Ingham Great Start Collaborative, Birth to Five Vision Statement:
Every Ingham County child ready to succeed in school and life"

AGENDA - June 11, 2008 1-3:30pm

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope in Lansing

1:00pm - Part I Opening (Chairperson: MC Rothhorn, Timekeeper: Lori Brasic)

- Introductions - All
           - Approval of GSC Previous Meeting Minutes (5/14/08)
          - ECIC updates
          - GSC Coordinator Report (Michelle)
          - Opportunity: Federal Grant Application - Home Visitation (due 7/21/08)
           - Updates on CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal

 
1:15pm - Advisory Groups: Early On - Annual Grant Application (Stephanie), Jump Start (Lisa), Great Parents Great Start (Michelle)

1:35 pm - Part II Action Agenda (10-15 minutes each of six Goal areas)

For each Goal Area:
          - Reports on Progress with Action Agenda Strategies & Objectives
          - Discussion of related workgroup and agency upcoming activities and ideas
          - Discussion on next steps, additional resources needed, etc

1)     Goal I - Physical Health (Infant Mortality, Safe Sleep)

2)     Goal II - Social-Emotional Health (KEEP)

3)     Goal III - Early Care & Ed (QI, Kindergarten Transition) 

4)     Goal IV - Basic Needs (Ad Hoc Transpo, Lead Coalition)

5)     Goal V - Family Support (Parent Education, Parent Coalition, Early Literacy)

6)     Goal VI - Infrastructure (Operations Committee, Public Awareness)

 
3:00pm - Part III – Action Agenda, Building Links – featured Agency/Programs
          PBS series “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?” 
          Video clips and discussion of Part 2 “When the Bough Breaks”

 
3:30pm - Reminder next GSC Meeting July 10, 2008.   Meeting officially ends.

 The next Ingham GSC Meeting will be on 7/10/08 from 1pm-3:30pm at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church,  549 E. Mt. Hope in Lansing (1 block East of Cedar).  Child Care will be available by Reservation Only - Call 371-1347.

Ingham Great Start Collaborative, Birth to Five Vision Statement:
Every Ingham County child ready to succeed in school and life"

GSC Meeting Minutes - June 11, 2008

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope in Lansing

Present:  Claudia Blasen - Peckham CAMW, Lori Brasic - OYC, Carol Buzzitta - EPO, Lisa Chambers - ICHD/Jump Start/MIOP, Jennifer Cousineau - Gateway Community Services, Tiffany Doolittle - ICHD PHN, Angelica Hernandez - Gateway Community Services, Barry Kaufman - CEI CMH, Fran Jozefowicz - CEI CMH, Keri Keck - ICHD Teen Parenting, Jennifer Lamphere - Cristo Rey Community Center, Jan Lusars - MSU, Lucy McClintic - CACS Head Start, Amy Moore - ICHD, Michelle Nicholson - Ingham ISD, Stephanie Peters - Ingham ISD Early On, Peggy Roberts - POWC, Shonna Rosa - parent, MC Rothhorn - Parent Coordinator, Ken Sperber - Ingham GSC, Beany Tomber - WKAR, Nicole Welz - CADL, and Jamie Yeomans - Parent (GPGS)

Opening and Approval of 5/14/08 Minutes

Operations Committee members continue to chair the GSC meetings.  MC Rothhorn chaired the meeting, and Lori Brasic acted as the timekeeper.  Members each introduced themselves to the group, and the new members were welcomed. The Minutes from the previous Ingham GSC meeting were approved without correction.  The meeting Minutes will be posted at the Ingham GSC website www.cacvoices.org/birthtofive .

ECIC updates, GSC Coordinator Report

Ken showed the photos from the ECIC Star Power Rally on May 21, 2008 that are posted on the ECIC website.  Members who attended the event discussed their impressions and follow-up contacts.  Members were encouraged to complete the feedback forms including suggestions on how to improve the event next year. 

Michelle announced that Cherie Barber will no longer be the ECIC Technical Assistance Representative to the Ingham GSC; instead she will be working with the Parent Coalitions statewide.  The designated ECIC person providing TA to the Ingham GSC will be Joan Blough for the interim.

Copies of the monthly Calendar of GSC meetings and events were distributed at the GSC meeting.  There were a few corrections noted, and an updated version of the GSC Calendar of events and meetings is posted at the GSC website. To see and/or print out a calendar of the coming month's GSC workgroup meetings click on this link: http://www.cacvoices.org/birthtofive/GSC_Calendars .  Also, Jennifer noted a correction in the membership list on the website.  The correct number for Cristo Rey is 374-4700, and Ken will make the changes on the website and in the membership database.

