Workgroup: Operations Committee The Operations Committee of Ingham GSC Birth to Five is composed of volunteers from the Ingham Great Start Collaborative and includes broad representation of different sectors of membership, including parents.  Beginning in November 2008 the committee will regularly meet on the 1st Thursday of each month from 2:30-4:30pm, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church 549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing.   The duties of this committee include, but are not limited to:  - Planning the Agenda for GSC Birth to Five meetings  - Draft the annual Work Plan and Budget and bring to the GSC Birth to Five for approval  - Act as the steering committee for annual assessment process  - Assist in drafting and preparing grant applications in support of the GSC Birth to Five  - Review and provide recommendations on personnel and  contracts  - Assist in building formal system operating procedures and policies  - Act in situations that are urgent and require immediate action, on behalf of the GSC Birth to Five

GSC Website Navigation   GSC, Birth to Five homepage   GSC Agenda and Minutes   GSC Workgroups   GSC Training   GSC Members   GSC Meeting Calendars   Other Resources

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Thursday September 2, 2010, 2:30 - 4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

Proposed Meeting Agenda (9/2/2010)

1)      Approve previous meeting Notes (7/30/10), and Approve 9/2/10 Agenda

2)      Review ECIC Q5 extension, scope of work contract language:

. Recruiting people to attend the Convention on August 26, 2010.

. Completion of Candidate Questionnaires (ECIC will develop and supply the questionnaire) and outreach to candidates after the August primaries
. Bringing a 4 member team to the statewide Business Summit on November 30, 2010 in East Lansing (Save the Date flyer will be sent soon with more info).  UP GSC’s will be able to access the summit via videoconference.

. Hold a post-primary Early Childhood Candidate Forum (using an informal setting –i.e. ice cream social for families in a park) where candidates present their early childhood platforms.

. Complete Get Out The Vote (GOTV) activities during Halloween (pumpkin carving parties and distributing information)

. Written communication sent to elected legislators in follow up to the election

3)      Q4 Progress Report (July, Aug, Sept) due in Oct 2010 with Strategic Planning Process for next year included

4)      Heath Fair Aug 16-20 Feedback

5)      Feedback - Sandbox Party Convention - MSU Breslin Ctr (8/26/10)

6)      ACTS Family Violence Prevention Train-the-Trainers Workshop 8/23 & 8/24

7) Continue discussions on CAUW/CRCF Year 3 Budget process and priorities/criteria
            a) Continue focusing on original grant requirements
(builds interagency collaboration, supporting the Children’s Action Agenda Goals, has measurable outcomes, includes community commitments, is sustainable and scalable, and can serve as a catalyst for system change)

            b) Continue and extend current priority areas
(For Ingham: Home-visits, Play & Learn, PD/Coaching, Scholarships; for Clinton & Eaton - Imagination Library)
                c) Address gaps (existing or newly developed)

8)  Plan GSC meeting 9/8/10
            a) Spotlight on Transportation Committee Recommendations
            b) Review Items: Sandbox Party Convention (8/26/10); ECIC MSU Evaluation; Q5 Plans
            c) Highlights from ACT training?
            d) Share CAUW/CRCF Year 3 budget outline
            e) Chair - Lisa Chambers, Timekeeper -          

9) Review next Operation Committee meeting dates: 10/7 and 11/4 and then adjourn

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting Notes Friday July 30, 2010

CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow, Lansing 48906

Present: Michelle Nicholson, Lucy McClintic, Fran Jozefowicz (on speaker phone), Beany Tomber, and Ken Sperber

Meeting Agenda and Notes
Michelle asked if there were any additions to the proposed Agenda emailed to Operations Committee members.  There were none.  The Operations Committee reviewed and accepted the 6/3/2010 meeting notes as written.

Q3 Progress Report  - due to ECIC by 7/30/10

Michelle and Ken reviewed the Highlight Sheet summarizing some of the 3rd Quarter (April - June 2010) accomplishments listed in the 31-page report being sent to ECIC by today’s deadline.   The Q3 Highlight Sheet as well as the full Q3 Progress Report are available on-line at the GSC website.  The Ingham GSC is exceeding the ECIC minimum requirements in many areas.  ECIC has stated that next year’s funding is performance as measured (in part) on these Quarterly Reports, so robust Quarterly Reports like this one are very important.  Ken walked thru some of the key areas in the Q3 Highlight Sheet.

Members commented, “Wow there is really a lot there, we are really doing a lot of things”.  Other members wondered if writing 31-page Quarterly reports takes away time from doing the work.  Another member commented that this really a lot of reporting and paperwork.  Michelle said we have asked ECIC to consolidate the reporting requirements, making the Strategic Plan, Action Agenda, and Work Plan into one plan.

ECIC extension of current contract into Q5

The ECIC has notified the GSCs that instead of offering a new contract at the end of the 4^th Quarter in September 2010 they will be extending the current year contract into a 5^th Quarter until December 2010.  The new contract for next year will then begin in January 2011 and be for three Quarters ending in Sept 2011.  ECIC has asked that each GSC submit a revised budget due August 13^th to cover expenses in the 5^th Quarter. 

We have also been asked by ECIC to revise the Work Plan to include new requirements in the 5^th Quarter.  As described in the Memo from ECIC, these new Q5 items include an amendment to the Scope of Work, which will be included in a contract amendment with theses items:  

Amendments to the Scope of Work

Due to the extension, the Scope of Work will also be amended to include activities for the fall.

The specific language will be included in the contract amendment, and will include the following activities:

. Recruiting people to attend the Convention on August 26, 2010.

. Completion of Candidate Questionnaires (ECIC will develop and supply the questionnaire) and outreach to candidates after the August primaries

. Bringing a 4 member team to the statewide Business Summit on November 30, 2010 in East Lansing (Save the Date flyer will be sent soon with more information)

. It is expected that UP GSC’s will be able to access the summit via videoconference.

. Hold a post-primary Early Childhood Candidate Forum (using an informal setting –i.e. ice cream social for families in a park) where candidates present their early childhood platforms.

. Complete Get Out The Vote (GOTV) activities during Halloween (pumpkin carving parties and distributing information)

. Written communication sent to elected legislators in follow up to the election.

This information brought on some discussion by members about whether ECIC is trying to organize too many things, like the Community Forum, Star Power, Sandbox Convention and not giving enough time for local GSC to pursue our local Action Agenda items.

Members talked about working with the League of Women Voters and joining with them for Candidate Forums in the Fall and voter registration events.  

Personnel and Performance Contracts Changes

At Ingham ISD Nora Thompson’s Early Childhood Coordinator position has been eliminated, and Stephanie Peters is retiring from her position as Early On Supervisor.  The Ingham ISD has asked Michelle Nicholson to assume Stephanie’s job duties as Early On Supervisor as well as some of those from Nora’s position.  The only way that Michelle can manage to accept these added responsibilities is to give up some of the GSC workload.  Currently in the ECIC budget documents Michelle is listed as .75fte Coordinator for the GSC and Ken is listed as .25 fte.  In order to make the smoothest transition into her new duties and not disrupt the GSC workflow Michelle is recommending that Ken become the .75 fte Coordinator and Michelle be listed as the .25fte position.  The main responsibility that will change is the interface with ECIC, the behind the scenes communication and paperwork requirements, Michelle will still be responsible for the budget, and continue to be the public face for the GSC, but not have to be responsible for all the other paperwork (like the Quarterly Reports).  Michelle and Ken have worked well together as co-coordinators and this arrangement will allow this to continue with some switching of duties. Since Michelle has already begun to take on additional duties at the IISD she requested that we change Ken’s Performance Contract beginning August 1^st to reflect the additional responsibilities and with that would go commensurate compensation.  Since the ECIC requires us to submit budget revisions for a 5^th Quarter by 8/13, these changes (decreasing Michelle’s time and increasing Ken’s) can be amended and extended to 12/31/10, and submitted with the Q5 budget revisions.

Keri Keck has let us know that she prefers to continue in her Parent Liaison position with MC through September, but probably will not be able to continue as a co-Parent Liaison after that point.  Keri has said that she would be willing to stay involved with Ingham Great Start as an active parent in the Parent Coalition.  After some discussion, MC stated that he wants to increase his hours and is ready assume the full responsibilities for the Parent Liaison position. Michelle is recommending that the Performance Contract for MC be amended and extended to continue into the 5^th Quarter.  The Operations Committee agreed with Michelle’s recommendations to amend and extend the Performance Contracts for Ken Sperber and MC Rothhorn with the revised budget being submitted to ECIC by 8/13/10.

Q4 Progress Report, amended Work Plan, Strategic Planning for next year

One item that still remains in our Work Plan for this year is developing a plan for a new three year strategic plan or Action Agenda.  When we turn in our Q4 Report in October 2010 we must include the outline for this process.  ECIC has clarified that we do not have to start all over, but that we can choose to modify the existing plans by adding or deleting items.  The plan no doubt will include looking at current updated data, perhaps having a GSC retreat, and involving community input.  For example, Randy Bell from MSU Extension has asked us to look at some new food and nutrition goals and ways we can work together to address issues around childhood obesity.

Early Childhood Tours 8/16/10

In order to build greater awareness among our elected officials, the Ingham GSC has been organizing an event called Early Childhood Tours for 8/16/10.  We have invited local State legislators (Reps. Meadows, Bauer and Byrum and Sen. Whitmer), Lansing Council leadership (Pres. Robinson, VP Dunbar), Lansing Mayor Bernero, and the Ingham Board of Commissioners leadership (Chair DeLeon, Vice Chairs Celentino, and Dougan).  At the event the officials will be given guided tours through different early childhood programs and then have lunch with preschoolers.  Plans are set to have the elected officials visit the Health Department Back to School Health Fair at 10:30am (and visit one of the clinics either WIC or Child Health), and then begin to tour Maplehill Head Start Center at 11:30am and have lunch with the children.  We will transport the elected officials back to the ICHD parking lot at around 12:30pm.  We are waiting to hear back RSVPs and will follow-up with additional phone reminders.  Fran offered a CCEP parent that might be interested in talking with the officials while we are transporting them.  {The week after the Operations Committee meeting, we found out none of the elected officials would be available to attend the Tours, so the planned event was cancelled.} 

Sandbox Party Convention - MSU Breslin Ctr (8/26/10)

Each of the Operations Committee members present have already registered for the Sandbox Party Convention.  Ken explained about the delegates and super delegates at the Convention.  Some members felt this was over the top, and complicated an already confusing event.  Members commented that the requirements for super delegates, the calendar of what they should be doing each day, sounded like a lot, and way too much.  Some members commented that the event was confusing because it sent a mixed message - is it political for adults and register to vote, or is it entertainment for kids and families?  Members commented that young children will not be entertained by political speeches no matter how brief.  Members thought we should be working locally on voter registration with Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope and the League of Women Voters on other events.

Members quickly changed subject to the ECIC survey – and offered their feedback that it was way too long.  Beany commented that many of the questions really don’t apply to us – and Beany said she sent a note to the researchers saying that she wasn’t going to complete the survey in its current form. Several members commented that a rule of survey research is that you don’t ask things you don’t know how you are going to use.  Also members commented that they were frustrated trying to complete the survey, and were thinking, “I already told you that answer once before”.  Michelle shared that ECIC expected us to have a 80% return rate, and that the MSU researchers will keep contacting potential respondents until they complete the survey.  ECIC will summarize and give us data as a result of the survey.  Fran said she completed the survey, but gave them comments on their questions, and the way they were worded (The forced choice responses never included an N/A, or “we were already doing this”).

Review CAUW/CRCF Year 3 Budget process, outline priorities/criteria

Ken and Michelle outlined the proposed criteria for Year 3 funding priorities in the CAUW/CRCF Year 3 Budget process, including:
            a) Continue focusing on original grant requirements
(builds interagency collaboration, supporting the Children’s Action Agenda Goals, has measurable outcomes, includes community commitments, is sustainable and scalable, and can serve as a catalyst for system change)

            b) Continue and extend current priority areas
(For Ingham: Home-visits, Play & Learn, PD/Coaching, Scholarships; for Clinton & Eaton - Imagination Library)
                c) Address gaps (existing or newly developed)
Operations Committee members were in general agreement with these priorities and began discussing how they might apply in the current State budget process.  Fran talked about likely cuts or elimination of the CCEP (KEEP) program. Lisa said ICHD has asked managers to prepare 5, 10, 15, and now 30% cut scenarios (effecting units like TPN, OYC, FOS).  Michelle asked that between now and the next Operations Committee workgroups discuss these cuts and possible responses for us to consider at next Operations Committee meeting on 9/2/10.

Michelle mentioned that ECIC wrote an application for competitive funding for Home Visitors, and Michigan received a $2 million grant.  The first phase is to do planning required in order to do a needs assessment for the communities.  The funding will be for implementing evidence- based programs – targeted funding for a few needy communities.  Lucy said Child Trends just published article on high quality Home Visit programs (and they concluded no one thing works in all communities).  It appears that ECIC is focusing on two programs Nurse Families Partnerships, and Healthy Families America (but not on Parents as Teachers used in our area).

Plan GSC meeting 8/11/10
            a) Spotlight on Transportation Committee Recommendations, presented at PWC for coalitions
            b) Suggested Items: Sandbox Party Convention - MSU Breslin Ctr (8/26/10); ECIC MSU Evaluation; Early Childhood Tours 8/16/10, Back to School Fair Health Fair, PNC update, Historical Museum preschool initiative update
            c) Recap personnel and performance contract changes
            d) Share CAUW/CRCF Year 3 process
            e) Chair - Lucy McClintic, Timekeeper - Lisa Chambers

Ken will prepare the agenda and send it to the membership by August 4^th for the 8/11/10 meeting.

ACTS Family Violence Prevention Train-the-Trainers Workshop 8/23 & 8/24 
Ken summarized the program and said so far 9 participants had registered from the first wave publicity.  Barry, Ken and Lori Strom will be doing some follow-up calls to parent trainers and other interested people.  In the discussion it was mentioned that there is also a Spanish language version of all the materials, Lisa and Lucy each said that they had a Spanish-speaking staff person that may also be interested in the training and will invite them to register.

Other Announcements

Lisa shared that the Health Department is writing a HRSA grant application for girls and women’s health.  They are writing for a multi-year grant working with coalitions perhaps focusing on working with the health of pregnant women and the Infant Mortality Initiative.  In the first round 16 programs will be funded to share $100,000 in an initial planning grant.  From there 10 will be chosen for multi-year more substantial funding.

Lucy reported the PNC grant is coming along very well. They are planning teacher training on 8/31/10 on the broader concepts of discovery and prediction, and theme development with families.  Lucy commented that the connection to I5 is going to be great, but the logistics are complicated, and have not been worked out yet.  Beany talked about the clip reel they are developing, and she offered to invite others to use the materials they are developing as part of the PNC grant when they are done.  Lucy has already purchased a science book for each classroom from First Books at a big (almost 90%) discounted rate.

Michelle reviewed the next Operation Committee meeting dates: 9/2 and 10/7 and then the meeting adjourned.

