 2021 and the response was discussed at an ECC Policy Workgroup meeting in January 2022. Last week, the Policy Workgroup sent a letter to WFS with follow-up questions. The WFS response to the Policy Workgroup letter includes the following updates: • Data spreadsheet of customer responses to survey- 2018 to present • Launched their texting feature to communicate with families in 2021 • Training on trauma informed care, team culture, and communications are scheduled for staff • Working on training videos in English and Spanish to help parents navigate system • All flyers for special projects/funding are available in English and Spanish • Online application form is available in at least 100 languages • New workflow system launched in October 2021 • Provider payment portal being discussed to ensure there are not security vulnerabilities • Tiger Team meetings are set to resume January/February 2022 • Created and convening a workgroup under a new contract with the City Members discussed the information provided by WFS. Vice Chair Worthington would like to know more about the survey and the steps WFS takes to remedy application errors. Council Member Tovo’s office told Chair McHorse that Austin Public Health has included expectations over …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL NOVEMBER 10, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from October 13, 2021, meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group proposed actions i. Vote on memo to Workforce Solutions Capital Area regarding child care ii. Vote on recommendation to City Council regarding child care scholarship scholarship system system iii. Vote on recommendation to City Council regarding federal child care funding b. Joint Inclusion Committee updates- Raul Alvarez i. Review and provide comments on the draft list of priority issues for the Joint Inclusion Committee. (Action) ii. Decide if the ECC wants to hold a budget hearing on early childhood issues in early 2022. (Action) c. Approve 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar 3. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates b. KinderCare at Bergstrom Tech updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Census data trends b. Update about Head Start from Child Inc c. Child care staffing shortage in Austin ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or email: Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Early Childhood Council, please contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or email: Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov.
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, October 13, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse; Vice Chair Worthington; Members Hosking Pulido, Gordon, Alvarez, Wren, Huston, Schennum, Paver, Bliss Lima, Hedrick, and Conlin Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley, and Donna Sundstrom CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL – No citizen communication 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 8, 2021, meeting – Member Hedrick moved to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved by a vote of 9-0 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar Staff liaisons Farley and Oliver shared considerations for keeping the ECC regular meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. for 2022. If the ECC were to schedule evening meetings for 2022, it may be more difficult to hold meetings at City Hall because many other Boards and Commissions have evening meetings. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECC considered a calendar with 2 evening meetings at locations that would be more convenient for community participation following requests for evening meetings from community organizations. Right now, all attendees must be in-person to participate. However, there is a City Council meeting agenda item to ask the City Manager to offer virtual options for Boards and Commissions meetings. Member Wren asked about having an ECC committee or workgroup meet in the evenings to get more community engagement. Member Gordon shared that the community engagement work group meets virtually from 3:30-4:40 p.m. If the ECC were to create a committee that would meet regularly, then the committee would need to post meeting agendas. Chair McHorse suggested that the staff liaison confirm the rules for committees and workgroups and whether there are virtual options for committee meetings. She also suggested meeting in the evening for April, which is also the Month of the Young Child, and in August, because that is the month that the ECC meeting typically not able to meet at City Hall on Wednesday morning due to City budget meetings. All other months, the ECC would keep meetings at 8:30 a.m., the second Wednesday of the month. Members supported having two evening meetings and for having one meeting in North Austin and one south. Staff liaison agreed to type up a proposed ECC 2022 …
Early Childhood Council DRAFT 2022 Proposed Calendar of Regular Meetings The ECC will meet on the second Wednesday of the month in 2022, except for in April and August when the ECC will meet on a different day of the week. There will not be meetings in July or December. Date Time Location * January 12 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) February 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) March 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) April 12 ???? p.m. TBD May 11 June 8 July – No meeting 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) August 13 ???? a.m. TBD September 14 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) October 12 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) November 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) December – No meeting * Locations subject to change, and will be listed on posted agendas and available on the Early Childhood Council page: http://austintexas.gov/ecc.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20211110-002aii: Recommendation about Child Care Scholarship System WHEREAS the Early Childhood Council is charged with developing, for recommendation to City Council, programs and activities that contribute to the continued development of a system of high-quality early care and education and after school programs for Austin's children; and developing, for recommendation to city council, strategies encouraging individuals and agencies to continually improve the quality of their services for young children; and WHEREAS In April and May of 2021, the Early Childhood Council (ECC) of the City of Austin heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they have faced successfully navigating the child care subsidy system; and WHEREAS the Early Childhood Council shared these concerns with Workforce Solutions (WFS) Capital Area Child Care Program Staff, and WFS staff graciously led a presentation and discussion at the August 2021 and September 2021 ECC meetings; and WHEREAS the Early Childhood Council is interested in collaborating with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to support efforts to engage with community members and to create systemic improvements in the administrative processes that establish eligibility, initial enrollment, and recertification as well as addressing client/provider questions; an WHEREAS the Early Childhood Council has shared the attached memo with the Executive Leadership at Workforce Solutions Capital Area; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council explore mechanisms for tracking these concerns and potential resolutions through City contracts with Workforce Solutions Capital Area. These could include as an example, establishing performance measures for customer service metrics and/or staff participation in training. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________