Federal RFP - Supporting Evidence-Based Home Visitor Programs

There is an opportunity to apply for a Federal grant to improve Home Visitor programs in our area. The competitive grant: Supporting Evidence-Based Home Visitation Programs to Prevent Child Maltreatment (CFDA Number: 93.670) offers $100,000-500,000/year over the 5 year grant period. The grant funding will support: 1) Collaborative planning efforts to leverage Federal, State, and local investments of existing funding streams into evidence-based home visitation programs and practices; 2) A range of activities needed to build infrastructure systems that can fully adopt, implement, and sustain high quality home visitation programs that have strong fidelity to proven effective models; and 3) rigorous local evaluations which include process/implementation, outcome, and cost analysis components.

The GSC discussed the advantages of obtaining funding to support programs such as Early Head Start/Head Start, Jump Start/PHN, Great Parents Great Start, Early On, CAPS, and CMH home visitors in a coordinated effort. The application is due July 21, 2008 so Michelle asked for volunteers willing to meet and work on the RFP.  Lucy, Lisa, Stephanie, Jennifer, Michelle and Ken agreed to meet to meet to discuss pursuing this funding. {The first planning meeting is scheduled for Monday 6/23/08, GSC members and representatives from DHS, CAPS/Child & Family Services were also invited to attend}.

CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal Updates

In a conference call on 6/4/08 Ken and Michelle spoke with Sharon Granger (Capital Area United Way), and Brad Patterson (Capital Region Community Foundation) about the CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative.  Brad and Sharon reviewed the three documents (Executive Summary, Component Area Charts, and Budget Summary) that they received from the Ingham GSC.  Brad also shared these documents with the CRCF Board at their meeting in late May 2008.

Overall the feedback was very positive.  Brad and Sharon outlined some clarifications they would like to see in the charts and the budget, and described the next steps.  Most of the requested revisions were organizational, including items such as: numbering the component areas in the chart (using a Roman numeral and alphabet outline format); using a corresponding numbering scheme in the budget page; and clearly labeling the budget columns (base funding and expanded funding).  

The funders also requested that additional information be included in the component area charts.  In the “Budget Range “ column we are being asked to include a broad list of the items the funds would cover (such as in the example of the Play & Learn Groups, the $30,000 in expenses includes staff, mileage and supplies).  The funders have also requested that we expand the component area charts to include separate columns for Indicators and Measures.  They requested that the revised charts should include separate and revised columns on the charts showing Outcomes, Indicators, and Measures for each of the project component activities.  The current version has Outcomes and Measures for each of the activities, but lacks “Indicators” for each activity.  Sharon will be forwarding us examples of Program Outcomes, Indicators and Measures that CAUW has used with other community based projects, as a guideline.

The funders have also requested that we write a full narrative for the proposal describing the overarching goals and strategies, and how the different component areas fit together.  They intend to use this “grant product” to forward to other potential funders to gain more financial support for this project.  They have requested that this new narrative section of the proposal address each of these topics:  

§         The target audience for the specific type of service;
§         Details of the service: how it will be delivered, where it will be delivered, how the target audience will be accessed and engaged;
§         Identification of the partners supporting the specific component of the project;
§         Key staff and their qualifications and/or experience to deliver this service;
§         Identification of the outcome(s) and indicators that will characterize success in addressing this specific aspect of school readiness -- what success will look like; and
§         A completed budget page (from the CRCF Common Form) with any discussion of specific line items you feel is appropriate

The next steps are for us to prepare and submit the revised charts and budget pages with all the requested changes, and the new narrative section to the funders by 7/18/08.  Ken and Michelle have set up a meeting on 7/8/08 with the funders to review the rough drafts of these items (to make sure that we are working on the right track).  Brad wants to have the revised materials ready to submit to the Foundation Board for their review and approval at their meeting on 7/22/08.

Ken and Michelle will work with the Operations Committee and Workgroup leaders to ensure the necessary changes are made and the new narrative is developed for the RFP.  With the continued support and assistance from the Ingham GSC these written materials should be ready by the next set of deadlines

Advisory Groups: Early On, Jump Start, Great Parents Great Start

Lisa reported that Jump Start did not receive the Healthy Start grant, and that the Children’s Trust Fund cut the Jump Start secondary prevention grant by $135,000 beginning 10/1/08.  (Jump Start is appealing the CTF decision). No new report from Great Parents, Great Start programs.

Stephanie shared and reviewed three documents prepared for the Early On 2008-2009 Grant Application.  The 2008-2009: Early On Ingham County Annual Report summarizes the accomplishments for the just completed fiscal year, and lists the goals for Fiscal Year 2008-09.  The Early On Projected Budget 2008-2009 summarizes the plan for major expenditures based on the expected grant allocation of $416,473 and $60,000 of carryover funds.  The Ingham County Early On Data for 2007-2008 reviews the numbers of referrals from 2007 and compares the number of staff serving as service coordinators in 2007-08 to proposed staffing in 2008-09.  These three Early On Grant Application Attachments are available on the Ingham GSC website.  Stephanie answered questions and there was some discussion. The Ingham GSC voted to support the Early On 2008-09 Grant Application, and recommend that the Power of We Consortium approve the application at their June 2008 meeting.