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Friday July 30, 2010, 11:30am - 1pm

CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow, Lansing 48906 (map)

1)      Review Proposed Meeting Agenda (7/30/2010)

2)      Approve previous meeting Notes (6/3/2010)

3)      Q3 Progress Report  - due to ECIC by 7/30/10 (Highlight Sheet)

4)      ECIC extension of current contract into Q5 (revised budget due August 13^th)

5)      Personnel changes and proposed Performance Contracts (extension and amendments)

6)      Q4 Progress Report, amended Work Plan, Strategic Planning for next year

7)      Early Childhood Tours 8/16/10

8)      Sandbox Party Convention - MSU Breslin Ctr (8/26/10)

9)   Review CAUW/CRCF Year 3 Budget process, outline priorities/criteria
            a) Continue focusing on original grant requirements
(builds interagency collaboration, supporting the Children’s Action Agenda Goals, has measurable outcomes, includes community commitments, is sustainable and scalable, and can serve as a catalyst for system change)

            b) Continue and extend current priority areas
(For Ingham: Home-visits, Play & Learn, PD/Coaching, Scholarships; for Clinton & Eaton - Imagination Library)
            c) Address gaps (existing or newly developed)

10)   Plan GSC meeting 8/11/10
            a) Spotlight on Transportation Committee Recommendations
            b) Items: Sandbox Party Convention - MSU Breslin Ctr (8/26/10); ECIC MSU Evaluation; Early Childhood Tours 8/16/10
            c) Recap personnel and performance contract changes
            d) Share CAUW/CRCF Year 3 process
            e) Chair -              , Timekeeper -          

11) ACTS Family Violence Prevention Train-the-Trainers Workshop 8/23 & 8/24 

12) Review next Operation Committee meeting dates: 9/2 and 10/7 and then adjourn 

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

NOTES Thursday June 3, 2010, 2:30 - 4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)

Present: Michelle Nicholson, Lucy McClintic, MC Rothhorn, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber

Meeting Agenda and Notes
Michelle asked if there were any additions to the proposed Agenda emailed to Operations Committee members.  There were a few including: Early On grant application and MSU evaluation.  The Operations Committee accepted the 5/6/2010 meeting notes as written, with Lucy noting that she is working on billing for Brenda’s time. 

ECIC Updates

Implementation Grant Updates

Project ImPACT Training - Workshop trainings were held on 4/22 & 4/27 and the evaluations show that they were very successful.  The S-E workgroup is now trying to plan some follow-up workshops with the 10 or so people who stated on their interest sheets that they wanted to participate in follow-up sessions.  Ken is working with Marta at Head Start to set up a re-fresher type seminar for Head Start workshop participants in September (since the staff are laid off for the summer); and he is working with Kathy Vogel to get a July and an August date for CMH and CDD staff to have follow-up seminars with MSU Autism Clinic staff.  In addition, all 30 participants will be invited to a Fall Re-Union session (the week of September 27^th) to report back on their progress and how else we can work together to implement the Project ImPACT training.

Oral Dental Health Workshops - Three workshops were to be held.  The first was on 3/25/10 and 17 child care center staff attended, the second for Relative and Day Care Aides 27 signed up, and the third will be on June 10 for Home Visitors (limited to 30 staff from GPGS, EHS, CMH, FOS, PHN).  Stephanie thought one for Early On in late August or September 2010 might work for her staff.  Brenda Martinez, from CACS Head Start, is leading the workshops and distributing the dental wheels.  Head Start has not billed for Brenda’s time.  Michelle has heard from Delta Dental Foundation that they will commit $1,000 to reprinting the dental wheels.  Michelle is also talking with the MI Dental Health Association about sponsorship for additional printing of the dental wheels.

Advanced Coaching – A contract is in place with Pat Wesley at the Frank Porter Graham Institute for training on June 15 & 16.  The Quality Initiatives workgroup has been discussing how to best reach the target audience for the workshop.  The current plan is to invite 12 education supervisors from Head Start, 2 CMH consultants, 6 field instructors from LCC and the 4 current coaches, MSU Lab Director, and Stephanie. The format of the training will be divided into different parts over a 2-day period, since there are different issues for coaches who are in a supervisory role, with inherent power, and coaches in a consultative role.  The morning of the first day will be for supervisors & field instructors; other participants will join in for lunch and the remainder of the first day.  On the second day (June 16^th) only coaches and consultants will return for a half-day on the coaching process.  There would be some content that would apply to both groups, but some that may need to be different.  The training will be at LCC downtown in Health and Human Services Building (potential to video tape sessions).

Parenting Resources – Chris Singer worked with Ken and Michelle on updating the parenting listings on the www.MIGreatParents.org website, as well as developing a print version of a Parent Resource Guide in time for the 5/21 GSC Special Meeting.  Ken and Chris met with Suzanne Eman-Jaehnig at CAUW to ensure that the information listings are included in the 2-1-1 local call center database. The new Parent Resource Guide is now posted on the Ingham GSC website (CACVoices.org/BirthtoFive) as a PDF that can be downloaded and printed.  The Parent Resource Guide was distributed at the Birth2Baby Fair on 5/16, GSC Special Meeting with Executive Directors on 5/21, and at the Lunch and Learn with ER and Urgent Care staff on 5/24.

Michelle and Lucy reviewed the new version of the joint recruitment brochure for Free Preschools and the Great Start Connect website (OYC and Lansing School District have already reviewed it).  Lucy suggested some changes to the Head Start section.  Michelle will ask Tom Mumby to make the changes and then arrange to have copies printed as part of the Implementation Grant outreach and coordination of services section.

Although we budgeted to spend all the Implementation Grant funds, we have been unexpectedly successful in leveraging additional funds for these projects.  Previously the Operations Committee discussed ideas to re-program any unspent funds in the Implementation Grant.  The consensus was to try and pursue the Family Violence Prevention training from Toledo, if funding becomes available.  Ken has been trying to get approval from ECIC to use unspent Implementation Grant funds for this ACT Against Violence program.  More information is available at the ACTS website: actagainstviolence.apa.org.

Advocacy

Star Power 5/19

Members talked about their experiences at Star Power May 2010.  Michelle commented that there were many more child appropriate and family activities.  MC expressed the disappointment that he heard from parents about the event.  There was a lot of waiting and the legislators did not show up (many ended up meeting only with legislative aides).  MC said that when they did meet it was very noisy in the Legislative Tent, and was not really conducive to meetings. Lucy felt that the smaller Community Forum we sponsored in April 2010 was much more effective in reaching officials and having parents’ voices really heard.  Lucy shared that the Star Power is much more about lobbying compared to Head Start Day at the Capitol on the very next day.  The Head Start event is more about tours at the Capitol and smaller group visits to elected officials.  Also, families eat at downtown businesses helping increase public awareness of Head Start.  Since Head Start is not really State funded the thrust of the day is not the same.  Head Start Day has several civic engagement card writing activities (like at the first Star Power Rally). 

Michelle said maybe because Lansing families have been to the Capitol, it is nothing new to parents (compared to UP parents).  Michelle said that maybe we should have gotten the Parent Coalition to go into the chamber gallery while the Senate or House was in session to get recognized by legislators.  Members said they hope next year’s event is really different – and that we find ways to combine the two events. 

Juice Box Convention 7/14, 5-8pm

Just before the Operations Committee meeting Michelle and Ken spoke on the phone with Sarah Triplett about some of their concerns about the event, the timing, and the venue.  They expressed concerns that the event focus keeps changing from whether it’s primarily for adults or kids & families.  Venue concerns expressed were about stroller accessibility, distance to bathrooms, lack of freedom to come and go in long rows of fixed seating, and the limited but expensive food menu at Breslin (ironically the Juice Box Party would be launched in a venue that does not allow juice boxes to be brought in).  They said to Sarah that the timing was difficult, and it would be very hard to get participants so soon after Star Power at the Capitol.  Sarah talked about how it was too late to change the site since a big deposit was already paid out.  Operations Committee members said that they wished the ECIC asked for our input earlier on and that they would plan these events collaboratively, and not ask us after the important decisions were already made.  {After the Operations Committee meeting Ken & Michelle received an email from Sarah Triplett stating that due to feedback from local GSCs the ECIC has decided that the Juice Box Convention will be pushed back to August or September.}  

Early Childhood Bus Tour

In order to build greater awareness among our elected officials, the Ingham GSC will be organizing an Early Childhood Bus Tour.  The officials will be given guided tours to three different early childhood programs and then have lunch with preschoolers.  Plans have begun that would enable the elected officials to visit a Harley Franks Play & Learn Group, the Health Department (WIC or Child Health), and then Maplehill Head Start Center for a tour and lunch with the children.  We are looking to try and plan this for the week of August 16^th.  We will be inviting local State legislators (Reps. Meadows, Bauer and Byrum and Sen. Whitmer), Lansing Council leadership (Pres. Robinson, VP Dunbar), Lansing Mayor Bernero, and the Ingham Board of Commissioners leadership (Chair DeLeon, Vice Chairs Celentino, and Dougan).

GSC Business

Feedback on 5/21 Special GSC Meeting

MC said it was great, the point was to honor the funders, and thank the partners and we did both.  Lucy suggested that a more formal visual presentation about the Great Start Collaborative including photos from the year would have been helpful.  Some members attended two of these GSC year-end events (Shiawassee GSC held theirs the next day) and agreed the Shiawassee presentations were helpful.  Lucy liked the framed photos and thought the funders were truly touched.  Ken said that Olga Hernandez-Patino said after the meeting that she really liked the new Parent Resource Guide and said that it would be really helpful to have it available in Spanish as well.  Ken is following up with this to see if we can work with her to help this happen.  Lucy also talked about that Shiawassee had more involvement of the local Superintendents in the local GSC.  Members agree that although we don’t want it to be too education heavy, we certainly have more room for local schools in addition to the Ingham ISD to participate.  

ICHD Health Fair

The week of August 16^th ICHD is trying to organize resource tables during the big back to school health fair.  Many other health services will also be available including hearing and vision screening, and blood lead testing.  Michelle suggested that we try and share staffing at a GSC table with all the materials from GSC partner agencies.   

Ingham Early On Grant Application
Stephanie asked for time on the next GSC meeting Agenda to get approval of the Early On grant application.  Stephanie will email Ken the materials to be forwarded to the GSC membership for approval.  Ken agreed to forward the materials to the GSC email list as soon as he receives them.

Re-Imagine Early Years

Ingham ISD was chosen as one of the 14 districts funded for the Re-Imagine Early Years grant.  The Ingham ISD Re-Imagine Early Years grant includes work around the RtI (Response to Intervention).  The thrust of the project will be to increase professional development on screening of children; improving classroom setup; implementing appropriate tiers of intervention; and providing coaches for preschool classrooms starting at sites in Lansing (Gier Park and Lyons School), Okemos, and Webberville. The project will try and build on tools already in use (ASQ, Devereux) in pilot sites first where RtI is being implemented in k-2, and then trying and reach out to others.  Lucy was interested in trying to figure out ways to partner on the PD training in the grant and other areas.  There was discussion about RTI and how it fits with qualifying for Spec Ed particularly in the area of social emotional needs. 

Plan next GSC meeting (6/9/10)

It was confirmed that MC will Chair the meeting and Lucy agreed to serve as timekeeper.  We will be featuring Dr. Dan Greenberg from the MSU Psych Clinic talking about the new clinic at the Grand River Head Start Center.  Ken and Michelle offered a proposed Agenda.  Lucy said she would be bringing the flyer announcing the PNC “Grow Up Great” kickoff at I-5 on 6/22/10.

MSU Evaluation
The very long delayed MSU evaluation of the CAUW/CRCF grant activities is in motion again.  In May and June they have been conducting a series of interviews, surveys and focus groups in order to complete the evaluation report by the end of June 2010.  All members of the Op Committee and Workgroup leaders have been invited to a Focus Group on 6/9 immediately following the GSC meeting.

The next GSC meeting dates are:

-         Regular GSC meeting on 6/9/2010

-         No GSC Meeting in July

-         Regular GSC meeting on 8/11/2010

The next Operation Committee meeting date: August 5 at 2:30pm at BLC

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Thursday June 3, 2010, 2:30 - 4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

1)      Review Proposed Meeting Agenda (6/3/2010)

2)      Review previous meeting Notes (5/6/2010)

3)      ECIC Updates
  a)      Implementation Grant Updates
     i)        ASD Project Impact Training - follow-up
    ii)       Oral Dental Health Workshop (6/10 for HV)
    iii)     Advanced Coaching Seminar (6/15,6/16)
    iv)     Parenting Resources listings
b)      Advocacy
     i)        Star Power 5/19
    ii)       Juice Box Convention 7/14, 5-8pm
    iii)     Early Childhood Bus Tour

4)       GSC Business
  a)      Feedback on 5/21 Special GSC Meeting
  b)      Re-Imagine Early Years
  c)      Plan next GSC meeting (6/9/10)
     i)        Suggested Agenda items
    ii)       Confirm Chair (MC) and Timekeeper (?)
  d)      Updates: MSU Psych Clinic, Action Agenda and CAUW/CRCF, MSU Evaluation 
  e)      Future GSC meetings Agency Spotlights (re-schedule MSU Psych Clinic, Advocacy, Mother-Baby Program, Great Start Connect website, other ideas?)   

5)      Next GSC meeting dates
  a)      Regular GSC meeting on 6/9/2010
  b)      No GSC Meeting in July
  c)      Regular GSC meeting on 8/11/2010

6)      Next Operation Committee meeting dates: July 8 and August 5

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

NOTES Thursday May 6, 2010, 2:30-4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, MC Rothhorn, Ken Sperber

Meeting Agenda and Notes
Michelle asked if there were any additions to the proposed Agenda emailed to Operations Committee members.  There were a few including: an endorsement letter to MDE, several grant proposal updates, PWC Ad Hoc Revenue Committee, and the latest on the Early Childhood Endowment Fund.  The Operations Committee accepted the 4/1/2010 meeting notes as written.

ECIC Updates

Implementation Grant Updates 

Project ImPACT Training - Ken reported that by using Implementation Grant Funds from the ECIC, the Social- Emotional workgroup was able to arrange for Dr. Brooke Ingersoll from the MSU Autism Clinic to provide 12 hours of training for up to 30 participants for the Ingham GSC.  Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) trains early intervention and early childhood staff to teach parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) evidence-based strategies for improving their child’s social-communication skills during on-going family routines.  The Project ImPACT Training was held on April 22 & April 27 at the ISD in Mason.  As planned there were participants from a variety of agencies (including CEI CMH, Head Start, Early Head Start, ICHD, GPGS, GSRP, ECSE, Early On and parents).  Ken reported that there were very positive comments made by the participants about the training informally.  The written evaluations are being tabulated, and will be shared at the next meeting.  Brooke Ingersoll delivered her baby two days before the training workshop, but her graduate student assistant Allison Wainer and the MSU Autism Lab Coordinator Nikki Bonter did a great job stepping-in and conducting a very informative training.  For the last part of the training staff met by agency and shared how they were going to take the training ideas back to their worksites and implement them with families and across systems. 

Oral Dental Health Workshops - Three workshops are to be held.  The first was on 3/25/10 and 17 child care center staff attended, the second for Relative and Day Care Aides 27 signed up, and the third will be on June 10 for Home Visitors (limited to 30 staff from GPGS, EHS, CMH, FOS, PHN).  Stephanie thought one for Early On in late August or September 2010 might work for her staff.  Brenda Martinez, from CACS Head Start, is leading the workshops and distributing the dental wheels.  Head Start has not billed for Brenda’s time.  Michelle has heard from Delta Dental Foundation that they will commit $1,000 to reprinting the dental wheels.  Michelle is also talking with the MI Dental Health Association about sponsorship for additional printing of the dental wheels. 

Advanced Coaching – A contract is in place with Pat Wesley at the Frank Porter Graham Institute for training on June 15 & 16.  The Quality Initiatives workgroup has been discussing how to best reach the target audience for the workshop.  The current plan under discussion at QI is to invite 12 education supervisors from Head Start, 2 CMH consultants, 6 field instructors from LCC and the 4 current coaches, MSU Lab Director, and Stephanie. The format of the training will be divided into different parts over a 2-day period, since there are different issues for coaches who are in a supervisory role, with inherent power, and coaches in a consultative role.  The morning of the first day will be for supervisors & field instructors; other participants will join in for lunch and the remainder of the first day.  On the second day (June 16^th) only coaches and consultants will return for a half-day on the coaching process.  There would be some content that would apply to both groups, but some that may need to be different.  Potential sites being considered for the workshops are LCC, Clark Conference Center (St. Lawrence), Peckham and Grand River Head Start Center.  