DRAFT To: Workforce Solutions Capital Area From: City of Austin Early Childhood Council Introduction In April and May of 2021, the Early Childhood Council (ECC) of the City of Austin heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they have faced successfully navigating the child care subsidy system. The ECC shared these concerns with Workforce Solutions (WFS) Capital Area Child Care Program Staff, and WFS staff graciously led a presentation and discussion at the August 2021 and September 2021 ECC meetings. As a result of these discussions, the Early Childhood Council is interested in collaborating with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to support efforts to engage with community members and to create systemic improvements in the administrative processes that establish eligibility, initial enrollment, and recertification as well as addressing client/provider questions. The ECC Council members acknowledge that WFS, as part of a state system, has to accommodate state and federal administrative burdens. We appreciate how the agency is trying to provide high quality services with limited resources, and want to lend our voice and efforts to collaborate on problem solving. Background: According to the Early Childhood Council Bylaws, the Council is responsible for recommendations to Austin City Council including the following: ● develop, for recommendation to city council, programs and activities that contribute to the continued development of a system of high-quality early care and education and after school programs for Austin's children; ● develop, for recommendation to city council, strategies encouraging individuals and agencies to continually improve the quality of their services for young children; As part of these responsibilities, the ECC launched a Community Engagement & Partnerships Work Group to build authentic, two-way paths of communication between the greater Austin community and the ECC in order to strengthen the policy and advocacy work of the ECC and amplify community voice and perspectives. The Work Group launched efforts in 2020 to hear directly from the community about their specific needs. In April 2021, the ECC Community Engagement and Partnerships Work Group heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they faced trying to navigate the child care subsidy system. In May 2021, the full ECC heard a presentation from community members about their concerns and experiences with the subsidy system. In addition, some written testimonials were submitted. A copy of this presentation and additional testimony is included in Attachment A. Concerns raised by community …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20211110-002aiii: Addressing the need for improvement in early childcare in Austin WHEREAS, the high cost of living and operating in Austin has been straining the childcare industry for years, even before COVID-19, making the operation of high-quality childcare in Austin nearly impossible; and WHEREAS, for many years, much of Austin has fallen into a category best described as a "High quality Child-Care Desert1," where demand for affordable high-quality childcare far exceeds available options; and WHEREAS, despite significant investments of local relief funding, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the already under-resourced and fragile childcare industry in Austin; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin Strategic Direction identifies equitable access to quality Early Childhood Education as a priority under Economic Mobility and Affordability with the number and percentage of children enrolled in quality Early Childhood Education programs (as evidenced by meeting Texas Rising Star criteria) metric as one of the Council’s top 10 indicators; and WHEREAS, young children in the City of Austin who are unable attend high-quality programs and public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic may carry the consequences of that gap in support for years to come and may need intensive supports to close gaps in academic and cognitive development quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic is resolved; and WHEREAS, legislation passed through the U.S. House of Representatives, and currently under review in the Senate (colloquially known as the "Build Back Better" reconciliation bill) would dramatically increase funding for child care and Pre-K. WHEREAS, the state of Texas would receive funding through this initiative based on an allotment determined by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act. Ultimately, over the life of 1 https://childrenatrisk.org/childcaredesertmap/ A TRS4 Star Child Care Desert refers to an area where there are less than 35 TRS4 Level child care seats for 100 children of working parents. this legislation, Texas would be required to provide matching funds, and as such, Texas may "opt out" of this program. WHEREAS, if the state of Texas does not "opt-in" to receive these funds, the proposal only provides for limited, competitive grants that cities and counties could apply for, in relatively small proportion compared to the full funding that states would receive if they "opt-in" to the program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council to direct state lobbying efforts to petition the state for adoption …