Action Agenda Updates

Goal I - Physical Health - Amy reported that the ICHD had received the Legacy Grant, which will fund  smoking cessation efforts.  The next meeting of the Smoking Cessation workgroup is at the ICHD Admin Conference Room on 6/23/08 from 9-10:30am.  Lucy reported that 50% of Head Start children need dental treatment and most of these children have three or more cavities.  The Head Start Family Advocates have been providing transportation for these dental visits, but since these children may each need 3 or 4 visits this is becoming more difficult.  The Safe Sleep workgroup will again begin meeting on the 4^th Monday of the month starting in July. 

Goal II - Social-Emotional Health - Barry shared that the KEEP program is posting a half-time position to replace Kathy Vogel.  KEEP is sponsoring a workshop “Managing Stress and Coping with Conflict for Early Childhood Providers” on 7/17/08 at 6pm.  The workshop will be held in the Ingham Human Services Bldg, 5303 S Cedar Lansing, in Conference Room A - call 887-5251 to register (space is limited).  Barry also reported on the progress the KEEP Task Force is making is shaping efforts to address activities listed in the RFP Component Area Charts for Social Emotional Development.

Goal III - Early Care & Education - The Quality Initiatives workgroup has been focusing on developing a system for coaching and mentoring child care providers. Kindergarten Transition Committee reported that less than half of the Lansing School District incoming kindergartners have registered before the first day of school.  The Haslett School District has been only receiving the basic foundation grant per pupil for teenage moms enrolled in the Meridian High School.  Haslett has been requesting that other districts contribute funding to make up the difference for the higher costs to serve teenage moms and their young children for their out-district residents attending Meridian High School.  Only 2 school districts agreed to contribute additional funding, and the Meridian High School will be forced to close the Teen Parent Program for non-Haslett residents.  The Lansing School District has only 8 slots for on-site child care at Hill to serve teenage moms residing in Lansing.   

Goal IV - Basic Needs - The Ad Hoc Transportation Committee continues to refine the transportation needs agency survey and the client survey.  GSC members expressed their willingness to participate in the survey and also serve as pilot test sites for the survey instruments.  The Ad Hoc Transportation Committee will meet on 6/23/08 to continue working on the survey forms.  The Lead Coalition will make a presentation to the Power of We Consortium at their 6/20/08 meeting.

Goal V - Parent Education and Family Support - The Parent Coalition will be meeting on 6/18/08 and 7/16/08.  The Parent Education workgroup met and discussed ways to initiate parenting activities at three alternate settings (food distribution sites, shelters and near housing used by the refugee community).  Discussions and planning will continue at their next meeting on 7/1/08.  The Early Childhood Literacy Coalition is planning the fall literacy events at the Lansing Mall (10/18/08) and the Meridian Mall (10/19/08), featuring Gordon from Sesame Street.  The ECLC is also organizing two weeks of events featuring costumed characters such as Clifford.  Members were urged to become more knowledgeable about the proposed CADL Library Improvement Plan, which will be on the ballot on 8/5/08.  Information about the Library Improvement Plan and the ballot proposal are available at the Capital Area District Library website: www.cadl.org

Goal VI - Infrastructure - The Operations Committee has been discussing the GSC response to the CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal and preparing the materials for the next meeting with the funders on 7/8/08.  The Public Awareness workgroup has requested additional members to join in helping plan public will-building and outreach activities.  The Public Awareness workgroup meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at the MSU Kellogg Center in Room #6 from 1:30-3:30pm.

Action Agenda, Building Links, Featured Agency/Programs

Lisa showed a power point presentation about infant mortality in Ingham County.  The presentation can be  viewed at the Ingham GSC website at: http://www.cacvoices.org/birthtofive/minutes/imi608

A nine minute video clip from the PBS series “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?” Part 2 “When the Bough Breaks” was shown.  The intro at the PBS website describes this segment in this way:

"Why do infant mortality rates among African Americans remain more than twice as high as among white Americans? Although birth outcomes are generally better for those with higher education and income, Black women with college degrees are still more likely to give birth prematurely than white women who haven’t even finished high school. Researchers are circling in on a provocative explanation: the chronic stress of racism can become embedded in the body, taking a heavy toll on African American families and on children even before they leave the womb.”

The video clip can be viewed on the Internet using this link: http://www.pbs.org/unnaturalcauses/hour_02.htm

Lisa led a discussion after the video, about racism and health disparities.  Members were also encouraged to view the full PBS series Unnatural Causes, and attend the Social Justice Dialogues.  GSC members were invited to attend the Ingham Infant Mortality meeting on 4th Thursday of every month, usually from 1-3pm in the Ingham Human Services Building 5303 S Cedar in Lansing in the ICHD Conference Room C.

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