Parenting Resources – Chris Singer is working with Ken and Michelle on updating the parenting listings on the www.MIGreatParents.org website, as well as developing a print version of a Parent Resource Guide.  Parent Ed workgroup reviewed the latest draft and offered additional suggestions.  Stephanie offered some corrections to the Early On section, and FGC staff dropped in to give some additional feedback on their entries.  Chris plans on having the updates done by May 14th.  The info will be incorporated into the MIGreatParents.org and 2-1-1 websites and posted on the Ingham GSC website (CACVoices.org/BirthtoFive) as a PDF that can be downloaded and printed.  The Parent Resource Guide will be distributed at the Birth 2 Baby Fair on 5/16, GSC Special Meeting with Executive Directors on 5/21, and at the Lunch and Learn with ER and Urgent Care staff on 5/24. 

Although we budgeted to spend all the Implementation Grant funds, we have been unexpectedly successful in leveraging additional funds for these projects.  Ideas were discussed to in case the need arises to re-program any unspent funds in the Implementation Grant.  Several ideas were discussed around Professional Development including Family Violence Prevention, and Behavioral Management & Guidance.  Faith Liaison and additional Outreach efforts connecting with family day care providers was also discussed.  The consensus was to try and pursue the Family Violence Prevention training from Toledo, if funding becomes available. 

Budget Updates and Advocacy Issues

ECIC has changed the scheduled time for the July 14th Convention at MSU Breslin Center to be at 5-8pm.  Michelle printed up several info pieces and put them into Election 2010 folders and gave one folder to each Operations Committee member.  The folders Michelle prepared included the Ingham GSC Accomplishments, Status of Young Children in Ingham County, ECIC White Paper, Wilder Research Summary, Kindergarten Teacher Survey Findings, Responding to Skeptics, and several more articles on return on investment in early childhood.  It was decided to postpone the Bus Tour for policy makers to early childhood programs from April until the late summer or early fall.

Ken summarized the two meetings of the Power of We Consortium (PWC) Ad Hoc Committee on Revenue.  At the latest meeting Lynn Jondahl, and Sharon Parks talked about the Michigan structural deficit and the toll of years of cutting human services agencies.  They presented materials from A Better MI Future .Org which included a balanced four point approach including: Auditing Government Contracts, Closing Tax Loopholes, Modernizing State Sales Tax, and replacing the State’s flat income tax with a Graduated Income Tax.  The Ad Hoc Committee will be reporting back to the PWC and asking for their endorsement.  Following that the Ingham GSC and all member agencies of the PWC should also be considering joining the “A Better MI Future” movement.

Review ECIC TA Conference April 2010
Several members of the Operations Committee attended the ECIC Technical Assistance Conference held at Shanty Creek April 14-16, 2010.  At the Operations Committee meeting members each shared their views on the Conference.  Fran liked the keynote speakers and the breakout sessions, but found it difficult to hear so many praises from ECIC about the Great Start Connect and Regional Resource Center system, when we are hearing so clearly from parents about the difficulties families are having in finding childcare using the computer system. 

MC said he particularly liked the Harwood Institute information that was presented. The Harwood theme is imagine and act for the public good (see more at http://www.theharwoodinstitute.org).  MC talked about their idea of using these 4 questions to get a sense of people’s aspirations for their community:
1. What kind of community do you want to live in?
2. Why is that important to you?
3. How is that different from how you see things now? 
4. What are some of the things that need to happen to create the kind of community you want?

MC also talked about the difficulties that we are experiencing with the different regional maps and areas for the GSC TA consultants, PC TA Consultants, and Regional Resource centers.  This mis-alignment of the three ECIC drawn maps creates problems with coordination, collaboration and regional cooperation for local GSCs and Parent Coalitions.

Michelle liked the Harwood Institutes ideas about authentic community aspirations rather than stating goals and objectives.  Michelle and Ken have started thinking ahead about how we can use these ideas in our next round of strategic planning.  Michelle said she also liked the workshops that she attended on the Quality Rating Systems.  Ken and Michelle both went to the EDI (Early Development Inventory) session and found out how some communities have administered performance measures mid-year in Kindergartens district-wide to help measure school readiness.  Ken talked about how he too, really liked the Harwood Institute ideas, and the Lakewood Alliance ideas for being more inclusive and reaching out to minority communities.

GSC Business

Review Community Forum 4/21/2010, LSJ

The press coverage for the community forum was very positive getting both print (LSJ) and TV (WLNS-6) coverage.  Operations Committee members agreed that although it took a lot of work, it all went smoothly.

Star Power 2010

Ken sent out a reminder to everyone on the GSC email list (193) to make sure to pre-register for 5/19 Star Power, before this Friday 5/7.  So far Ingham GSC has 39 adults and 27 children registered for Star Power.

Plan Special GSC meeting with Exec Directors (5/21/10)

The Operations Committee members reviewed the invited guest list and divided up the names to re-contact, if we have not heard back.  Each member took 4 or 5 names to follow up with.  We reviewed some of the items to be shared at the meeting and members divided the responsibilities for presenting the following items: Accomplishment Sheet (Michelle), Status Sheet (MC), Wilder Report Summary (Stephanie), and PEW summary (Fran).  Ken suggested Operations Committee members rotate reading out loud accomplishments for each agency rather than presenting certificates and waiting for audience members to come forward.  Fran confirmed that she would serve as Chair, and MC offered to be Timekeeper (and the Chair for the June 9^th GSC meeting).  MC and maybe Jamie (or another parent) with Michelle will do presentations to the funders. 

Grant Opportunities

Ken updated the Committee on several grant applications that Ingham GSC has been asked to be involved in.  The next round of Project Launch grant applications have been circulated, but after consultations between Ken, Michelle, Lisa, and Fran, the Ingham GSC has declined to prepare an application to apply for this funding (the timeline was too short, and the odds too long (national competition for 5 awards with one already awarded to Michigan).  Ken and Michelle continue to participate in meeting with MSU to develop a proposal to submit to Kellogg Foundation to support the Birth to Work efforts in our community (including the efforts of the Birth to Five Great Start Collaborative).  Randy Bell (MSU Extension) convened a group to consider a proposal to the RWJF for Local Funding Partnerships that would primarily support the Birth to Work efforts around at-risk youth.   The US Department of Ed is accepting grant applications for Promise Neighborhoods grants to support cradle to career community projects.  Contacts are being made to see if the Lansing School District is willing to partner with the Birth to Work coalitions (including our GSC) to apply for this grant funding. 

MSU Psych Clinic

Ken reported that the Social-Emotional Workgroup has worked out an arrangement with Dr. Daniel Greenberg from the MSU Psych Clinic to set up a satellite clinic for families with young children. This clinic would be located at the Grand River Head Start Center and serve Head Start families, recent graduates of the Early On program who have social-emotional needs, and other GSC partner agency referrals who would benefit from individual or group counseling. The therapeutic services would be offered by MSU doctoral level students or post-doctoral staff under the supervision of Dr. Greenberg and MSU faculty.  An agreement has been worked out to provide start-up funding for the Clinic through a combination of GSC partner and MSU in-kind donations, and some funding from Head Start and the Ingham GSC (using the CAUW/CRCF funding we reserved for mental health therapeutic services).  The Operations Committee strongly supported this partnership with the MSU Psych Clinic to provide needed mental health services for families of young children that are not now available in our community.  It was suggested that we re-invite Dr. Greenberg back to the June GSC meeting. (He was scheduled for the February 2010 meeting as the Agency Spotlight - but that meeting was canceled as a snow day). 

Early Childhood Endowment Fund

The Capital Region Community Foundation (CRCF) has drawn up the papers to establish the Early Childhood Endowment Fund.  The initial contribution of $10,000 will be from the unspent balance of Foundation funds carried over from the 2009 CRCF Youth Initiative Funds awarded to the GSC.  In establishing the Fund the GSC agreed to develop plans to grow the Fund.  Ken and Michelle met with Brad Patterson and Robin Miner-Swartz from CRCF and agreed to four development strategies including: develop a brochure; send out an annual year-end targeted appeal letter; email the information to the GSC membership; and create links at the GSC website to the CRCF donation page.  Ken and Michelle will bring back a first draft of the Endowment Fund brochure to next month’s Operations Committee meeting.  

Sign On Letter to State Board of Education

The Michigan League for Human Services (MLHS) is circulating a petition to support the inclusion of early education in the State Board of Education’s Principles to Guide Michigan’s Education System Restructuring. The Letter urges the State Board of Education to include in its reform and restructuring principles language addressing the importance of early childhood investments beginning at birth in four critical areas:
·  Public health services that result in healthy mothers and babies, including access to preventive and other health and mental health services for young children.
·  Home visiting and family support programs that strengthen families and help parents and other caregivers be their children’s first and best teachers.
·  High quality child care that can help parents support their children, and provide children with the social and cognitive skills needed to make the transition to school.
·  High quality preschool programs that will result in more children who are prepared and ready to learn for a lifetime. 
After discussion the Operations Committee voted to endorse the Letter on behalf of the Ingham GSC.  Ken sent an email, just before the 5pm deadline, to MLHS to have Ingham GSC be listed on the Letter as a signing agency.  

Future Meetings

Stephanie asked for time to consider and approve the Early On Annual Report and Budget at the next GSC meeting.  Stephanie explained that it is important to get the GSC approval before taking it to the Power of We Consortium meeting in June, and submit it to MDE in a timely manner.  After some discussion Stephanie agreed to write-up a one-page report to share with members and ask for an email vote.

The next GSC meeting will be a Special Meeting with the Executive Directors on 5/21/10 at 11:30am in the Ingham Human Services Bldg Conference Room A.  There will be a regular GSC meeting on 6/9/2010, but no GSC meeting in July 2010.  There will be a GSC meeting in August on 8/11/10.

The next Operations Committee meeting will be on June 3, 2010.  This will be followed by Operations Committee meetings on July 8^th  (not July 1^st) and then on August 5^th .

The Operations Committee meeting adjourned at around 4:45pm.

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE    

AGENDA Thursday May 6, 2010, 2:30 - 4pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

1) Review Proposed Meeting Agenda (5/6/2010)

2) Review previous meeting Notes (4/1/2010)

3) ECIC Updates
   a) Implementation Grant Updates
       i)        ASD Project Impact Training (4/22 & 4/27)
       ii)       Oral Dental Health Workshops
       iii)       Advanced Coaching Seminar
      iv)       Parenting Resources listings
   b) Budget Updates and Advocacy Issues
   c)  Review ECIC Shanty Creek Conference 4/14/2010

4) GSC Business
   a) Review Community Forum 4/21/2010, LSJ
   b) Star Power Rally 5/19/2010
   c) Plan Special GSC meeting with Exec Directors (5/21/10) and presentations
      i)      Review member lists, contact members follow-up regarding key contributions
      ii)       CAUW CRCF award ideas (items, inscriptions, kids framed artwork?)
     iii)     Other suggested Agenda items (Accomplishments Report, and more?)
     iv)     Confirm Chair (Fran) and Timekeeper (?)
   d) Updates: MSU Psych Clinic, Action Agenda and CAUW/CRCF
   e) Future GSC meetings Agency Spotlights for June meeting (re-schedule MSU Psych Clinic, Advocacy, other ideas?)  

5) Next GSC meeting dates
    a) GSC Special Meeting with Exec Directors on 5/21/10
    b) Regular GSC meeting on 6/9/2010
    c) Meetings in July or August?

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

NOTES Thursday April 1, 2010, 2:30-4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Lucy McClintic, Michelle Nicholson, MC Rothhorn, Ken Sperber, Beany Tomber

Meeting Agenda and Notes
Michelle asked if there were any additions to the proposed Agenda emailed to Operations Committee members, and there were two (Legislators Bus Tours 4/28/10, and Ingham ISD Re-Imagine).  The Operations Committee approved the 3/4/2010 meeting notes as written.

Implementation Grant Progress

Oral Dental Health Workshops - Three workshops are to be held.  The first was on 3/25/10 and 17 child care center staff attended, the second was on 4/7 for Relative and Day Care Aides, and the third will be on the week of June 7 for Home Visitors (GPGS, EHS, FOS).  Brenda Martinez, from CACS Head Start, is leading the workshops and distributing the dental wheels.  Michelle and Lucy discussed ways to reimburse parts of Brenda’s time and workshop expenses.  Michelle is following up with Delta Dental and the MI Dental Health Association about sponsorship for the next printing of the dental wheels.

Advanced Coaching – Discussions are continuing with Pat Wesley at the Frank Porter Graham Institute for possible training on June 15 & 16.  At the Quality Initiatives workgroup there was discussion about the target audience for the workshop.  The current plan under discussion at QI is to invite 12 education supervisors from Head Start, 2 CMH consultants, 6 field instructors from LCC and the 4 current coaches. The format of the training may need to be divided into parts over a 2 day period as there are different issues for coaches who are in a supervisory role, with inherent power, and coaches in a consultative role. There would be some content that would apply to both groups, but some that may need to be different.  Potential sites for the workshops are LCC and Grand River Head Start Center.

Parenting Resources – Chris Singer is working with Ken and Michelle on updating the listings on the www.MIGreatParents.org and 211 websites, as well as developing a print version of the Parenting Resources.  Chris plans on having the updates done by mid April.

Budget Updates

The MI Senate passed their version of School Aide Bill without many changes in early childhood programs.  One area of concern was that the Senate added language that the GSRP funds can be used by school districts for activities other than early childhood programs. 

CNRA
This year MDE has told all applicants for GSRP funding that they each need to get an endorsement from the local GSC after a review of their CNRA (Community Needs Resource Assessment).  We have already sent out an email to the Ingham GSC about the Lansing School District GSRP application with their CNRA attached.  Other GSRP programs have also asked for endorsement of their programs including Okemos, Williamston, Stockbridge, Holt, Capital Area Academy, and Haslett.  Ken will be sending out emails shortly for the Ingham GSC to review these additional CNRA charts as soon as we receive them from the GSRP applicants.

ECIC Annual Conference 4/14 – 4/16/10
Michelle, Fran, Stephanie, Chris, and MC will be the 5 member team representing Ingham GSC at the ECIC Technical Assistance Annual Conference 4/14 – 4/16/10 at Shanty Creek.  Ken is standing by as a backup if ECIC opens additional spots.  The Technical Assistance Conference includes keynote addresses, breakout sessions with 7 tracks of workshops , and a Good Ideas Sharing Session.  Each of the local GSCs from around the State will be sending a team to the Conference.  

New member Orientation 4/21/2010
It was suggested that we invite Nicole Martin, Dee Smith, Stan Kogut, Peggy Roberts, ReShane Lonzo, Tim Marzorati, Kathy Vogel, Nino Rodriguez, Derek Hartwell, Rorie Ann Dodge Ginot, Vickie Shannon, Emily Armstrong and Linda Sanchez.  LaVera prepared an invitation flyer, Ken will email them out; and Keri & MC will lead the Orientation Session.

Community Forum
The Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, Shiawassee and Jackson County Great Start Parent Coalitions and Great Start Collaboratives are hosting one of six community forums to be held across Michigan this spring.  Local panelists with early-childhood interest/expertise will participate in a discussion with the audience regarding the importance of early childhood programs and the necessity of making them a priority. 

It will be held at Chippewa Middle School Cafeteria, 4000 Okemos Road from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.  The Panel Moderator will be Sheri Jones, WLNS-TV 6; Cheryl Kreger, Superintendent, Okemos Public Schools will give the Welcome; and Rob Stephenson, Michigan Teacher of the Year will be featured as a special guest. 

