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Early Childhood Council Homepage
Approved Minutes — original pdf
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 13, 2022 1. 2. EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022 The Early Childhood Council convened in a regular meeting on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 1200 Montopolis Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair McHorse called the Early Childhood Council Meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse, Vice Chair Worthington, and Members Alvarez, Bliss Lima, Gordon, Hedrick, Hosking Pulido, and Huston Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Members McCollum, Paver, and Schennum Staff in Attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Cindy Gamez, Michelle Rodriguez, and Donna Sundstrom PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There was no public comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Early Childhood Council Regular Meeting on June 8, 2022. The minutes from the meeting of 6/8/2022 were approved on Member Hedrick’s motion, Member Huston’s second on a 9-0 vote. Member Schennum off the dais. Member Paver absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion of the purpose of the Early Childhood Council (ECC) and recent actions taken by the ECC The presentation and discussion were led by Chair McHorse. The presentation included the following information • The purpose of the ECC; • The ECC’s alignment with the City of Austin’s Strategic Direction 2023 early childhood metrics and the Austin-Travis County Success by 6 Strategic Plan; • The ECC’s membership on the City’s Joint Inclusion Committee; • A summary of the 2020-2021 ECC Annual Review; and EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 13, 2022 • An overview of the COVID-19 relief funding that the ECC supported. Updates from related groups (as needed), including Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Austin ISD, Child Care Regulation, Child Inc, E3 Alliance, Success By 6 Coalition, Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Any Baby Can, and other groups in attendance Updates and announcements on programming and services were given by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Child Care Regulation, and GoAustin/VamosAustin (GAVA). Workforce Solutions has been hosting parent and child care provider focus groups and plans to share findings at the next ECC meeting. GAVA shared updates on recent work with local family-based child care providers and the GAVA City of Austin Budget Recommendation: Fiscal Year 2023, which includes the following early childhood and family health equity recommendation: “ARPA Funds created or increased stability for many home- based family child care providers and parents, but those funds are coming to an end. A $250,000 allocation, …
Item 8- Update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) early childhood funding — original pdf
ECC Funding An overview of the ECC’s Original Funding Recommendations and where they stand now. Matt Worthington Vice-Chair, Early Childhood Council AUGUST 13TH, 2022 The Whole Ask Below is a table that shows the total original ask and total current ask to the City + County for early childhood funding allocations from ARPA funds. PRIORITY REQUESTED CITY COUNTY ESTIMATES1 COUNTY + ESTIMATES 1 P1 - Continuity of Care & Navigation $6,000,000 $2,498,936 $1,510,416 $2,114,582 $3,624,998 2 P4 - ECE Workforce $1,000,000 $922,945 3 P2 - PreK Partnerships & Family Child Care $2,200,000 $1,213,000 $979,167 $1,370,834 $2,350,001 ORIGINAL ASK (FIRST 15 MONTHS) CURRENT COUNTY ASK (NEXT 21 MONTHS) 4 P3 - Shared Services & Nontraditional Hour Care $2,500,000 $1,250,000 5 P5 - Ready Families Collaborative $250,000 $177,083 $52,083 $72,916 6 PreK Expansion (DVISD & AISD) $2,875,000 $1,460,075 $250,000 $350,000 7 Family Connects $3,540,000 $2,325,000 — — — — — — — — — $124,999 $600,000 1 Estimates are calculated by dividing the original allocation by County Officials and dividing that by 15 months. The resulting monthly amount is then multiplied by 21 months. Data: Notes from Travis County + City of Austin Meetings Background on ARPA Funding Requests vs. Allocations This chart shows how much funding was requested as part of the ECC’s original recommended allocation of funding. The following charts will show what dollars went unfunded from the original ask. Data: Notes from Travis County + City of Austin Meetings Requests vs. Allocations This chart shows how much funding was provided towards the ECC’s original recommended allocation of funding and what dollars went unfunded from the original ask. Data: Notes from Travis County + City of Austin Meetings Requests vs. Allocations (Ext.) This chart shows how much funding the city and the county allocated towards the ECC’s original recommended allocation of funding. What’s remaining from the original ask is in grey. Data: Notes from Travis County + City of Austin Meetings Requests vs. Allocations (Detailed) This chart shows, by priority, how much funding the city and the county allocated towards the ECC’s original recommended allocation of funding. What’s remaining from the original ask is in grey.
