Birth to Five/Ingham Great Start Collaborative 
Vision Statement: “Every Ingham County child ready to succeed in school and life”

 Ingham Great Start Collaborative, Birth to Five

MINUTES August 15, 2007

Present:  Julie Allen - CAPS, Lori Brasic - OYC, Carol Buzzitta - EPO, Lisa Chambers – ICHD/JumpStart/MIOP, Natasha Davidson - ICHD, Mary Ferranti - Circuit Court, Chuck Goeke – Baker-Donora Network Center, Shane Goodale- Parent, Rona Harris – Parent, Fran Jozefowicz – CMH, Barry Kaufman - CEI-CMH, Lucy McClintic – CACS Head Start, Tom Mumby – Lansing School District, Michelle Nicholson - IISD, Elizabeth North – Parent, Bev Phillips - Lansing School District, Stephanie Peters – Ingham ISD, Yvonne Phillips - Lansing Mayor’s Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives, Sharlina Pye-Mack - Parent, Peggy Roberts - Power of We Consortium, Ken Sperber - Community Rep, Michelle Strasz – Reach out and Read, Beany Tomber - MSU/WKAR, Nichole Welz - CADL, and Cherie Ross-Barber - ECIC

Introductions and Approval of Minutes

            Michelle called the meeting to order at 1:38pm and members introduced themselves to the group.  Two new parent representatives Shane Goodaco and Elizabeth North were welcomed to the GSC, as well as first time participants Chuck Goeke (Baker-Donora Network Center), Nicole Welz (Capital Area District Library) and Michelle Strasz (Reach Out and Read).  The Minutes from the 7/11/07 Ingham GSC meeting were reviewed and approved without any corrections.

ECIC updates 

   
Current Budget Spending

• Fourth quarter of current Fiscal Year underspent by $10k, cumulatively YTD up to $15k
• Additional efforts required in some specific areas; within budget line-items allowed 10% flexibility; unspent funds do not carry over into next Fiscal Year
  
  Operations Committee discussed and recommended the following:
• Increase percentage of Michelle’s salary charged to GSC grant (currently at 25% but works close to 70% time on grant)
• Hire temporary clerical support for the 20 Community Conversation meetings ($3k)
• Increase Ken’s contract to include efforts in preparing Ingham Community Report and helping facilitate Community Conversations ($2k)
• Increase Yvonne’s contract to increase Faith-Based outreach events, eg BCFI Block Party,  Fellowship in the Park ($800)
• Look into additional new contract to assist in preparing materials for Strategic Plan 

The Ingham GSC voted to approve for Michelle to move ahead with all of these recommended expenditures.  

Proposed Inter-local Agreement (a formal partnership contract between ECIC and ISDs)

• Recommend 1 member for ECIC Corporate Board representing Ingham County (for approval by Ingham ISD Board of Education) – Member’s role is to approve ECIC Audit and Budget at annual meeting (Lucy nominated)
• Also, suggest to ECIC 2 additional members for ECIC Corporate Board (for Governor’s approval) (Shane volunteered)

Contract Extension and FY2007-08 Funding

• Ingham GSC (along with 14 of 21 funded Collaboratives) will be designated as  “Planning Continuation” for 4 more months, and then apply to receive “Implementation Grant”
• 4-month Contract Extension (10/1/07- 1/31/08) = $53,330 ($3,330 for Parent Coalition)
• Additional $3,330 designated for Parent Support, Parent Coordinator and Parent Liaisons
• Requires 4-month revised Work Plan and Budget due Sept. 12, 2007
• Followed by 8-month new Contract (2/1/08 – 9/30/08) = $110,000 ($10k for Parent Coalition)
• Requires completed Strategic Plan and new 8-month Work Plan and Budget
• Total Fiscal Year allocation = $163,330 up from current 12 month contract of $160,000

Strategic Plan (required completion by 1/31/08) includes:

• Executive Summary
• Profile & History
• Strategic Analysis Findings
• Goals & Strategies
• Action Agenda
• Finance & Fund Development

Fight Crime Invest in Kids (K.P. Pelleran) 9/24/07, 10-11:30am

• Capital Regional Showcase (Ingham, Eaton, Clinton Counties), MSU Kellogg Center
• Invites Law Enforcement, Local Officials, Agency Directors (“grass tops meeting”)
• Presents research on crime prevention impact and other benefits of investment in children

Up Coming ECIC Events

• “Cosmic Collaboration” Annual Bd Mtg & Reception (10/11/07 evening - Cranbrook Institute, Bloomfield Hills), MN & 8 GSC members
• Technical Assistance half-day Mini-Conference (10/25/07, 10am-2pm – Flint), Michelle, Ken, Sharlina & 9 other GSC members
• National Governors Assoc. grant for Early Childhood Challenge (11/13/07 – MSU Kellogg Ctr)
• Quarterly TA (11/28-30/07 in Grand Rapids), Michelle & 1 GSC member