The Panelists (so far confirmed) include: Jane Zehnder-Merrell, Michigan League for Human Services, Michigan Kids Count Report; Rep. Richard Ball, R-Laingsburg; Judy Samelson, CEO, Early Childhood Investment Corporation; and Carolyn Bloodworth, Secretary/Treasurer, Consumers Energy Foundation.

Ken will send out flyer to all Ingham GSC email lists as soon as the Panelists are confirmed.  We hope to have 100 people attend and get good media attention.

Early Childhood Bus Tour 4/28/2010
Plans are being developed to tour local legislators and policy makers from 10am-2pm on 4/28 to local early childhood programs.  It was suggested that visits include the Maple Hill HS Center, Harley Franks GSRP/ECSE/PLG and the Health Department (WIC or Child Health).  Michelle and MC volunteer to chauffer their vans for the event, Ken offered to help as a backup.

Lansing State Journal (LSJ) Editorial Board
Michelle representing the Ingham GSC, with Sharon from CAUW, and Dennis from CRCF met on 3/26/10 with the LSJ Editorial Board for an hour and a half. A LSJ poll showed that the top 3 issues in our community were priorities around the Economy, Regionalism, and Literacy.  Michelle explained how early childhood meets all these needs.  As a follow-up the LSJ will be sending a reporter out to Edgewood Village to visit the Play and Learn Group there.  The LSJ is committed to publish other success stories on programs that work and make a positive difference in families’ lives.

Star Power Rally 5/19/2010
We expect that the flyer announcing the event will be going out soon.  All members are encouraged to register at the ECIC website for the Star Power Rally: http://www.greatstartforkids.org/star-power

Planning 5/21 GSC meeting with Executive Directors
It was agreed that at the meeting we should share the 1 page accomplishment sheet, and present certificates of contribution for GSC members.  There was discussion about the categories of membership, PWC members, regulars, workgroups leaders and key members that do not attend GSC meetings but are very involved in our efforts.  There was additional discussion about agency contributions with multiple staff, and it was agreed that it would not be necessary to read all the lists of people and all their activities.  We do need some way to make the accomplishments list meaningful to the individuals (maybe by talking with each person to have them say what they consider their greatest contribution).  It was also suggested that the total number of hours put into all our efforts might be an impressive statement of the community’s involvement.  Michelle asked for suggestions about awards for the funders.  Members offered several ideas such as a potted plant with poem, kids framed artwork, artwork portraying kids, or a trophy with inscription.

Social-Emotional Health Workgroup (and TAG subcommittee) Updates
Ken reported that by using Implementation Grant Funds from the ECIC, the workgroup has been able to arrange for Dr. Brooke Ingersoll from the MSU Autism Clinic to provide 12 hours of training for up to 30 participants for the Ingham GSC.  The Project ImPACT Training will be held on April 22 & April 27 at the ISD in Mason and will include participants from a variety of agencies (including CEI CMH, Head Start, Early Head Start, ICHD, GPGS, GSRP, ECSE, Early On and parents.  Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) trains early intervention and early childhood staff to teach parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) evidence-based strategies for improving their child’s social-communication skills during on-going family routines.

Ken also reported that the Workgroup is in discussions with Dr. Daniel Greenberg from the MSU Psych Clinic to set up a satellite clinic for families with young children. This clinic would be located at the Grand River Head Start Center and serve both Head Start families and recent graduates of the Early On program who have social-emotional needs, and would benefit from individual or group counseling.  The therapeutic services would be offered by MSU doctoral level Psych students under the supervision of Dr. Greenberg.  The funding may be provided by a combination of GSC partner and MSU in-kind donations, and some funding from Head Start and the Ingham GSC (using the CAUW/CRCF funding we reserved for mental health therapeutic services).  The Operations Committee encouraged the continued exploration of a partnership with the MSU Psych Clinic to provide needed mental health services for families of young children that are not now available in our community.

ECIC Re-Imagine Early Years
Michelle offered a quick update that the 15 Re-Imagine sites selected by the MI Dept of Ed for the Federal Race to the Top funding were asked to revise their proposals in March. ECIC has Kellogg Foundation funds and put out an RFP to support the early childhood portion of Re-Imagine (Re-Imagine Early Years). The applicants, including the Ingham ISD were asked to address several new pieces including - RTI (Responses to Early Intervention).  Districts already received $11M in ARRA funds for RTI for K-12.  The invited school districts were asked to apply for up to $100K, and maybe 7 or 8 districts will be funded.  Michelle will be forwarding the Ingham ISD Work Plan and a 1-page summary for the Operations Committee to review so that we can get Ingham GSC endorsement for the proposal.  Lucy and Fran commented on the needs that children have in areas that the school districts have so far been non-responsive.  Michelle said she would take these issues back to the ISD to suggest that maybe some of these problem areas could be addressed in the revisions to the Re-Imagine proposal.

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE  

AGENDA Thursday April 1, 2010, 2:30 - 4pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

1)   Review Proposed Meeting Agenda (4/1/2010)

2)   Review previous meeting Notes (3/4/2010)

3)   ECIC Updates
     a)  Implementation Grant Updates
        i)    ASD Project Impact Training (4/22 & 4/27) 
        ii)   Oral Dental Health Workshops
        iii)   Advanced Coaching Seminar
        iv)   Parenting Resources listings
    b)   Budget Updates and Advocacy Issues
    c)    ECIC Shanty Creek Conference 4/14/2010

4)   GSC Business
    a)   GSC new member Orientation 4/14/2010
    b)   Community Forum 4/21/2010
    c)    Star Power Rally 5/19/2010
    d)    Plan Special GSC meeting with Exec Directors (5/21/10) and presentations
        i)    Review member lists, contact members regarding key contributions
        ii)   CAUW CRCF award ideas (items, inscriptions, kids framed artwork?)
        iii)  Other suggested Agenda items (Accomplishments Report, and more?)
        iv)  Confirm Chair (Fran) and Timekeeper (?)
    e)    Future GSC meetings Agency Spotlight (re-schedule MSU Psych Clinic, Advocacy, other ideas?)  
    f)     Updates: Action Agenda and CAUW/CRCF  

5)   Next GSC meeting dates (no April 2010 GSC meeting)
    a)   GSC Special Meeting with Exec Directors on 5/21/201
    b)   Regular GSC meeting on 6/9/2010

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Notes Thursday March 4, 2010

MSU Center for Economic Development, 1615 E Michigan Ave, Lansing MI 48912

Present: Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber, MC Rothhorn

Meeting Agenda and Notes
Michelle asked if there were any additions to the proposed Agenda emailed to Operations Committee members, and there were none.  The Operations Committee approved the 2/3/2010 meeting notes as written. 

Implementation Grant

The Ingham GSC Implementation Grant Proposal has been approved by the ECIC.  This funding will enable the GSC to enhance activities in two areas (Professional Development and Parenting Resources) from now through September 2010. In the area of Professional Development we will be organizing 4 interagency workshops for GSC agency partner staff and parents.  The following is a summary of the latest on each of the Professional Development workshops:

Putting the FUN Back in to FUNdementals March 9, 2010 at Pattengill Middle School with lunch provided.  This training is intended for classroom staff working in Kindergarten, First Grade, Early Childhood Special Education, GSRP, Head Start, and child care throughout the greater Lansing area. Joan Firestone from Oakland ISD will be the keynote speaker; and there will be 6 facilitated breakout sessions all focusing on ways to help make the Standards for pre-K and GLCEs for Kindergarten and 1^st grade engaging and fun.  The training is co-sponsored by the Ingham Birth to Five Great Start Collaborative, Kindergarten Transition Committee, and the Lansing Kindergarten Steering Committee. The Implementation Grant will pay the food costs, Lansing School District is donating the meeting space and paying for printing supplies and part of the speakers’ fees along with CACS Head Start.

Advanced Coaching workshop – QI is taking the lead on arranging training about advanced techniques for coaching.  The target audience will be LCC field advisors, and HS supervisors, coaches in the Coaching Project and others offering quality improvement suggestions to child care center staff.  Currently under consideration is a training through the Frank Porter Graham Institute using their model of collaboration and coaching.  Proposed dates for the training are on June 15 and 16th or in September 2010.  

Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders  – A subcommittee of the Social Emotional Health Workgroup (and KEEP Task Force) has been in discussions with Dr. Brooke Ingersoll from MSU to offer a Project ImPACT Training to GSC partners and parents.  Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) trains early intervention staff and others working with parents of young children techniques to teach parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) evidence-based strategies for improving their child’s social-communication skills during on-going family routines.  The training will include a two-day workshop and follow-up feedback on the provider’s implementation of the intervention, as well as parent coaching skills.  The first day of the workshop covers the program’s theoretical foundation and the intervention techniques. The second day covers strategies for conducting parent training, and provides additional practice opportunities for learning the intervention techniques and coaching parents.  The planning group is looking to invite 25-30 participants to the training from a variety of GSC partner agencies including: GSRP, ECSE, Head Start, Health Department, CMH, GPGS and parents. The tentative dates for the workshops are 4/22 and 4/27/2010.

Dental & Oral Health – Using the Cavity Free Kids curriculum, Brenda from Head Start will be leading three workshops: on 3/25/2010 for child care center staff, on 5/13/2010 for day care aides and relatives, and one for Home Visitors (TBA).  Each workshop has a capacity for 30 participants.  OYC is helping to publicize the workshops to child care providers and arrange locations for the training.

In addition, this ECIC Implementation Grant funding will enable us to make a more concerted effort to pull together Parenting Resources.  Chris Singer, with a Performance Contract through the Ingham ISD, will be working to collect all the information discussed in the Parent Education Workgroup meetings and organize it in a way that it can be used as a resource directory including sections on Parenting Classes, Home Visitor Programs, and other Parenting Resources.  The updated Parenting Resources will be published in print and on the Internet.  The updated resources will be shared with GSC partner agencies, posted at the MI Great Parents website and the Ingham GSC website, and offered to other websites such as 2-1-1.

Budget Updates and Advocacy Issues
A Community Forum is being convened by the ECIC on April 21st from 6-8pm for the mid Michigan region.  This is being planned as a media event in order to have parents and community members tell their own stories about the importance of early childhood.  The meeting will be in Okemos at Chippewa Middle School (the site for the monthly Ingham GS Parent Coalition meetings).  In addition to Ingham Great Start Parent Coalition and Ingham Great Start Collaborative we will be partnering with Jackson, Eaton, Clinton and Shiawassee Counties.  A Panel will include Judy Samelson from ECIC, local superintendents, and other child advocates.  Michelle has been asked to be the moderator for the panel.  As soon as a flyer is developed by ECIC we will be sharing it with the Ingham GSC and Parent Coalition.

The 4^th annual Star Power Rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing will be on May 19, 2010.  On-line registration and additional information will be available at the ECIC website: www.greatstartforkids.org/star-power

ECIC has asked us to save the date of July 14, 2010 for a statewide convention at the MSU Breslin Center.  More information will be coming shortly about this event to focus public and media attention on early childhood issues during this election year cycle.

Updates: Action Agenda and CAUW/CRCF

Ken and Michelle are working to keep the Year 2 CAUW/CRCF Budget updated.  Overall we have committed money to each of the specific project areas in the budget, and are mostly on target to draw the money down as planned.  They will prepare a budget update for the Operations Committee to review at our next meeting.

CEI CMH and Ingham ISD have come to an agreement to use CAUW/CRCF funds to support Barry Kaufman 15 hours per week as a Transition Consultant to provide consultations to Early On staff, KEEP-like services, and family counseling and therapeutic home based services for families transitioning out of Early On.  This was included in the CAUW/CRCF Year 2 Budget under Coaching & Other Professional Development, and Therapeutic Home Visits.

Ken reported that the Social Emotional Workgroup has been discussing with the MSU Psych Clinic and Head Start the possibility of a satellite clinic at the Grand River Head Start Center for mental health counseling services for families with young children.  These services would be for families who are not eligible for CMH, and could be offered services on a sliding fee scale.  We are looking into the possibility that a combination of MSU, Head Start and GSC in-kind and cash funding can support these needed services.

Michelle is moving ahead with hiring two temporary employees to expand the Play & Learn Groups.  It may be possible for these two staff to participate in PAT training being organized by Early Head Start.

Special GSC meeting (5/21/10)

The Operations Committee discussed plans for a Special GSC meeting with agency executive directors on 5/21/10.  We are planning to hold the GSC Special meeting just before the Power of We Consortium monthly meeting in HSB Conference Room A.  Since many of the agency executive directors regularly attend the PWC meetings, we hope that we can attract some of them to come earlier for the GSC Special meeting with the lure of lunch and a short focused Agenda.  The Operations Committee discussed catering food, invitations and presentations at the meeting.  It was suggested that we begin the GSC Special meeting at 11:30am, and use a caterer for a hot lunch (perhaps Fazolis).  It was agreed that sharing the GSC Annual Accomplishments Report, awards to GSC participants, and updates on activities from workgroups would all be valuable information to share with agency directors.  Members recommended that we focus on the Special GSC meeting on 5/21/10 and not hold an additional meeting on the usual second Wednesday of the month (cancel the May 12^th meeting).  These ideas will be shared and discussed at the GSC meeting on 3/10/10.

Plan for next GSC meeting (Wednesday March 10, 2010)

AGENCY SPOTLIGHT - Since March is Parenting Awareness Month and April is the Month of the Young Child we will be featuring a Parent Panel (from 2-3pm).  Keri and MC are working with the parents to get ready for this presentation.  At the meeting we will review progress and updates on the ECIC Implementation Grants.

Since there was no February GSC meeting due to a snow day, we will go with the same Chairperson (Keri) and Timekeeper (Fran) to lead the meeting.  Other suggested Agenda items included: Action Agenda revision plans for September 2010, announcement of April 21^st Orientation meeting (MC has two dads and a mom that may attend), plans for the Special GSC meeting on 5/21/10, and the Birth to Work quick power point (if time permits).

We will also save time for Early On updates about the changes in eligibility requirements and potential loss of some funding due to changes in the EO grant formula for 2011.  In addition Stephanie and Michelle will be sharing information about Ingham ISD updates Race to the Top, layoffs, and staff changes.

Next meeting dates

We have previously agreed that there will be no April 2010 GSC meeting (due to the ECIC annual training conference April 14-16^th).  At this meeting we agreed to skip the regular May GSC meeting for 5/12, and instead make our next GSC meeting be at the Special Meeting with Executive Directors on 5/21/10.  Looking ahead, the Operations Committee will continue to meet on the regular schedule of the first Thursday of each month on April 1^st, May 6^th and June 3^rd.  

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Thursday March 4, 2010, 3:30-5pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

1)      Review Proposed Meeting Agenda (3/4/2010)

2)      Review previous meeting Notes (2/3/2010)

3)      ECIC Updates

  a)      Implementation Grant Proposal
  b)   Budget Updates and Advocacy Issues

4)       GSC Business

  a)      Updates: Action Agenda and CAUW/CRCF 
  b)      Special GSC meeting with Exec Directors (5/21/10) and presentations

5)      Plan for next GSC meeting (Wednesday March 10, 2010)
  a)      AGENCY SPOTLIGHT - (since March is Parent Awareness Month & April is the Month of the Young Child) feature a Parent Panel 
  b)      ECIC Implementation Grants
  c)      Confirm Chair (Keri) and Timekeeper (Fran)
  d)      Future Agency Spotlights - Parent Coalition Panel (March), May & June (Advocacy, re-schedule MSU Psych Clinic) 
  e)      Other suggested Agenda items (BTW, Action Agenda revision plans, April Orientation meeting, Special GSC meeting 5/21/10)
  f)        Next GSC meeting dates (no April 2010 meeting) in May GSC meeting on 5/12, or with Special meeting on 5/21 ?