Agenda — original pdf
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL June 8, 2022, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register, contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from May 11, 2022, meeting 2. PRESENTATIONS Presenters: a. Updates from Child Inc on Early Head Start and Head Start programs • Beverly Davis, Child Inc, Interim Head Start Director • Belen Hernandez, Child Inc, Dual Language Coordinator • Edith Gray, Child Inc, Funds Development PR/Social Media Consultant b. Updates from the Austin Independent School District on Head Start program Presenter: • Ashlee Johnson, Austin ISD, Head Start Administrator 3. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group updates i. Discuss next steps following the Austin Public Health presentation on City actions since 2017 Child Care and Pre-K Resolution ii. Discuss Regional Economic Equity Development Plan (REED) presentation from the Austin Diversity and Ethnic Chambers of Commerce (DECA) iii. August ECC meeting iv. v. City Council member visits and City Council budget hearing speakers Standing agenda item inviting early childhood related groups to share updates organized by the Success By 6 Coalition to discuss early childhood investments b. Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) updates i. Topics to bring to JIC 4. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates 5. RELATED GROUPS (As needed) a. Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children b. Child Care Regulation c. Child Inc d. E3 Alliance e. Success By 6 Coalition f. Workforce Solutions Capital Area FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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) …
Austin ISD Presentation — original pdf
Austin ISD Head Start Ashlee Johnson Head Start Administrator, Austin ISD 1 History and Program Overview • Austin ISD is annually awarded $1.6M for 5 years – Serving families in Austin/Travis Co. • Total of 204 full day slots - Pre-K3 only • Certified Teacher and Teaching Assistant • Located on Elementary School campuses 8 sites currently – Guerrero-Thompson, Jordan, Rodriguez, Langford, Oak Springs, Sanchez, Uphaus Early Learning Center and Houston 2 Services for Families ● Vision and Hearing Screening ● Dedicated Family Advocate ● Family Needs Assessment and Goal Setting ● Special Education and Behavior Supports ● Wrap-Around services and supports ● Parent Meetings and Parenting Curriculum Classes ● Parent Representation via Policy Council 3 Partners 4 What are we excited about? • 204 students consistently enrolled • Over 90% of students have up to date physical/dental screenings • Use of technology – Text Messaging – Recordings of Parent Meeting/Parenting Curriculum – Swivil Cameras - Coaching and Parent Meetings • Community Partners 5 What do we need support with? • After School Childcare for 3-yr olds • Full Day Pre-K 3 6 Questions For information on AISD Head Start visit: https://www.austinisd.org/early-childhood/head-start For Information on AISD Head Start Policy Council visit: https://www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/hspc/meetings 7
Child Inc Presentation — original pdf
E d u c a t i n g F a m i l i e s . R a i s i n g F a m i l i e s . 1 9 7 2 - 2 0 2 2 VISION To create a community where all children regardless of income have an equal opportunity to become independent and self-sufficient adults. MISSION Provide high quality education and comprehensive support services for children and their families while supporting personal and social responsibility in the communities we serve. 50 YEARS of SERVICE Child Inc Head Start is a national high-quality research based early childhood development program designed to promote school readiness for families living in poverty with children ages 0-5 including pregnant mothers, the program is focused on closing the achievement gap between more affluent peers and lower income children. For 50 years, Child Inc has been preparing very low-income preschool children to succeed in school. We pursue a strong, clear, and comprehensive focus on all aspects of healthy development, including social, emotional, cognitive, physical development including mental health and disabilities. History Core Programs NAEYC Accredited Centers Early Head Start (EHS) for 0 to 3-year-olds Head Start (HS) Including Dual Language for 3-to 5-year-olds Home Based Services 0–3-year-olds Parent, Family and Community Engagement Summer Learning Program (funded in part by the COA) After School Program (funded in part by the COA & Travis County) Childcare Partnership Grant Pregnant / Expectant Families Program Fatherhood Engagement Services provided in classroom learning, home visitor & collaborative classrooms within Austin, Del Valle, & Manor ISD’s. 1 2 3 • • • • • Eligibility Requirements • • Income Eligible Families at 100% of HHS Poverty Guidelines SNAP, TANF and/or SSI Recipients Reside in Travis County Income Eligible Families with Children Ages Birth to Five Income Eligible Expectant Families Foster Children Are Eligible Regardless of Their Foster Family’s Income Children From Families Experiencing Homelessness Center Locations 1 American Youth Works CDC** ~ 78741 2 Brodie CDC* ~ 78745 3 Cedar Bend CDC* ~ 78758 4 Dawson CDC* ~ 78704 5 Dove Springs CDC ~ 78744 6 Forbes CDC* ~ 78754 7 Fountain Plaza CDC* ~ 78751 8 Child Inc Main Office ~ 78751 9 Grant CDC* ~ 78758 10 Mainsprings CDC** ~ 78704 11 Palomita CDC** ~ 78744 12 Rosewood Zaragosa CDC* ~ 78702 …