Tamara Atkinson, CEO, Workforce Solutions Capital Area Melanie Flowers, Board Chair, Workforce Solutions Capital Area November 12, 2021 To: From: City of Austin Early Childhood Council Introduction In April and May of 2021, the Early Childhood Council (ECC) of the City of Austin heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they have faced successfully navigating the child care subsidy system. The ECC shared these concerns with Workforce Solutions (WFS) Capital Area Child Care Program Staff, and WFS staff graciously led a presentation and discussion at the August 2021 and September 2021 ECC meetings. As a result of these discussions, the Early Childhood Council is interested in collaborating with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to support efforts to engage with community members and to create systemic improvements in the administrative processes that establish eligibility, initial enrollment, and recertification as well as addressing client/provider questions. The ECC Council members acknowledge that WFS, as part of a state system, has to accommodate state and federal administrative burdens. We appreciate how the agency seeks to provide high quality services with limited resources, and want to lend our voice and efforts to collaborate on problem solving. Background: According to the Early Childhood Council Bylaws, the Council is responsible for recommendations to Austin City Council including the following: ● develop, for recommendation to city council, programs and activities that contribute to the continued development of a system of high-quality early care and education and after school programs for Austin's children; ● develop, for recommendation to city council, strategies encouraging individuals and agencies to continually improve the quality of their services for young children; As part of these responsibilities, the ECC launched a Community Engagement & Partnerships Work Group to build authentic, two-way paths of communication between the greater Austin community and the ECC in order to strengthen the policy and advocacy work of the ECC and amplify community voice and perspectives. The Work Group launched efforts in 2020 to hear directly from the community about their specific needs. In April 2021, the ECC Community Engagement and Partnerships Work Group heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they faced trying to navigate the child care subsidy system. In May 2021, the full ECC heard a presentation from community members about their concerns and experiences with the subsidy system. In addition, some written testimonials were submitted. A copy of this presentation …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OCTOBER 13, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 8, 2021, meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar b. Brief updates on child care and pre-K systems in Austin- Cathy McHorse c. Discuss strategies and next steps regarding child care subsidy system- Anna Lisa Conlin d. Joint Inclusion Committee updates- Raul Alvarez i. ii. Priority issues adopted by the JIC ECC priority issues for JIC 3. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Approve 2022 meeting calendar b. Census data trends c. Update from Child Inc. on Head Start ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Rachel Farley, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5093 or email: Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Early Childhood Council, please contact Rachel Farley, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5093 or email: Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov.
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, October 13, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse; Vice Chair Worthington; Members Hosking Pulido, Gordon, Alvarez, Wren, Huston, Schennum, Paver, Bliss Lima, Hedrick, and Conlin Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley, and Donna Sundstrom CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL – No citizen communication 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 8, 2021, meeting – Member Hedrick moved to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved by a vote of 9-0 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar Staff liaisons Farley and Oliver shared considerations for keeping the ECC regular meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. for 2022. If the ECC were to schedule evening meetings for 2022, it may be more difficult to hold meetings at City Hall because many other Boards and Commissions have evening meetings. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECC considered a calendar with 2 evening meetings at locations that would be more convenient for community participation following requests for evening meetings from community organizations. Right now, all attendees must be in-person to participate. However, there is a City Council meeting agenda item to ask the City Manager to offer virtual options for Boards and Commissions meetings. Member Wren asked about having an ECC committee or workgroup meet in the evenings to get more community engagement. Member Gordon shared that the community engagement work group meets virtually from 3:30-4:40 p.m. If the ECC were to create a committee that would meet regularly, then the committee would need to post meeting agendas. Chair McHorse suggested that the staff liaison confirm the rules for committees and workgroups and whether there are virtual options for committee meetings. She also suggested meeting in the evening for April, which is also the Month of the Young Child, and in August, because that is the month that the ECC meeting typically not able to meet at City Hall on Wednesday morning due to City budget meetings. All other months, the ECC would keep meetings at 8:30 a.m., the second Wednesday of the month. Members supported having two evening meetings and for having one meeting in North Austin and one south. Staff liaison agreed to type up a proposed ECC 2022 …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 8, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from August 16, 2021 meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Discussion on Child Care Subsidies – Guest: Nicole Robinson, Director of Child Care Contracts, Workforce Solutions Capital Area b. Community Engagement Work Group updates- Community experiences navigating child care systems c. Policy Work Group updates i. City Economic Prosperity Commission exploring concerns about child care ii. City Council approved Inclusion of child care as requested use in competitive real estate processes and in lease, acquisition, or redevelopment of City property iii. Child Care Regulations translated Listed Family Home Standards into Spanish iv. Digital Inclusion and Early Childhood b. Winter Storm Review Task Force final report update- Aletha Huston c. ECC topics to take to Joint Inclusion Committee 3. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Census data trends ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Rachel Farley, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5093 or email: Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Early Childhood Council, please contact Rachel Farley, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-5093 or email: Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov.