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting Notes Wednesday February 3, 2010, 2:30-4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

Present: Lisa Chambers, Fran Jozefowicz, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peterson, Ken Sperber, Beany Tomber

Meeting Agenda and Notes
Michelle asked if there were any additions to the proposed Agenda emailed to Operations Committee members, and there were none.  The Operations Committee approved the 1/7/2010 meeting notes as written.

ECIC Updates

Implementation Grant Proposal
Michelle inquired about the funding from ECIC for our Implementation Grant Proposals, and once again ECIC had several questions that they wanted answered before they would approve the funding.  Michelle answered each of their new questions and hopefully the approval will be forthcoming shortly. 

ECIC Annual Conference & Call for Proposals (Shanty Creek April 14-16, 2010)
Michelle (as Coordinator), MC & Keri (as parents), and Stephanie & Fran (as Chair and Vice-Chair) are willing to attend as the Ingham GSC Team (and Ken is available as backup).  Stephanie and Fran will write a workshop proposal on our Social Emotional efforts and submit to ECIC.  People will be making their own room reservations.

Smart Start Webinar 2/18 from 11am-6pm
Michelle has registered for the webinar, and asked if any other members were interested in participating.  She will forward the Agenda and the workshop titles in an email to the Operations Committee.

GSC Business

Year 2 CAUW/CRCF updates (HV, PLG, Coaching, Scholarships)
- We have been discussing hiring additional staff as temporary employees for the Play & Learn Groups.  Two people (both with experience and training) have already expressed interest in the position.  Since we have budgeted for 1 fte, Michelle suggested that we may be able to look at hiring both of them (each as a part-time person).  Ingham ISD staff with PAT certification could do more of the home-visiting, and these two new people could focus on the new Play & Learn Groups or GPGS Playgroups (if they are not PAT certified).   The staff could be hired as temporary staff at the ISD or maybe at Head Start.  It was suggested that we double check with Head Start to see if PAT training might be available for these temporary staff. 

- Coaching is moving from 8-12 coachees, now we are at 9.  Want to enroll scholarship sites targeted for 2 additional coachees, and one maybe for CMH KEEP-like services

- Scholarships can be quickly awarded, in the next couple of weeks, applications are out now for this third round of awards.

- The Social-Emotional Workgroup is looking at extending the work that the Transition Coordinators did during the summer.  As a pilot project they helped transition some families leaving Early On into other community services.  The S-E Workgroup has recommended that it would be better to consolidate into one position a staff person who could deliver consultations with agency staff (such as Early On) and/or parents, therapeutic home-visits, inter-agency referrals, and help in the coordination of services.

Public Awareness Workgroup
The Ingham Great Start Collaborative and Capital Coalition for Youth will be convening a joint Public Awareness meeting on Thursday, 2/11/10 from 9-11 am at MSU-CCED, 1115 E. Michigan Ave.  The plan is to look at how to promote awareness, and to coordinate media and community events related to young children, youth and families. The Workgroup plans to look at how we go beyond the use of print media and increase use of social networking, websites and edu-tainment to jointly publicize our work and events. The common goal is to explore additional ways to promote the importance of children and youth in our communities.

Birth to Work (BTW)
Michelle shared the slide show that will be presented at the next PWC meeting.  Members gave feedback about including parents in the section on supportive factors for middle school youth.  It was suggested that we share the presentation at the March GSC meeting.  {The Birth to Work presentation is now available on-line for viewing at the Birth to Five website at http://www.cacvoices.org/organizations/birthtofive/minutes/BTWppt }

Special GSC meeting with Exec Directors and Presentations
The Operations Committee has been discussing doing a special event in lieu of an April GSC meeting.  Several ideas have been suggested:
- certificates of appreciation (personalized with each members biggest contribution to GSC and presented by the Agency Director to the GSC member)
- provide a catered meal during lunch hour
- share the template of Annual Accomplishments
- recognize the funders CAUW and CRCF at same event
After some further discussion it was agreed to move ahead and discuss this further at the February GSC meeting.  In order to have more time to plan the event, the Operations Committee agreed that the event should be held on Friday May 21, 2010 (before the Power of We Consortium meeting) instead of in April.

Plan for next GSC meeting (Wednesday February 10, 2010)
Agency Spotlight - MSU Psych Clinic (Dr. Dan Greenberg and/or Grad Students) is confirmed.  Keri is next in the rotation to serve as Chairperson for the GSC meeting, and Fran agreed to be Timekeeper.

The Committee discussed ways to make the meeting more interactive while giving Workgroup updates and progress reports.  Time will be reserved on the Agenda for talking about the ECIC Implementation Grants, the Endowment Fund, CAUW/CRCF Year 1 Summary Report and additional updates.

The Parent Coalition is planning an Agency Spotlight for our March 2010 meeting - it will be a Parent Panel.  Other items were suggested for future discussions including: BTW, Yr 2 CAUW/CRCF, April Orientation meeting, and the Special GSC meeting with Executive Directors.

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Wednesday February 3, 2010, 2:30-4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

1)      Review Proposed Meeting Agenda

2)      Review previous meeting Notes (1/7/2010)

3)      ECIC Updates
   a)      Implementation Grant Proposal
   b)      ECIC Annual Conference Call for Proposals (Shanty Creek April 14-16, 2010)

4)       GSC Business
   a)      Year 2 CAUW/CRCF updates (HV, PLG, Coaching, Scholarships)
   b)      Public Awareness Workgroup
   c)      Birth to Work (BTW)
   d)      Special GSC meeting with Exec Directors and presentations

5)      Plan for next GSC meeting (Wednesday February 10, 2010)
   a)      AGENCY SPOTLIGHT - MSU Psych Clinic (Dr. Dan Greenberg and/or Grad Students)
   b)      ECIC Implementation Grants
   c)      Confirm Chair (Keri) and Timekeeper (???)
   d)      Future Agency Spotlights - Parent Coalition Panel (March), April?
   e)      Other suggested Agenda items (BTW, Yr 2 CAUW/CRCF, April Orientation meeting, Special GSC meeting)
   f)        Next GSC meeting dates (2/10, 3/10, no April 2010, 5/12)

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting Notes January 7, 2009

Ingham ISD TEC Rm 411 Mason, MI

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Keri Keck, Lucy McClintic, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber

Meeting Agenda and Notes
Michelle asked if there were any additions to the proposed Agenda emailed to Operations Committee members.  Discussion items were added at end of the Agenda for two ECIC meeting conflicts on February 4^th and April 14^th.  Michelle also suggested we add discussion of the ECIC call for proposals for the ECIC GSC Annual Conference April 14-16, 2010.  The Operations Committee approved the 12/3/09 meeting notes as written.

ECIC Updates

Implementation Grant Proposal
We were supposed to hear by Monday 1/4/2010 about funding of the Ingham GSC proposed Implementation Grants, but have not yet received notification from ECIC.  Michelle will again follow-up with ECIC to find out about this funding. 

ECIC template for 2009 Accomplishments due 1/22/2010
Ken developed a draft of the Ingham GSC Accomplishments handout using the ECIC template and samples from Oakland and Jackson County GSC.  Members offered suggestions to include additional information about coaching, scholarships, Play & Learn groups, joint recruitment, and connections to GSC partner services, under GSC Activities.  Lucy agreed to send Ken the dollar amount figure for the Head Start and Early Head Start expansion grants to include in the template.

GSC Business

Year 2 Budget for CAUW/CRCF update
CRCF has committed to a fourth year of funding to the Birth to Five Youth Initiative with the Ingham GSC for $75k.  Brad is in discussions with RE Olds Foundation and Consumers Energy Foundation to firm up commitments for their continuing to fund the Initiative in this and the coming years.  As soon as he has firm commitments from the other Foundations, Brad suggested that we hold a press conference to announce the new Foundation awards for the Birth to Five Initiatives.  Brad’s intent is to shop around for a national foundation to pick up this project after this initial cycle of local foundation funding.

MSU Evaluation of CAUW/CRCF Initiative
We have an almost final version of the Play & Learn evaluation and Coaching evaluation prepared by Jessica and Jason from MSU Outreach & Engagement.  The total cost for the evaluation was agreed upon to be $28k, with $14K already paid they may draw down the balance upon completion of other specified evaluation activities (home-visit, Imagination Library, and scholarships) before March 2010.  They will also be taking time at a GSC meeting to do a focus-like group to hear from partner agencies their perspectives on the networking to collaboration continuum, and the system changes occurring as part of the implementation of the activities funded by the project.  The balance of the already designated funding will pay for the remainder of the full evaluation including an executive summary.  The MSU evaluation team is now putting together a revised timeline for the remaining pieces of the evaluation project. 

CRCF Endowment Fund
We have been given permission to use $10k of CRCF Year 1 Carryover funds to start an early childhood endowment fund.  Michelle met with Brad to discuss the mechanics; next we need to designate a name and purpose for the endowment fund.  We also need to develop a plan to gain other investors in the endowment fund.  CRCF expects that we will list the CRCF Foundation on all our promotional materials, and that we do an annual mailing to promote contributions to the endowment fund.  Federal and State Tax credits will be available for donations to the endowment fund (note: a $400 donation will cost a donor only $150 after tax credits).  Michelle asked for suggestions for a name for the endowment fund.  The consensus was to try and steer away from “Great” or “Start” in the title (since we already have had Even Start, Head Start, Great Start, Great Parents Great Start, Great Start Readiness Programs and Great Start Connections).  Michelle shared a draft of the purpose for the endowment fund.  It was suggested we bring it to the Collaborative for wider discussion. 

ECIC GSC Annual Conference April 14-16, 2010
ECIC has sent out a save the date announcement for the ECIC GSC Annual Conference on April 14-16, 2010.  In response to the ECIC call for workshops for the Conference, the Operations Committee members discussed some topic ideas including S-E initiatives, Oral-Dental Health, and Coaching.  These topics seem to best fit under the designated tracks of Strategic Planning and Implementation. Stephanie and Fran were both possibly interested in attending along with Michelle, Ken, MC and Keri.  

Plan for next GSC meeting (Wednesday January 13, 2010)
Pat Farrell, PAS Grant (Promoting Academic Success) is confirmed as the guest speaker.  Stephanie offered to serve as Chair and Keri as Timekeeper.  Future Agency Spotlights were discussed including the MSU Psych Clinic (February), Parent Coalition Panel (March), and MSU Outreach & Engagement evaluation (April).  It was suggested that Dean Transportation might be a good Agency Spotlight for a future meeting.

Next meeting dates (some conflicts)
The next regularly scheduled Operations Committee meeting (following the pattern of the first Thursday of the month) would be on February 4^th.  However, the ECIC has scheduled a Parent Leadership Institute on the same day and MC, Keri, and Ken will be attending.  Members agreed the next Operations Committee would instead meet on Wednesday Feb 3rd at 2:30pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The next GSC meetings are scheduled for 1/13/2010, 2/10/2010, and 3/10/2010.  In April the Operations Committee meeting will be on April 1^st  (no joke).  The April GSC would be on April 14^th, however, the ECIC has scheduled the ECIC GSC Annual Conference for April 14-16, 2010.

The Operations Committee considered moving the meeting earlier in the month (but that would be difficult because of school breaks), and also considered it later in the month (but that took it too close to the next GSC meeting).  The Operations Committee recommended that we skip an April GSC meeting and continue with a May meeting 5/12/2009.  The Operations Committee will meet on April 1^st to address any urgent issues between GSC meetings.

During the Operations Committee meeting a heavy snow was falling and the group was faced with an inter-agency problem solving challenge.  During the Operations Committee meeting an urgent message was delivered that a parent and child who attended the Play & Learn Group at Summer Place arrived by taxicab, but was now stranded, since with the worsening weather the taxicab drivers would not come back to pick up the family to take them home.  Fortunately Lucy was able to call the Head Start Transportation Coordinator and ask her to help.  The Head Start bus that was going by Summerplace anyway was able to stop and pick up the parent and child and take them home.  Thank-yous were given to Lucy and Head Start for their intervention to avoid a family crisis and help the parent return home safely during the snowstorm.  

Right after this weather related transportation crisis was averted, the electrical power including the overhead lights went out in all the Ingham ISD buildings in Mason.  Even though we were meeting in a windowless room without emergency backup lighting, the Operations Committee members continued thru the Agenda using lights from their cell phones, and the light from the laptop computer screen (running on battery power). The members finished working out the proposed Agenda for the January 13th GSC meeting, and then the meeting concluded at 4:30 while still in the dark.

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA January 7, 2009 (revised)

NOTICE meeting location change:
Ingham ISD Thorburn Ed Ctr Rm 411
from 2:30-4:30pm

1)      Review proposed Agenda

2)      Review Meeting Notes from December 2009

3)      ECIC Updates
    a)      Implementation Grant Proposal
    b)      ECIC template for 2009 Accomplishments due 1/22/2010

4)       GSC Business
    a)      Year 2 Budget for CAUW/CRCF update
    b)      Evaluation updates

5)      Plan for next GSC meeting (Wednesday January 13, 2010)
    a)      Pat Farrell, PAS Grant (Promoting Academic Success) - CONFIRMED
    b)      ECIC Implementation Grant proposals
    c)      Confirm Chair (???) and Timekeeper (???)
    d)      Future Agency Spotlights - MSU Psych Clinic (February?), Parent Coalition Panel (March?)
    e)      Other suggested Agenda items?

   a) Operations Committee meeting February 4, 2010 at BLC in Lansing ECIC PARENT Institute – same date

   b) GSC meetings 1/13/2010, 2/10/2010, 3/10/2010

   c) April 14 GSC mtg – ECIC GSC Annual Conference at Shanty Creek - same date

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting Notes - Thursday December 3, 2009 3-5pm

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

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Lucy McClintic, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, MC Rothhorn, Marcia Rysztak, Ken Sperber

Ingham Birth to Five Initiative Proposed Budgets

The Agenda for the meeting was primarily to review and approve budgets.  The Operations Committee spent the meeting reviewing, discussing and then approving the budget for the Birth to Five Initiative (CAUW/CRCF grant), and a broad outline for a budget for the ECIC funded Ingham GSC 2010 Implementation Plan Proposal.

The discussions for the CAUW/CRCF grant budgets included focus on both the Year 1 carryover funds and a budget for the new funds in Year 2.  The Operations Committee reviewed a spreadsheet detailing the Year 1 budget and the unspent funds in each project line item.  Ken and Michelle presented a proposed budget for these carryover funds aligned with the new budget categories agreed upon by the funders and following the GSC designated priorities.  There was a balance of $82k from the Year 1 budget that can be used as carryover in Year 2.  There was consensus to use $10k of the carryover funds to start up an Endowment Fund at CRCF for Early Childhood; and to use $3k as cash match for the new ECIC Implementation Fund. After setting aside these funds it left $69k in carryover funds to re-program in the new Year 2 budget categories.

Ken and Michelle presented a proposed budget that allocated most of the carryover funds and the new funds in the three areas that the funders had designated as the highest priorities: Play & Learn Groups, Home Visits, and Coaching.  In the budget proposal that was presented for discussion each of these line items would be doubled compared to the Year 1 budget.

In discussion it was agreed to move the Professional Development activities to the ECIC Implementation Fund proposal, and to reserve funds for an outside evaluation on a separate line item in the CAUW/CRCF budget.  It was also noted that the line item for the Ingham ISD Indirect Rate (7.7%) needed to be re-calculated on the total of grant funds to be used in Year 2 (Year 1 Carryover $82k, plus the Year 2 Budget $250k = total of grant funds $332k); the new recalculated amount for the Indirect Rate is $25.6k. 