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Approved Minutes — original pdf
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 8, 2022 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Board Members in Attendance: Vice Chair Worthington, Council Members Alvarez, Bliss Lima, Conlin, Hedrick, Hosking Pulido, Huston, McCollum, and Schennum Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Donna Sundstrom, Cindy Gamez, and Michelle Rodriguez CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chair Worthington called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No public comment 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from May 11, 2022, meeting – Member Huston moved to approve the minutes from the May 11, 2022, regular meeting. Member Conlin seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote of 9-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS a. Updates from Child Inc on Early Head Start and Head Start programs Presenters: • Beverly Davis, Child Inc, Interim Head Start Director • Belen Hernandez, Child Inc, Dual Language Coordinator • Edith Gray, Child Inc, Funds Development PR/Social Media Consultant Davis provided an overview of Child Inc’s Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) programs, including highlights and areas in which the program needs additional support. Core Programs • City funding allows for Child Inc to provide after school care from 3-5 p.m. and summer camp programming, which the Head Start funding does not allow. Six slots are geared to expectant mothers, with priority for teenage pregnancies. Eligibility Requirements Center Locations • Families eligible for SNAP benefits are now eligible for Head Start. They do prioritize children in foster care and experiencing homelessness. • Child Inc Head Start has 12 stand-alone sites and other programs located at collaborating partner sites, including classrooms in Manor, Del Valle, and Austin ISDs. • Every 5 years they do a community assessment to determine location of services, especially in growing areas like Del Valle and Manor. Enrollment • 156 children enrolled for home-based services, 176 enrolled for center-based services. • They have the space and funding to cover the waitlist, but they do not have enough teachers to open additional classrooms. • Child Inc is looking to convert about 300 3- and 4-year-old slots to about 100 infant and toddler program slots because of the high competition in schools for the 3- and 4-year-old slots. Full Day Programming Supporting Working Families • Educational curriculum is used in afterschool and summer programs. Their Head Start program utilizes The Creative Curriculum and the Scholastic curriculum, as well as the Parents as …
Agenda — original pdf
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL May 11, 2022, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Early Childhood Council may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register, contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from April 12, 2022, meeting 2. PRESENTATIONS a. Updates on Texas legislative actions in the 87th Legislature impacting the City of Austin Presenter: • Brie Franco, City of Austin Intergovernmental Relations Office, Intergovernmental Relations Officer b. Austin Public Health updates on City actions since 2017 Child Care and Pre-K Resolution Presenters: Services • Donna Sundstrom, Austin Public Health, Assistant Director of Community • Rachel Farley, Austin Public Health, Early Childhood Program Coordinator 3. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group updates i. Prioritization of early childhood education workforce and families with young children in City anti-displacement planning ii. Discuss adding standing agenda item inviting early childhood related groups to share updates as needed iii. Discuss access to competitive bidding process for City social service contracts b. Topics to bring to Joint Inclusion Committee 4. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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.