Feedback on Community Report and Community Conversations
            Sharlina and other GSC members shared their impressions about the Ingham Community Report and the first few Community Conversations.  Sharlina commented it took time in the sessions to help parents break down the goals and understand them.  Elizabeth commented that is was hard for some to think outside the box.  Chuck offered that although the numbers clearly show how hard hit Lansing is we should also keep in mind that the out-County areas of Mason, Leslie, Dansville and Stockbridge also have many real problems.  Chuck also suggested using the Network Centers to help convene additional Community Conversations to hear directly from people in the community most directly effected. 

Bishop Maxwell asked if comparisons could be made to other similar sized urban areas (like Flint Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Grand Rapids) instead of only to Michigan averages.  (Ken followed up and sent Bishop Maxwell the link to the Kids Count - Community Level Information on Kids, the CLIKS website which allows these city to city comparisons.)

New Strategies ideas: Family Place Library, Family-Friend-Neighbor Resource Fair

            Nichole Welz gave a brief summary of her visit with Michelle to the Family Place Library in Long Island, New York.  In the discussion it was suggested that the GPGS playgroups could maybe partner with the libraries and other agencies to expand the facilitation of the groups and broaden the audience we are currently reaching.  Bev suggested that the Lansing Harley Franks Early Childhood Center also has the potential as a site for additional family, friend and neighbor programming, and family literacy activities.   It was also suggested that the libraries could try and include family, friend and neighbor child care providers in the ongoing Family Literacy Workshops. It was suggested that we let these ideas percolate around and see if they might be developed into strategies for the Children’s Action Agenda.

            Barry described the idea of a Resource Fun Fair focused on family, friends and neighbor care providers  (including day care aides and relative care providers) as a way to reach and engage more families.  Lucy mentioned including this population in the Head Start Neighborhood Showcases.  A number of other events were also mentioned as opportunities to invite the family, friend and neighbor child care providers.  A small group of people will be meeting with Barry to explore the idea further and bring it back to the GSC at a future meeting for further discussion.

Outreach Initiatives - Parents, Business, & Faith-Based

            Yvonne shared a written report of the progress in the Faith-Based outreach efforts.  In the next couple of weeks she also will be attending several large events including the Black Child and Family Institute Block Party, Fellowship in the Park. Yvonne will also be presenting with Sharlina at the MSU Family Resource Center, Student Parents on a Mission (SPOM) meeting in the Fall.

            Sharlina shared a contact that she made with the Lansing State Journal “Greater Lansing Parent”  Editor.  Sharlina reported that Stephanie Angel (SAngel@LSJ.com or 377-1017) is open to new articles that would be of interest to parents and families with young children in the community.  Sharlina also shared information about the website www.michiganmoms.com which has on-line discussion groups, parenting articles, resources and more.

                    
Advisory Sub-Groups – Updates

            Stephanie provided information regarding Early On public reporting of our service area's performance on several indicators, which are part of the State Performance Plan for IDEA Part C.  Ingham was found to be in the 'Meets Requirements' category for the first set of public reporting.  Public reporting will take place annually and funding will be tied to performance.

Workgroup Reports and Member Updates     

A written Workgroup Summary Report was distributed and discussed (see below).

Michelle Strasz from the MI Council for Maternal and Child Health described the “Reach Out and Read Program” which focuses on creating literacy building environments in doctor’s offices and clinics.  As part of the program physicians and medical staff distribute books and provide literacy guidance to parents during well-child visits.  She also gave out posters “Prescriptions for Healthy Readers”.

            Bev Phillips announced that this would be her last GSC meeting since her duties will be changing at the Lansing School District.  Tom Mumby and Sergio Keck will be taking her place on the Great Start Collaborative and the Kindergarten Transition Committee.  Bev thanked everyone for the wonderful cooperation and work together, and the group thanked Bev for her years of collaborative efforts.

            Lisa announced that Pat Lamison has retired from Ingham Extension after 31 years of service to the County and families.  A retirement party for Pat will be held on 8/24/07.

The GSC Meeting officially ended at 4pm, although many members remained and continued networking and informal discussions.

Next Ingham GSC Meeting will be September 12, 1:30-3:30 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope in Lansing (1 block East of Cedar).  (PLEASE note change in meeting place).    Child Care will be available by Reservation Only - Call 371-1347.

 Ingham Great Start Collaborative, Birth to Five

Workgroup Summary Report for July 2007