The Operations Committee reviewed the ECIC guidelines for the new Implementation Fund.  The funds will be available for systems change projects that are in the GSC Action Agenda and implement the "performance measure" of:  "The Great Start Collaborative has made at least five measurable changes/reforms that have increased access to and/or the coordination of high quality programs for young children and their families.”  The Ingham GSC can apply for up to $30k of funds with a 10% or $3k local match.  The Ingham GSC Implementation Fund 3-page proposal and budget sheets are due to ECIC by 1/4/2010.  After brainstorming a variety of ideas and further discussion it was agreed that the Implementation Fund Proposal should be for two projects: Professional Development Training ($20k) and Coordination of Parenting Information, Recruitment, and Outreach ($10k).

The Operations Committee continued discussions and a few changes were made.   Consensus was reached on the CAUW/CRCF budget, the summary of which is attached as a separate spreadsheet.  Since the GSC is not meeting in December, it was agreed that the Implementation Fund Grant Proposal and the CAUW/CRCF Grant Summary would be circulated to the GSC membership via email for their concurrence and time reserved for follow-up discussion at the January 2010 GSC meeting.

Next Operations Committee Meeting

It was announced as a reminder that the next Operations Committee meeting will be Thursday 1/7/2010 at 2:30pm.  The meeting location for the 1/7/2010 Operations Committee meeting has been changed to the Ingham ISD Thorburn Education Center Rm#411 in Mason. The meeting adjourned at 5:15pm.

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA December 3, 2009  at revised time: 2:30-4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

1)       GSC Business
    a)      Year 1 carryover, Year 2 budget
    b)      ECIC Implementation Fund proposal ideas

2)      Funding Updates

3)      Other discussion items

4)      Next meeting dates
    a)      GSC no December meeting
    b)      Operations Committee meeting January 7, 2010 at BLC in Lansing

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Notes November 5, 2009

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)

Present: Beany Tomber, Michelle Nicholson, Fran Jozefowicz, MC Rothhorn, and Ken Sperber

Additions to Agenda, Minutes Approval
Michelle asked if there were any additions to the proposed Agenda emailed to Operations Committee members.  Ken reported that he received an email from Marcia asking for a correction to the October 3, 2009 Operations Committee Notes removing her name from those present at the meeting.  The Operations Committee approved the 10/3/09 meeting notes with that one correction.

ECIC Updates

Central Region Professional Development
Barb reported at the Quality Initiatives Workgroup Monday that the Regional Resource Center has submitted the training Plan to ECIC, and after ECIC requested revisions, they have re-submitted the Plan, and are now awaiting approval.  One change is that now they are considering having Resource Center hubs within the region in Midland, Alma, and Lansing, with the administrative offices at OYC.  Also the Great Start Connect website is still working out the bugs in the on-line childcare referral system.  Providers should be receiving letters to invite them to update their own individual provider records in the next week.

2010 Work Plan & Budget, ECIC feedback
The 2010 Work Plan and the Summary Budget sheet will be sent out with 11/11/09 GSC meeting announcement to the full GSC email list.  Michelle noted that there is an increase in the Parent Liaison line-item, due to the new ECIC requirement of a Parent Liaison for at least 60 hours per month.  We are looking at a combination for parent coordinators with MC and Keri Keck.  

GSC Business

Performance Contracts
In September 2009, in order to prevent a lapse in services we created a one-month extension of the performance contracts for Ken (for support services) & MC (as Parent Coordinator) for the month of October 2009.  Then since we were late in hearing from ECIC and the State budget funding, we missed the Ingham ISD Board monthly approval cycle in October, so now we are getting a set of new one-month contracts (for November 2009); and at the same time we will be getting contracts for 10- month amendments for the remainder of the fiscal year for performance contracts for Ken and MC. 

Michelle is talking with MC and Keri to make sure we are covered for the required 60 hours per month, and including adequate funding to cover ECIC required Parent Coordinator (Liaison) meetings. There was discussion about the additional amount of work that the new and growing ECIC requirements have generated, and the additional efforts to coordinate and work on the Foundations funded activities.  Michelle also noted the increased travel for workgroup meetings and ECIC required TA meetings. 

Michelle offered to have Ken and MC leave for the discussion if the members so desired. Members seemed comfortable having them present for the discussion.  Michelle recapped that last year the Operations Committee considered raising the amount budgeted for Ken’s performance contract for support services and coverage at additional meetings such as the Lead Coalition, Safe Kids, Safe Sleep and the Greater Lansing Homeless Resolution Network; and the Operations Committee opted instead to ask its own members to provide coverage.  Fran commented that is not happening (member coverage), and even when other members might be at meetings like Safe Sleep, Ken brings the GSC wider perspective and the latest information from several workgroups.  Fran supported the benefit of Ken or Michelle being available at all the meetings.  Fran suggested that Michelle use her judgment to add additional funding to Ken and MC performance contracts for these additional activities within the general constraints of the budget.  There was agreement among Operations Committee members for Michelle to proceed ahead with negotiations with Ken and MC to reach an agreement on the additional work and compensation to be included in their performance contracts for next year.

Child Care Enhancement Program (CCEP formerly KEEP)
Fran reported that the ECIC re-organization of CCEP is very difficult, and will be showing growing pains as it tries to provide newly defined coverage for the 10 County region.  Fran is on the State Social Emotional Workgroup, and a subcommittee.  Fran says she is hanging in there, and is trying to make all those new meetings.

Coordinators Evaluation
Fran collected and MC presented to GSC the feedback from the membership about the GSC Coordinators (Michelle and Ken).  Fran summarized that the results were positive and very positive.  She was not sure how to sort out the nuances of the poll, since all the feedback was positive to varying degrees.  As part of the new ECIC requirements there will be a Professional Development Plan required for both the GSC Coordinator and the Parent Liaison positions.

GSC Evaluations feedback
Michelle passed out copies of the Zoomerang survey summary for the GSC evaluation completed by members on-line.  Michelle drew our attention to question #21, which identified who else should be at our GSC table.  Responses included DHS, Courts, and more school districts.  The Ingham GSC 2010 Workplan includes activities to recruit these additional members to the GSC.

Since we took the time to begin an evaluation process at the meeting, Fran suggested we should bring it back for further discussion.  If not the whole survey, maybe some specific items can be discussed – such as who is missing at the table, and how we can get them to participate in the GSC.  Beany suggested item #1, how members felt about the purpose of the collaborative, would also be important to share.  In discussion on #24, enough time on decision-making, Beany commented that for those who come to Operations Committee (and workgroups) there are indeed much more detailed and open discussions.  It was suggested that we post a full copy of the feedback survey to the website with the meeting Minutes.

Ideas from GSC Coordinators meeting
Other GSCs in our region seem to have similar agenda items as we do at our meetings.  One different idea was that Jackson GSC rotates the meeting sites to get an opportunity to feature different agencies.  The Operations Committee discussed the idea of holding upcoming GSC meetings at other agency sites like the Health Department, the Courts buildings, or Head Start to spotlight agencies and possibly involve more staff.  It was suggested maybe we could do it at the former Grand River School/ new Head Start site, or the Human Services Building for the Health Department and DHS.  There may be disadvantages (such as confusion) to moving around every month, and the added burden for parents who use the on-site child care at our current location,  but maybe we should consider doing a featured meeting site twice a year.  There was consensus to continue discussion of this idea at the GSC meeting on Wednesday.

Funding Updates

State budget updates
Michelle shared the Budget Basics update from Michigan’s Children which summarized the final State approved budget including what was in, and what was cut.  The link for the update is: http://www.michiganschildren.org/images/stories/BudgetBasics/2009/budget_summary_11_09_final.pdf

GSRP Competitive, GSRP School District Formula
Although the State final budget did not cut the GSRP programs funded via School District Formula, the GSRP Competitive grant program funding was cut in half.  All of the GSRP Competitive grant programs that were up for renewal applications (in their third of a 3-year funding cycle), lost all of their funding.  In our area, that meant the Y-Care Child Care Center lost their entire GSRP program, and the Lansing School District lost about 192 slots.  Because Intermediate School District programs are considered among the competitive grants (not in the school aid formula funding) some counties lost hundreds of thousands in GSRP funding.  Michelle shared that in Ingham County 70% of registered voters do not have children in the schools, which adds to the uphill battle to get approval for additional revenue for schools. 

Kellogg Proposal
The MSU application to the Kellogg Foundation around Birth to Work (featuring supports for Birth to Five) still has not been completed.  It is being re-worked yet another time since the sense is the Kellogg Foundation has again changed their priority focus areas.

Grant Opportunity
The Quality Improvement Center on Early Childhood has released a Request for Proposals on Child Abuse and Neglect Research and Demo Projects for grants of up to $1.4M.  The Feds will be awarding 3-5 grants for a 40-month period.  They are looking for strong research proposals, covering 4 spheres of influence including the child, family relations, community and systems change.  Fran said that the CEI CMH Infant Mental Health model has been studied, but not yet reached level of evidence-based practice.  They are interested in pursuing this grant opportunity.  At first only a Letter of Interest is required, and then if the project is selected they will be asked to submit a three-month planning proposal, and after that may apply for 3-year implementation grant. Fran has received encouragement from CEI CMH and ECIC to apply for this grant.  The project would use parent advocates (former clients) to help draw families into other family support activities to enhance the Infant Mental Health program.  The research model would use a comparison group in Monroe County, which uses the same Infant Mental Health model without the advocates.  The Operations Committee agreed to support the CEI CMH grant application, and to commit the involvement of the GSC and workgroups in the grant planning process (if awarded). The RFP timeline is: 11/9/09 Letters of Interest due, 11/30/09 invitation to write proposals, 2/26/2010 awards announced, 3/1/2010 planning grants start, 5/27/2010 full operations.

MSU Evaluation Report
Michelle has not yet received the full MSU Evaluation Report on the Play & Learn Groups and Coaching Project.

Foundations Year 1 Carryover and Year 2 Budget
Michelle suggested using the Dec. 3^rd Operations Committee meeting to work more in depth on carryover funding and Year 2 budget for the CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative.  Since there will be no GSC meeting in December we can use most of our Operations Committee meeting time on the budget issues rather than planning the next GSC meeting.   

Plan for next GSC meeting
Since the 2^nd Wednesday this month falls on November 11^th, the Veteran Day Holiday, there was a request to consider moving the GSC meeting back a week until Nov. 18^th.  An email preference survey was sent to all GSC members and twenty responses were received.  The tally of preferences was close:  6 wanted to keep the meeting on 11/11, 4 preferred to changing it to 11/18, 4 said neither dates works for them, and 6 could do either date. Going with the majority vote, we will keep the same usual second Wednesday date 11/11/09 for the GSC meeting.  Ken will send out an email to the full GSC email list announcing the meeting date, and include apologies to those not able to attend.

Fran and Beany declined to chair the GSC meeting on 11/11/09, because they would not be in attendance. MC offered to step up chair the meeting for a second month in a row.  He will ask for a timekeeper to volunteer at the meeting.  For November the Agency Spotlight will be MSU Extension with Joyce McGarry, and the Breast Feeding Initiative with Bambi Cook.  There is no GSC meeting scheduled in December, but in January 2010 Pat Farrell has agreed to speak about the PAS Grant (Promoting Academic Success).  This is a five year grant with Lansing SD, Head Start, BCFI, and MSU to promote academic success for boys of color.  The Great Start Parent Coalition asked to have the agency spotlight at a future GSC meeting reserved for a parent panel.  It was suggested that we plan this for March 2010 to coincide with Parent Awareness month.

There was discussion about ideas to create twice a year events to draw in agency Executive Directors to GSC meetings and efforts.  One idea was to feature a Report to the Community and invite the Directors, include a luncheon and recognition for the foundations.  Perhaps, April - the Month of the Young Child, could be planned as a meeting like that.  Another idea is to attend two Power of We Consortium (PWC) meetings, and to present GSC updates to Directors there.  We will look at doing both: in April inviting Directors to GSC meeting and also going to them at 2 PWC meetings during the year.  Michelle spoke with Stan Kogut, the Ingham ISD Superintendent, about attending future GSC meetings in person.

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA November 5, 2009

at revised time: 2:30-4:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

1)      ECIC Updates
   a)      Central Region Professional Development
   b)      2010 Work Plan & Budget, ECIC feedback
   c)      Parent Coordinator requirement (60 hours/month)

2)       GSC Business
   a)      Performance Contracts (for Support (Ken), and for Parent Coordinators (MC & Keri)
   b)      GSC Evaluations feedback
       i)        Coordinators Evaluation results, recommendations
       ii)       GSC survey, recommendations
       iii)     Idea from GSC Coord meeting - consider rotating GSC meeting place
  c)      Prof Dev Plans for Parent Coord & GSC Coord (new ECIC requirements)

3)      Funding Updates
   a)      State budget updates
   b)      GSRP Competitive, GSRP School District Formula
   c)      Kellogg Proposal  
   d)      Other

4)      CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative
   a)      Evaluation Report
   b)      Year 1 carryover, Year 2 budget

5)      Plan for next GSC meeting (2^nd Wednesday = November 11^th)
   a)      20 GSC meeting date emails (11/11/09  or  11/18/09)
   b)      Confirm Chair (???) and Timekeeper (???)
   c)      November - MSU Extension - Joyce McGarry, and Breast Feeding Initiative
   d)      Other suggested Agenda items?

6)      Future Agency Spotlights
   a)      Pat Farrell, PAS Grant (Promoting Academic Success) - a 5 yr grant with Lansing SD, Head Start, BCFI, and MSU to promote academic success for boys of color
   b)      Future meetings CPS, ABCD, Legislator, other ideas?

7)      Next meeting dates
   a)      Operations Committee meeting December 3^rd at BLC in Lansing
   b)      GSC no December meeting?

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Notes October 1, 2009 1-3pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)

Present: Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Fran Jozefowicz, MC Rothhorn, and Ken Sperber

ECIC Updates

Central Region Professional Development- CCEP funding for KEEP will now be for entire Central Region (10 Counties, 8GSCs).  Fran reported that KEEP Advisory Committee will be meeting as part of the Central Region Resource Center Advisory quarterly meetings.  Barb, Central Region Project leader, sent out an email to the Central Region planning group saying they were awaiting approval of the Plan, and the word on funding.

Action Agenda 2010 revisions- The Operations Committee reviewed the proposed changes in the revised Action Agenda for next fiscal year. The mark-up copy that Ken and Michelle prepared included only minor revisions and changes to reflect our progress in implementing the original goals and objectives. The marked-up version reviewed had yellow highlights of the additions and strike-through font for the deletions.  The Operations Committee agreed with the revisions and suggested some wording changes on pages 3 & 19.   Fran suggested that we send out the revised Action Agenda to the GSC membership in advance of the meeting on 10/14/09, with a suggestion that members review and bring any questions to the meeting for discussion.  The consensus was that the revisions were mostly updates and small wording changes so that only a brief summary should be needed on the Agenda at the GSC meeting.  It was suggested that we also mention some of the items accomplished and briefly review the Birth to Work framework to refresh members about this item at the end of the Action Agenda.

GSC and Coordinator evaluation results- Fran has only received back 3 GSC Coordinator Questionnaires out of 12 distributed.  At the Operations Committee request, Ken will re-send the form with a revised deadline of Tuesday 10/6 by 10am – and a reminder that this is a requirement by ECIC.  LaVera sent a report that we have received only 15 completed GSC Surveys through the on-line Survey Monkey, from GSC members out of a possible 150.  Ken will send out a second reminder with a revised deadline of Monday 10/5/09.

Funding and Advocacy Updates

No new State budget updates still awaiting legislative action beyond the one-month extension of continuation budgets.