87th State Legislature Presentation — original pdf
87TH STATE LEGISLATURE Intergovernmental Relations Office – Brie L. Franco, Officer 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION: RECAP • 7,148 bills and joint resolutions filed and reviewed by IGRO • 15% of filed bills & joint resolutions ultimately passed • This is a reduced passage rate of 5% from previous sessions • 67% of passed bills filed by Republicans & 33% filed by Democrats • 21 vetoes by the governor. • IGRO tracked 2,254 bills and joint resolutions 1 87TH SPECIAL SESSIONS: STATISTICS 1st Called Session • July 8 – Aug. 6 • 405 bills & joint resolutions filed & reviewed IGRO • No bills passed 2nd Called Session • Aug. 7 – Sept. 2 • 380 bills & joint resolutions filed & reviewed IGRO • 15 bills & joint resolutions passed 3rd Called Session • Sept. 20 – Oct 19 • 249 bills & joint resolutions filed & reviewed IGRO • 11 bills & joint resolutions passed 2 87TH PASSED BILLS: NEGATIVE FOR CITY City Police Funding Camping Ban HB 1900 (Goldman) HB 1925 (Capriglione) Gas Preemption HB 17 (Deshotel) Effective Sept. 1, 2021 Effective Sept. 1, 2021 Effective May 18, 2021 No Contracts : Firearm Boycott SB 19 (Schwertner) Effective Sept. 1, 2021 Permitless Carry HB 1927 (Schaefer) Effective Sept. 1, 2021 3 87TH PASSED BILLS: POSITIVE FOR THE CITY APRS Pensions HB 4368 (Rodriguez) Cloud Computing SB 58 (Zaffirini) Effective Sept. 1, 2021 Effective June 3, 2021 Local Health Department Medicaid SB 73 (Miles) Effective Sept. 1, 2021 4 87TH BILLS FAILED TO PASS: POSITIVE FOR CITY Community Advocacy SB 10 (Hall) AE Rates Super Preemption SB 566 (Buckingham) HB 610 (Swanson) HB 2775 (Cain) HB 3909 (Harris) Lake Austin Disannexation SB 659 (Buckingham) HB 1653 (Craddick ) West Rim Disannexation HB 2776 (Deshotel) Lost Creek Disannexation SB 1499 (Buckingham) HB 3827 (Wilson) Noise Ordinance Preemption HB 3813 (Harris) Homeless Housing SB 646 & SB 796 (Schwertner) HB 1803 (Wilson) Employment Preemption SB 14 (Creighton) 5 87TH BILLS: EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL Rising Star Program & Pre-K Partnerships HB 2607 (Talarico) Child Care Workforce Strategic Plan HB 619 (Senfronia Thompson) PASSED Medicaid for Mothers HB 133 (Rose) FAILED Office of Early Childhood HB 51 (Talarico) Child Care Cost Study Office for Health Equity HB 1964 (Lopez) HB 4139 (Coleman) 6 88TH SESSION: CHANGES • Changes in Senate membership & leadership • Potentially 40 new members in House • Austin delegation changes …
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Presentation on City actions since 2017 Child Care and Pre-K Resolution — original pdf
Updates: High Quality Child Care and Pre-K 3 Resolution Work Group 2018 recommendations to Council Early Childhood Council May 11, 2022 DONNA SUNDSTROM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RACHEL FARLEY, EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM COORDINATOR Background • Sept. 2017 Council Resolution 20170928-057 • 12 deliverables • APH convened work group of early childhood stakeholders • April 2018 staff response to 2017 resolution sent to Council • Interactive Map • 14 recommendations from work group • August 2019 staff update to Council Policy Recommendations Policy Recommendation 1 RECOMMENDATION UPDATES Explore fee waivers for expenses related to opening, expanding or operating high quality child care centers Explore increasing zoning categories where child care is a permitted use or consider waiver for the condition use permit process and/or waiver for condition use permit fees Council Resolution 20181004-036 – evaluate fee and zoning regulations relating to child care centers. January 2019, APH amended the Fee Schedule and City Code Chapter 10-3 – waived fees for food establishment permits ($359 annual savings) and general environment/licensing inspections ($110 annual savings) for high quality child care centers that accept scholarships April 12, 2019, response to Council from Planning and Zoning and Development Services Departments with recommendations APH is in discussion with Planning & Zoning Dept. and Austin Fire Dept. Policy Recommendation 2 Develop a policy in consultation to include the option and related price estimate for an affordable, high quality child care facility for Request for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Applications (RFAs), and other competitive processes that the City conducts to lease or develop space for projects such as affordable housing, office space, Parks facilities, and/or mixed use development. • Consider feasibility • Consider if quality child care needed in the area Any future City projects that will house a significant number of employees such as the space for the Development Services Department on the Highland Mall campus, the future headquarters for Austin Energy, the future headquarters for the Austin Police Department, and any other large facilities should include a cost estimate and option for inclusion of an onsite quality child care center for Council to consider as part of each project. Policy Rec. 2 Updates 2019 – Revised of guidelines for Low Income Housing Tax Credit Resolution program In process – Rental Housing Development Assistance Program (RHDA) scoring system application and scoring being updated to incorporate access to affordable, high-quality child care 2021 – Council resolution 20210826-108 reaffirming that new …
Approved Minutes — original pdf
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, May 11, 2022 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse, Council Members Alvarez, Bliss Lima, Conlin, Hedrick, Hosking Pulido, McCollum, and Schennum Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Donna Sundstrom, Cindy Gamez, Rachel Farley, and Michelle Rodriguez CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No public comment 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from April 12, 2022, meeting – Member Hedrick moved to approve the minutes from the April 12, 2022, regular meeting. Member Conlin seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote of 8-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS a. Updates on Texas legislative actions in the 87th Legislature impacting the City of • Brie Franco, City of Austin Intergovernmental Relations Office, Intergovernmental Relations Officer Austin Presenter: Presentation to be rescheduled. Resolution Presenters: Services b. Austin Public Health updates on City actions since 2017 Child Care and Pre-K • Donna Sundstrom, Austin Public Health, Assistant Director of Community • Rachel Farley, Austin Public Health, Early Childhood Program Coordinator The presenters provided updates on work completed and underway in response to a City Council resolution passed in September 2017 which directed staff to respond to twelve deliverables related to expanding existing affordable high-quality child care services and access to Pre-K. • 2017- Austin Public Health (APH) convened a High Quality Child Care and Pre-K Resolution Work Group made up of early care and education stakeholders. • April 2018- Staff submitted a response to Council which included a map of child care and Pre-K in Austin-Travis County, information on the availability of affordable, high-quality early care and education, and 14 recommendations from the work group—two policy recommendations, four funding recommendations, one bond recommendation, and seven recommendations related to both policy and funding. • April 2019- Council (Resolution No. 20190411-020) directed the City Manager to implement any policies from the High Quality Child Care and Pre-K 3 Report that could be implemented without Council action and to present a feasibility report for full Council consideration. APH communicated with various City departments and reconvened the stakeholder work group. A link to the staff response to Council is included in the presentation slide deck, which has been posted as a backup document for this meeting. The work group proposed 2 policy recommendations: • Policy Recommendation 1—Explore fee waivers for expenses related to …
Agenda — original pdf
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL April 12, 2022, 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM #1406 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 by 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. To register, contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers to register will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from March 9, 2022, meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Annual ECC officer elections b. Policy Work Group updates i. Workforce Solutions Capital Area request to add appointee to the ECC ii. Recommendation to increase Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) spending on Early Head Start and child care for teen parents iii. Recommendation related to community engagement for APH social service contracts iv. Recommendation regarding affordable housing investments v. Recommendation to prioritize early childhood education workforce and families with young children in City anti-displacement planning c. Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) updates i. Update on budget actions taken up by the JIC and consider endorsement or adoption of those budget actions ii. Topics for the ECC to take to the JIC d. Community Engagement Work Group updates i. Early childhood organizations/task forces in the community that the work group e. Week of the Young Child proclamation at City Council meeting on April 21, 2022 can support 4. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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.