Fran raised an issue that Barry has brought up on several occasions about the inclusion of day care aides and relatives (informal care providers including friends and neighbors) in outreach efforts for training. The concern raised is that the QI Workgroup is focused more on center-based care. As a procedural issue Ken and Michelle agreed with Fran that indeed the Operations Committee was the appropriate place to discuss this concern.  Michelle explained that efforts to reach Aides and & Relatives had been discussed in at least three GSC Workgroups including QI, Parent Ed, and KEEP (in addition to here at Operations Committee).  In response to this growing need, it seems clear to all that this is becoming a higher priority for us to address.  Michelle understood as a result of these discussions that Barry & Lori would be convening a group of Parent Ed and QI members to focus on Aides and Relatives training and/or mentoring needs.  Michelle will put it on the QI Agenda for the next meeting, and then we will continue discussing at Parent Ed, KEEP, Central Region Resource Center Advisory Group, and Operations Committee meetings.  It was suggested we also put it on our GSC meeting Agenda for group discussion and suggestions.  Maybe a group of interested people from several workgroups could get together to focus on this topic and help us plan more concerted efforts.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative

Evaluation – Jessica Barnes from MSU Outreach and Engagement let Michelle know that the feedback so far has been very positive, and preliminary reports will be ready by Oct 30^th.

Year 1 carryover, Year 2 budget - Michelle forwarded the funders a revised proposed budget for Year 2.  Michelle is writing a narrative progress report for Year 1.  The MSU evaluation report should be available by the end of October.  There will be no real further decisions until we hear more about State budget outcomes.

It was announced that Keri Keck will be leaving ICHD Teen Parent Network to become the Executive Director (part-time) for child abuse and neglect council in Jackson.  Jan Kimble will assume her TPN Coordinator duties; it is likely ICHD will not be filling Keri’s vacant position.  It was suggested that at the next GSC meeting we circulate a card recognizing Keri for her efforts and wishing her well at her next job.

Public recognition for CRCF & CAUW efforts- After discussion it was suggested that we pick an event during Parenting Awareness Month (March) or Month of the Young Child (April) or perhaps an event with PWC or Birth to Work.  We will be looking for a large event that is open to the public, and would draw media attention.

Plan for GSC meeting on October 14th

MC offered to Chair the GSC meeting on 10/14/09.  It was suggested that at the GSC meeting we ask attendees for a volunteer to be the Timekeeper.  Hopefully with Ken sending out another round of email reminders we will have received additional GSC and Coordinator Evaluation feedback.  We will report out what we received by the revised deadlines.

MC requested that we reserve time for the Parent Coalition discussion on 4 community events.  Also time should be saved for reviewing the Food Mover schedule.  Based on requests from CMH, we will add to our Agenda time to discuss serving Aides & Relatives and DHS clients.  It was suggested that we not spend time on just reviewing the GSC Calendar but highlight specific items – such as sharing the Capitol Rally pictures and videos posted on Facebook.

We will reserve time for Parent Coalition report – 15 minutes for MC to talk about status, recruitment, and outreach events.  Also MC offered to lead a fun nugget – stress reduction.  MC will bring some energizer ideas.  At future meetings Stephanie suggested we think about including a fun quiz about agency services.  Fran suggested an activity about numbers and facts in discussion or from Minutes – help people learn new info in fun way with token prize for winning teams or pairs.  Fran also suggested using “What is Your Stress Style” indicators – as a quick inventory.

Agency Spotlights- We have confirmed the speaker from the Census 2010 for the October meeting, and for November Joyce McGarry from MSU Extension.  Future meeting possibilities include: Ingham County DHS (CPS), ABCD, and local Legislators. 

At the November meeting we will need to reserve time to review and approve GPGS Work Plan and GSC budget (if funded).

The Next Operations Committee meeting will be on November 5^th at BLC in Lansing at a revised time from 2:30-4:30pm.

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA October 1, 2009  1-3pm

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting NOTES September 3, 2009 1:30-3:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

Present: Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Fran Jozefowicz, MC Rothhorn, Jamie Yeomans, Ken Sperber, Marcia Rysztak

ECIC Updates

Central Region Professional Development – OYC is not at this Operations Committee meeting today because they are in a meeting with ECIC to review regional training plans.  Michelle and Fran are on the advisory group which has been drafting the regional plan, and their next regional planning meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, 9/10/09.  Questions remain if the training funding will be available and how much will be designated for which activities.  In addition, there are issues because the statewide coordinator contract has not yet been announced, and also the statewide child care referral service plans have not yet been announced.

KEEP updates – It is clear that next year’s funding will change the focus for all Child Care Expulsion Prevention (CCEP) programs.  The CCEP target age range will be moved down to 0-3 year olds and focused on DHS clients and aides and relative providers.  Funding has been cut in half statewide, so some CCEP funded programs were eliminated.  The new fiscal year funding will be re-distributed so that there is only one program CCEP per regional area.  Clinton Eaton Ingham (CEI) Community Mental Health (CMH) will continue receiving CCEP funding, but Shiawassee CMH will not.  CEI CMH had to agree for the KEEP program to serve all 10 Counties in the region in order to receive the CCEP funding at last year’s level.  CEI CMH agreed to try it for a year, to see if can be worked out.

Head Start expects to receive expansion funding for 87 new slots, 30 for the 3 yr old combination program (classroom/ home-visitor).  Most of the new families served will be in Lansing and some will be in a program in Leslie.  Unfortunately CACS Head Start received less money then requested.  The Early Head Start request was for 125 slots but they expect to receive 90 slots.  Of these, 50 will be in Lansing and 40 new slots will be created in Shiawassee County. 

GSC Coordinators conference call 8/20/09 - In advance of this meeting, Ken forwarded handouts on federal Health Care Reform proposed legislation comparing different House and Senate versions to the Operations Committee.  To our surprise the current versions do not propose improved coverage for all children.

ECIC sent Michelle a list of all the required GSC paperwork due by October 30, 2009. 
This includes:  Action Agenda accomplishments, Communications Plan, Organizing Statements, GSC Evaluation, Coordinator Evaluation, and Parent Coalition Evaluations (to be developed by ECIC).

GSC Coordinators evaluation plans - Ken and Michelle have drafted a GSC Coordinators Evaluation survey to get feedback on the role of Coordinators in the work of the Ingham Great Start Collaborative. Fran volunteered to collect the survey responses and tally the results.  There was discussion about the distribution of the surveys and the results.  The Operations Committee reached consensus that the Coordinator Evaluation survey should be sent to the Operations Committee and the GSC Workgroup Leaders.  There were suggestions on refining some of the questions, and the layout of the response scales.  At least four of the questions will also be included in the survey sent to the entire GSC email list as part of the overall GSC evaluation.
We will ask for the responses to be returned to Fran by September 30, 2009, so that they can be tallied and presented at next Operations Committee meeting on October 1, 2009.  A corrective action plan, if necessary, will be developed based on the evaluation results and the Coordinators responses.  The evaluation summary will be presented to GSC and forwarded to ECIC.

GSC evaluation – Michelle outlined a two-part evaluation of the GSC.  The first part would be a discussion at the next GSC meeting getting examples of networking to collaborating.  In addition, a Zoomerang Survey will be prepared to go out to the full 150+ GSC email list.  Suggestions were made about layout and content.  There was discussion about how much of the survey should be open ended vs. check boxes.  Michelle shared the evaluation tool ECIC distributed called the “Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory” (40 items).  There was discussion as to whether to use that Inventory, or just draw some of those items into first survey draft that currently had 9 items.  The Wilder Inventory items #9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 20, 22, 24 were noted as items not covered in first survey draft, and should be added as another section on the GSC evaluation form we are developing. Michelle agreed to work on these revisions.

Funding and Advocacy Updates

No new updates from State officials, still on-going negotiations between House and Senate leadership with the Governor to come up with a general budget blueprint to deal with $2.8B projected deficit.  It is important that letters of support keep coming in to elected officials about the importance of early childhood programs and services.

Performance Contracts

Since next year’s funding is not yet clear, but we do not want have any disruption in the support services provided by Ken and MC, Michelle initiated the paperwork for a 2-month extension of the current Performance Contracts.  After discussions Michelle and Jamie decided that the best way to keep her involved would be to hire her as an IISD temporary employee to build capacity for some Play & Learn groups.  The Operations Committee concurred with these actions to keep the Ken, MC and Jamie all working for the GSC. 

Michelle reported that she was letting the Faith Liaison contract expire, because she has received no communication from the Faith Liaison since June 2009.  Michelle has made repeated attempts to try and reach her by phone and email with no response.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative

Evaluation – MSU Outreach and Engagement will be conducting evaluations of the CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative activities over the next few weeks.  Six focus groups will be meeting to get feedback from Play & Learn participants, facilitators, interpreters, coaches, and coachees (protégées).  In addition, there will be phone interviews with P&L site personnel, coaches and P&L facilitator employer agencies.  We hope for preliminary results by end of September 2009.

CRCF Mini-grants – Michelle received notification from the Capital Region Community Foundation (CRCF) that all four of the Ingham GSC mini-grant requests were not funded.  CRCF received a record 279 applications, most of the grants that received funding were awards for activities related to basic needs.

Proposed Year 2 budget - Michelle and Ken prepared and shared two budgets: one summarizing the Year 1 budget status and the other the proposed Year 2 budget.  The first spreadsheet describes the current Year 1 Budget, what we have spent or are committed to spend, and the Year 1 carryover balance.  After setting aside an initial Endowment Fund contribution of $10k there will be around $104k carryover.  The second spreadsheet shows the Year 2 Budget numbers reflecting the guidance given by the Funders and the percentages discussed by the Operations Committee, Workgroups and at the GSC meeting.  There was some discussion about how carryover funds from the first spreadsheet might fit into the new Year 2 categories.  It is clear where some of the activities fit, while others will need additional discussion.  The plan is to first get approval of Year 2 budget, then to have discussions at next Operations Committee and workgroup meetings about how the carryover funds will be used in Year 2 to accomplish similar purposes of the original Year 1 line-items.

The Operations Committee approved the following Year 2 Budget for submission to the Funders:

Michelle discussed the issues related to the GSC funding with mixed sources of public funding.  The Ingham GSC currently receives funding from ECIC that is DHS quality improvement funds (which can not be carried over), and School Aid funds (which can be carried over into next fiscal year).  Michelle is working with the Ingham ISD business office to spend down the GSC expenses from the appropriate accounts.

The evaluation that MSU is currently conducting with focus groups, interviews and surveys will cost the GSC $18,000.  There was discussion about using GSC funds to help pay part of the costs of the MSU evaluation for activities that are in our GSC Action Agenda; and that we also use some the CAUW/CRCF funds to pay for part of the $18k evaluation costs.  Members agreed that it was appropriate to share the costs across both the Foundation and GSC funding since the activities relate to goals and activities in both areas.  The Operations Committee recommended that we set aside the balance of the unspent GSC funds (that can not be carried over) for part of the MSU evaluation services and for printing costs for up to 1,000 copies of the SE booklet.

Public recognition for CRCF & CAUW efforts – There was consensus of the importance of doing this in the next few months in a well thought out public event.  Further discussion was postponed to the next Operations Committee meeting.

Plan for GSC meeting on September 9^th

It was confirmed that Lucy will Chair and Jamie will serve as Timekeeper (with MC as backup) for the next GSC meeting.  The Agency Spotlight will be on Sparrow RNICU with Sandy Geller as the presenter.  In November MSU Extension will be featured with Joyce McGarry presenting.

Ruby Payne Lecture 9/2/09

Members who attended the lecture, talked about patterns of families in poverty and education impacts, sharing many stories from her experiences.  It was suggested that we spend part of one of our GSC meetings to follow up on the work of Ruby Payne focusing on children in poverty.  Michelle will contact Holt Public Schools to see if any of their staff trained by Ruby Payne might be available to present the ideas to the Ingham GSC in October or another month.

Next Meeting

The next Operations Committee meeting will be on 10/1/09 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E. Mt. Hope in Lansing.  At the request of the parents, the regular meeting time will be changed to 1-3pm, beginning with the October Operations Committee meeting.  The Operations Committee meeting adjourned at 3:45pm.

Click to Take Action Now !
http://ecic4kids.org/action/index.cfm

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA September 3, 2009 1:30-3:30pm

549 E Mt Hope AveMI48910 Bethlehem Lutheran Church (map)

1)    ECIC Updates
   a)    Central Region Professional Development
   b)    Coordinators conference call 8/20/09
   c)     GSC and Coordinator evaluation plans

2)    Funding and Advocacy Updates

3)    Performance Contracts extensions

4)    CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative
   a)     Evaluation
   b)    Proposed Year 2 budget
   c)     Public recognition for CRCF & CAUW efforts

5)    Plan for GSC meeting on September 9th
   a)     Confirm Chair (Lucy) and Timekeeper (??????)
   b)    Zoomerang feedback (1pm start, 2hrs, 10 mtg schedule, Spotlight)
   c)     Nutritious snacks and chocolate
   d)    Other suggested Agenda items?

6)      Agency Spotlights
   a)      September - Sparrow RNICU (Sandy Geller) confirmed
   b)      October - CPS, ABCD, Legislator, other?
   c)      November - MSU Extension - Joyce McGarry 

7)      Ruby Payne Luncheon 9/2/09

 Next Operations Committee meeting October 1^st  at BLC in Lansing

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting NOTES August 6, 2009

CEI-CMH 835 Louisa Street Lansing 48911

Present: Michelle Nicholson, Ken Sperber, Fran Jozefowicz, Stephanie Peters, Lisa Chambers, Jill Lawler, MC Rothhorn, Beany Tomber, Lucy McClintic, Marcia Rysztak

Minutes from previous Operations Committee meeting on 7/8/09 were approved.

ECIC Updates

Central Region Resource Center (Professional Development) - Michelle shared an overview including the planning timeline, as well as different training and resource opportunities that are currently available in our region.  Michelle asked for members to contribute input on the Gaps and Assets Worksheet that Barb Monroe (Central Region Project Leader) has been circulating.  In response to questions Michelle passed out the ECIC map of the 10 counties included in the Central Region training area.

Regional 2 TA session 7/29/09 - The issues covered included State budget updates, communications, and core funding.  The Great Start Collaborative funding is uncertain because the DHS budget eliminated Great Start and ECIC money, while the State School Aide budget  left in funding ($6M out of $6.75M line-item).  Coordination, Parent Coalitions and communications have been designated as core GSC functions.  ECIC has suggested that if the funding is cut but not eliminated then GSCs would all only be funded core services.  In this scenario local GSCs could also competitively apply for additional special project funds for items such as Professional Development, and infrastructure enhancements out of a pot of money (but the dollar amount, if any, is not clear).

GSC and Coordinator evaluation – ECIC has said that there must be an annual GSC evaluation and Coordinator evaluation.  Other GSCs will be sending us the tools they have used.  Ken and Michelle will present a draft for discussion and completion at the September Operations Committee and GSC meetings.

Funding Crisis and Advocacy Efforts

Parent Letters to elected officials - Michelle shared copies of a sample letter Ken prepared on his own time as a private citizen for parents to use when writing to elected officials.  Jill asked if the sample letters could be sent as email attachments to workgroup leaders and Operations Committee members. Ken agreed to send the sample letters on to the GSC membership.

Letters to the Editor - Michelle shared copies of 3 Letters to the Editor published by the Lansing State Journal urging restoration of funding for early childhood programs.  Michelle encouraged members to write additional Letters to the Editor to generate support for Great Start programs.  Lucy talked about the ripple effect the uncertainty is causing with GSRP parents and staff.  Ken agreed to send the 3 Letters published by the State Journal to the GSC membership.

Matt Gillard comments on “likely scenarios”- In a phone conference call with GSC Coordinators Matt Gillard shared the status of the cuts to GSRP, GPGS, 0-3 Secondary Prevention and Nurse Family Partnership (NFP).  Matt believes that there will be a compromise on GSRP to cut back rather than eliminate the program; but since Senate and Governor both recommended eliminating GPGS it is likely that it may not receive any State funding.  Also in Matt’s opinion, since 0-3 and NFP were both eliminated in the Governor’s and Senate’s versions of the FY2010 Budget, and they were both among the cuts in the Governor’s Executive Order for this year, it is highly unlikely that either will be restored in next year’s budget.  Matt added that pressure from parents on Legislators and the Governor could change the outcomes.