Draft Recommendation regarding affordable housing for families (Item 2biv) — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20220412-2biv: Affordable Housing for Families WHEREAS, the City of Austin Strategic Plan section Economic Opportunity & Affordability contains several strategies to reduce inequities in availability of affordable housing: Strategy #5: Develop and act on recommendations to reduce the number of households and businesses displaced from Austin due to unaffordability; Strategy #7: Acknowledge Austin’s history of racial segregation and counter it by applying an equity perspective to the City’s land development code and associated programs and policies, aligning with community priorities as articulated in Imagine Austin, and ensuring affordable housing options throughout Austin; and Strategy #8: Define and enact our response to homelessness focusing on efficient and effective use of our resources to address disparities, prevent homelessness, and support housing stability WHEREAS, almost 32,000 children under 6 in Austin live in households with low incomes (less than 200% of federal poverty level, which is slightly under $53,000 per year for a family of 4); WHEREAS, families with children need housing that includes at least two bedrooms and, in many cases three or four bedrooms; for example, social services often require that children of different genders have separate bedrooms; WHEREAS: enrollments in AISD have declined over the last several years in part because families with children are moving to outlying areas in order to find affordable housing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Austin Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council to prioritize the needs of families with low incomes for affordable housing, including increasing the availability of 3 (and 4) bedroom units. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: _____________________________ Attest: _____________________________________________
Draft Recommendation related to social service contracts (Item 2biii) — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20220412-2biii: Recommendation related to community engagement for APH social service contracts WHEREAS, the Strategic Direction 2023 identifies GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL as a strategic outcome that includes believing that city government works effectively and collaboratively for all of us— that it is equitable, ethical and innovative; and WHEREAS, in 2016 the City of Austin established an Equity Office to focus on advancing equity in all aspects of City operations; and WHEREAS, the Equity Office works across all City departments and with major institutions, non-profits, and other community organizations working in Austin to build capacity and leadership in working from a racial equity lens; and WHEREAS, a June 2018 report regarding the implementation of the Equity Assessment Tooli identified weaknesses in community engagement by City departments but also strengths within Austin Public Health which “Uses formal processes to gather community feedback, including: focus groups, client surveys, public meetings, stakeholder groups, consulting with social services contractors and quality of life”; and WHEREAS, principals of equitable public engagement (premised on the belief that everyone has the right to be involved in decisions that will affect their life) includes providing equitable financial compensation to individuals and communities with lived experience, valuing their time and expertise in planning and implementationii; and specifically, for early childhood systems, centering parent voice in developing recommendationsiii; and WHEREAS, among major U.S. metro areas, Austin saw the 12th biggest increase in the cost of living from 2010 to 2020, according to a new analysis of federal dataiv; and WHEREAS, “Care work is vital to individual, household, and economic stability. Unfortunately, this highly demanded and demanding work is deeply undervalued and undercompensated. The care workers who allow those in their care—and their families—to flourish are paid persistently low wages with few employer benefits.”v NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council to consider requirements in City-funded social service contracts that: • Include opportunity for community and client voice and input by requiring community and client engagement and feedback in the development and implementation of programs and services; and • Provide a stipend to compensate for community member and client participation in planning and implementation of programs; and Include Cost of Living Increases for social service contracts for staff • Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: _____________________________ Attest: _____________________________________________ i https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/pio/document.cfm?id=300307 ii https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/community-voice-expertise iii https://earlysuccess.org/allies-convene-to-share-tips-and-best-practices-for-centering-parent-voices/ iv https://austin.culturemap.com/news/city-life/02-01-22-austin-spike-in-cost-of-living-filterbuy-aus/ …
Draft Recommendation to increase funding for Early Head Start and School-based Child Care (Item 2bii) — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20220412-2bii: Early Head Start and School-based Child Care WHEREAS, the City of Austin Strategic Plan, Economic Opportunity and Affordability Strategy 10 is to create equitable access to quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) by supporting families who do not qualify for existing free programs and cannot afford quality programs on their own, increasing availability of quality ECE programs, and encouraging living wages for ECE providers; WHEREAS, the City of Austin Strategic Plan, Economic Opportunity and Affordability Strategy 11 is to advance economic mobility by equipping and empowering families with wrap around services over a multi-year period so that parents can succeed in the workforce and children are prepared to succeed in adulthood; WHEREAS, almost 32,000 children under 6 in Austin live in households with low incomes (less than 200% of federal poverty level); WHEREAS, increasing access to high quality early care and education for infants and toddlers is a state and local priority for both the United Way Success By 6 Coalition and the Texas Prenatal to Age 3 Collaborative agenda; WHEREAS, a stimulating and nurturing environment during the first three years of life is centrally important for cognitive and social development of children; WHEREAS, the number of child care spaces available and affordable for parents with low incomes is very small in comparison to the need; WHEREAS, school-based child care helps parenting adolescents to stay in school and to graduate, which in turn is a benefit for their own futures and those of their children; WHEREAS, school districts attended by many students in the city other than AISD do not currently offer child care (e.g., Del Valle); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council to increase funding for child care services under the Community Development Block Grant for a) Early Head Start and b) expansion of the Teen Parent Child Care Program to provide child care for teen parents who are enrolled in districts other than Austin Independent School District (AISD). Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: _____________________________ Attest: _____________________________________________
Draft Recommendation to prioritize families and ECE workers in anti-displacement planning (Item 2bv) — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20220412-2bv: Recommendation to prioritize early childhood education workforce and families with young children in City anti-displacement planning WHEREAS, the City of Austin Anti-Displacement Task Force was created and charged with setting metrics and goals, and giving preliminary recommendations for displacement prevention; and WHEREAS, for families in Austin, child care is the second highest cost behind housingi, and lack of access to affordable child care was one of the top barriers to workforce participation; and WHEREAS, in Austin/Travis County there are almost 32,000 children under age 6 living in households with low-income (approximately 200% of the federal poverty level), and 90% of children living in poverty are children of color –only 10% are non-Hispanic White; and WHEREAS, child care programs are experiencing an unprecedented staffing crisisii that is impacting child care access for families in Austin; including • 89% of programs surveyed have experienced difficulty hiring staff in the past six months (95% of programs that accept child care subsidies) • 75% of programs surveyed report current staff vacancies • 56% of these programs are under-enrolled due to staffing shortages and 43% are limiting hours as a result WHEREAS, according to the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, the median wage for child care programs in Texas is $10.14/houriii and the City of Austin living wage is $15; WHEREAS, in Texas, compared to all workers in all other sectors with similar demographic characteristics (e.g. gender, race/ethnicity, education) child care workers earn 19.2% less than other sectors; and WHEREAS, national data indicates that the predominately female (94%) early care and education workforce is more racially and linguistically diverse than K-12 teachers. People of color comprise 40% of early care and education professionals, and 22% are foreign born;iv and WHEREAS, local child care programs cannot increase wages without increasing the cost of care for families which disproportionately impacts families with low-income who have the least ability to pay for child care; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council recommends that the City of Austin Anti-Displacement Task Force prioritize families with young children living in low-income households, and the early childhood education workforce, in anti-displacement efforts, especially in • Preserving and expanding the supply of affordable housing • Preserving and growing small businesses and cultural assets • Controlling land for community development • Income and asset creation by providing needed services - childcare, transportation, …
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20220412-2bii Early Head Start and Child Care for Teen Parents — original pdf
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