CCEP (KEEP Program) – Federal Quality Improvement dollars thru Michigan Dept of Human Services to Michigan Department of Community Health currently funds the Child Care Expulsion Prevention (CCEP) programs statewide, and the KEEP program locally.  CCEP has announced big changes for FY2010.  Beginning in October 2009 CCEP programs will only serve children ages 0-3; only serve clients receiving DHS paid child care; and at least half of the caseload must be serving children using DHS paid aides and relatives.  Also, the KEEP program has been told to open training services to entire Central Region of 10 counties.  KEEP and CEI-CMH are still trying to figure out how to make all these dramatic changes in a short time period.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative

Evaluation dollars - The exact amount needed for evaluation and Imagination Library has not yet been determined by the funders.  The GSC is trying to set our priorities for the amount to be spent after these dollar amounts (and administrative costs) are deducted from the Year 2 grant of $225k.  There was consensus to keep any unspent carryover dollar amounts from Year 1 dedicated to the same activities as they were originally designated.  Michelle shared that Brad is proposing to the CRCF Executive Committee an additional (4^th year) of funding for this Birth to Five Youth Initiative.  Michelle reported that she has asked Brad to begin the process to set up an Endowment Fund using $5k from Year 1 and $5k from Year 2 funding. 

Process - Michelle explained that today we hope to develop a priority list to match or amend the funders priority list, and attach relative percentages of funding to each area with input from the Operations Committee and the workgroup leaders.  We will then take this list of funding priorities to the GSC and Funders on 8/12/09.  Following that the Operations Committee will work on a line-item budget to implement these priorities at their meeting on 9/3/09.  The Year 2 Budget and a brief narrative will be forwarded to the Funders shortly after 9/3/09.  Once approved (or re-negotiated) the Year 2 Priorities and budget will be given back to the appropriate workgroups to discuss implementation strategies beginning with their October 2009 meetings.

Year 2 workgroup discussions - The Workgroup leaders summarized the discussions in each of their workgroups about Year 2 Priorities. 

Beany reported that Early Literacy Coalition discussed the two literacy activities: Literacy Events (at Malls, and agency host sites); and Emergent Literacy Activity.  Beany talked about the strong support from the committee and member agencies, and the large number that attend the events.  They felt that the Literacy Events ($2.7k) meet all the criteria except maybe the measurement criteria (which could be developed).  The Emergent Literacy dollars were going to be used to purchase books to enhance the literacy materials they developed for use with play groups in the 3 Counties Ingham, Clinton, Eaton.

Marcia reported that the Quality Initiatives workgroup (QI) looked at ways to make the Coaching Project more effective.  They have measurement plans in place and all the other criteria.  The numbers served grows when considering not only the trainees (coachees), but all the children and families served by these staff in the Coaching Project.  The group recommended that the number of coachees (protégés) that they are working with should be increased, and so should the number of coaches.  In addition, QI discussed the Scholarship Program, and the continuing high needs in the out-County areas.  MC questioned why out-County is being considered a higher priority than the City of Lansing.  The response was that Lansing already has a Scholarship Program, while there is no other comparable program for non-City residents.  MC and Michelle shared the discussion at Parent Ed workgroup was to include teen parents as a priority category. 

Michelle gave a quick update from Kindergarten Transition workgroup, and they had a strong desire to continue the joint PD training with this or other funding.  Lucy asked that we also consider some funding for joint recruitment brochures.

Fran shared that the S-E group has been developing the Gap Funding project, and is committed to continue working on this.  They also want to ensure that cross-training Professional Development continues as part of the Year 2 funding.

Jill reported that the Public Awareness theater spots were hard to measure in terms of impact (aside from anecdotal feedback).  The transit ads and posters have been developed.  Public Awareness suggested that we should be looking at using existing neighborhood events and fairs instead of planning or creating our own events.  MC said Michigan has more festival events than any other State, and that we should look for ways to connect and add our information to these activities.

MC reported that the Play and Learn Groups will be evaluated by the MSU evaluation team.  We have not spent all the money allocated, in part because it has taken a long time to start up, and also the need to identify enough qualified staff.  The home visitor activities are still evolving, but important in light of the other State funding cuts.

Lucy reported the CRCF has given $5k directly to the Miles for Smiles (for Ingham & Clinton Counties), but with Medicaid cutbacks the need is still enormous.

Funders Year 2 Priorities - Michelle distributed copies of the Funders (CAUW and CRCF) Year 2 Priorities, and the group discussed what the similarities and differences were from Year 1 funding priorities.  The Funders have placed the highest priorities on Year 2 funding in these areas (in this order): Play and Learn groups; Home visitations; Imagination Library (in Eaton and Clinton Counties); Early Education & Care Scholarships; and Coaching for caregivers.  Michelle asked the group to look at the Funders categories and think about how Year 1 activities fit in the Funders Year 2 priorities.

Consensus on prioritization, recommendations to GSC - Michelle asked workgroup leaders about how their workgroups’ recommendations fit into the Funders Priority categories.  Michelle asked the group to look at the current funded activities and sort them into the Funders Priority Categories and see if anything is left over.  Michelle gave members a sheet of Year 1 Budget numbers and percentages, as well as individual budget line-items on index cards.  She asked members to then place the index cards on large poster sheets taped on the wall to show where Year 1 budget activities align with Funders Year 2 priorities or any that would not need Year 2 funding. There was a long discussion on the placement of the items and where the left over items could fit.  There was consensus to broaden the Coaching for Caregivers category to include “and other Professional Development opportunities” and Imagination Libraries to include “literacy activities (mall events)” (if Clinton, Eaton and the funders agree).  We were able to indentify several Year 1 funded activities that will not necessarily need new Year 2 funding.  These include purchase of materials for parenting, dental, and public awareness areas since the materials are being purchased with Year 1 funds.     

The group added up the percentages in each category to get a sense of the current year’s budget allocations across the Funders Priorities for Year 2.  The group discussed the priorities and the funding in the context of the proposed State budget cuts and needs in the community.  The group tried to reach a consensus on the Category labels and the relative percentages.  The group acknowledged that some grant funds will be necessary to designate for IISD Indirect costs and administrative functions of tracking reporting & evaluation.  The funders will designate how much money is to be used for Imagination Library.  The Operations Committee and workgroup leaders reached consensus on the following guidelines for development of the Year 2 Budget:

1) Play & Learn groups 30%
2) Home Visitations 24%
3) Imagination Libraries (and Literacy Mall Events)  12%
4) Scholarships 7% (designated as high priority if additional funds become available)
5) Coaching and other Professional Development Training 16%

NOTES: These five items are expressed as relative percentages, and are not intended to add-up to 100%.  The italics denote suggested modifications to the Funders original Priority categories.

Review Zoomerang feedback about GSC meetings
Michelle shared the results of the on-line Zoomerang survey results compiled by LaVera.  20 GSC members completed the survey and the summary results will be emailed to the GSC membership with the next GSC meeting announcement.

Plan for GSC meeting on August 12
MC offered to serve as the Chair and Lucy as the Timekeeper for the GSC meeting on 8/12/09.  It was agreed to schedule the next meeting for two hours from 1-3pm.  The group also favored shooting for GSC 10 meetings during the coming year with no meetings in December and July.  Both of these changes are suggestions from the Zoomerang Survey results.

Because of the fullness of the proposed Agenda it was decided that we skip the agency spotlight this month.  Lisa agreed to invite Sandy Geller from Sparrow NICU for the September meeting.  Lisa commented that this will be timely since September has been designated Safe Sleep month.

Ingham ISD Re-Imagine Proposal
Michelle shared written copies of the Executive Summary of the Ingham ISD Re-Imagine Proposal.  This is a State grant application for the Ingham ISD to receive funds to improve education in our area.  Several Operations Committee members agreed to offer their signatures in support of the grant application on behalf of the Ingham GSC.

Lansing 150 Capitol Moves (8/2/09)
On Sunday 8/2/09 Ken and Jamie volunteered to work at the Lansing 150 Family Picnic.  Ingham Great Start sponsored Jean Bolley, the Foster Community Center Librarian, to be a storyteller in the Children’s Area at the event.

Lunch with Ruby Payne
Michelle reminded the group that Ruby Payne will be speaking at the Breslin Center on 9/2/09.  Michelle also mentioned that the Ingham ISD has arranged a luncheon for Ruby after her keynote speech and a limited number of guests will be invited.  Michelle said that if anyone was interested in attending the luncheon to please see her after this Operations Committee meeting.  MC, Stephanie, Ken and Lucy expressed interest in attending.

Next Operations Committee Meeting
On September 3, 2009 the next Operations Committee meeting will be held back at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lansing from 1-3pm.

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA (revised) August 6, 2009  1:30-3:30pm

CEI-CMH 835 Louisa Street Lansing 48911

1)    ECIC Updates
   a)    Central Region Professional Development
   b)    Regional 2 TA session 7/29/09
   c)    GSC and Coordinator evaluation

2)    Funding Crisis and Advocacy Efforts
   a)    Parent Letters to elected officials
   b)    Letters to the Editor
   c)    Matt Gillard comments on “likely scenarios”

3)    CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative
   a)    Evaluation dollars
   b)    Process outline
   c)    Year 2 workgroup discussions
   d)    Funders Year 2 Priorities
   e)    Consensus on prioritization, recommendations to GSC

4)    Review Zoomerang feedback about GSC meetings

5)    Plan for GSC meeting on July 8th
   a)    Confirm Chair and Timekeeper
   b)    Incorporate Zoomerang feedback
   c)    Agency Spotlight suggestions (CPS, ABCD, NICU, Legislator, other?)

6)    Lansing 150 Capitol Moves (8/2/09)

7)    Ingham ISD Re-Imagine Proposal

8)    Ruby Payne Luncheon 9/2/09

9)     September 3, 2009 Operations Committee meeting back at BLC in Lansing

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting Notes July 2, 2009  9-11am

Ingham ISD in Mason, Thorburn Education Center, Room A 

Present – Fran Jozefowicz, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber, and Beany Tomber

Fran asked that the Operations Committee Notes from June 4, 2009 be corrected to reflect that she was present at the meeting.  Ken noted the correction, and posted the corrected version on the Ingham GSC website,  http://www.cacvoices.org/organizations/birthtofive.

ECIC Updates

Fran announced that she has been accepted to be on the ECIC Social-Emotional Advisory Committee.  Michelle shared that Mike Foley has left ECIC to become head of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund.  Marissa will no longer be our TA rep from ECIC; temporarily Alissa Parks will now serve as our TA consultant.

Funding Crisis and Advocacy Efforts

The Michigan Senate has proposed some dramatic cuts in early childhood funding.  The Senate budget bills cut all ECIC funding, jeopardizing $204M in ARRA funds and match for TANF funds.  The Senate also proposed elimination of funding for all Great Start School Readiness Programs; Great Parents Great Start; and many other reductions.  The Senate voted to reduce the statewide allocation for Great Start Collaboratives by $750,000.
CEI-CMH is still analyzing which programs locally will be effected by the State funding cuts.  In part it will depend on the equity of the funding formula, how the funds come to the regional CMH boards, and in part how the CMH Boards decide spread the cuts across programs.  

Michelle shared the information piece prepared by ECIC summarizing the funding cuts by 5 component areas at the State level with space for local programs to fill in impact at the local level.  Michelle sent the sheets to CMH and ICHD to collect local data to help with advocacy in all areas. It was suggested that we keep talking about numbers of children and families affected by the cuts not only dollar amounts in cuts. Some people have a harder time understanding impact of dollars.

Fund Mapping - Report to the Community (timeline)

Judi completed the Fund Mapping Report and Executive Summary.  The Operations Committee approved submitting it to ECIC.  The Operations Committee decided it would be best to wait to put more energy into development of broad report to the community on fund mapping, since more immediate attention must now be focused on the cuts and the impact now rather than the report on funding levels in 2006. 

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative

Update on CAUW/CRCF grant spending – Year one funding was for $225k, of which roughly $60k is left unspent (or unencumbered).  Commitments from CAUW and CRCF are still firm for another $225k in Year 2.  Sharon Granger and Brad Patterson are still requesting additional funding from other foundations  - now making contacts with IBM and Accident Fund.
Evaluation dollars – Michelle and Ken have been meeting with Jason Almerigi and Jessica Barnes, MSU evaluators from Outreach and Engagement.  Since numbers of participants are small we will use focus groups, questionnaires and interviews.  The evaluation will be focused in August so we can report to funders on our successes.  We had $20k in budget for tracking reporting and evaluation.  MSU proposal has a $33k price tag.  Even if we do spend all of $20k, still short $13k.  Operations Committee members were concerned that committing that much money is a larger portion for evaluation than they felt comfortable with, and would rather MSU scale back the proposal or ask CAUW & CRCF to help us find outside funding (perhaps form Birth to Work Kellogg proposal). The Operations Committee felt that the bottom-line is that we should not commit to spend more than the $20k in this year’s line-item.  There were also concerns raised about what the evaluation costs would be for subsequent years. The group felt that we should be looking for next year’s evaluation cost to be substantially less.  

Year 2 funding prioritization and process – Michelle met with Brad last week – and said we are losing services that grant activities are built upon, and it is harder for partners to provide supporting services.  She asked if he could help advocating to keep State funding for early childhood.  Brad agreed to help with advocacy with the MI Council of Foundations. 
Fran suggested that maybe in Year 2 we may have to start funding positions to address funding cuts rather than continue funding the list of items funded in Year 1.  Michelle offered several ways for the GSC to prioritize Year 2 funding.  We could look at prioritizing funding in component areas.  We can review unspent money, and next years funding allocation, and consider whether to carryover or to pool and target unspent balance for changing priorities.  At GSC meeting it was agreed to report about the budget crisis situation, and the raise issue of potential need to backfill service positions since grant funded activities were going to be built on those core services. 
It was agreed to share the Operations Committee suggestions of a process to determine Year 2 funding priorities and motivations at the next GSC meeting.  The purposes or motivation for this re-examination is that there are proposed State cuts which will mean elimination of existing services; and that the funders are developing requests to potential new funding sources.

The Operations Committee reached consensus to re-evaluate our priorities considering: measurable outcomes, universal and targeted services, support collaborative system, integration of services, numbers impacted/served, part of Action Agenda, scalable and capacity building, leverages other resources, one-time versus on-going efforts.

The Operations Committee agreed upon a plan for work group leaders to meet on 7/17 at 1pm to discuss money spent, funding needed in Year 2, and priorities.  Workgroup leaders will discuss these issues with their respective workgroups in their July meetings.  We will try and reach a consensus at joint workgroup leader and Operations Committee meeting on August 6, 2009.  The recommendations will be brought back to the following GSC meeting on 8/12/09.  It was agreed to propose this plan at the GSC meeting and with the group’s approval proceed ahead.

Zoomerang Feedback Survey

Michelle shared that LaVera was out of work for back surgery and was not able to complete the analysis of the survey results.  Michelle will try and find access to the on-line survey data before the next meeting or have LaVera complete it upon her return to work.
GSC meeting 7/8/09
Lucy is scheduled to be the Chairperson for the next GSC meeting, since she is not at this Operations Committee meeting Ken will contact her to verify her availability to chair on 7/8/09.  Stephanie volunteered to be the timekeeper for the next GSC meeting.  It was agreed to focus most of the meeting on the proposed budget cuts, their effects and advocacy efforts to save early childhood services. 
It was suggested that the meeting include an Agency Spotlight either on faith-based efforts (Yvonne and with a participating Pastor), or on advocacy with Matt Gillard, ECIC Legislative Liaison talking about budget issues and advocacy.

The next Operations Committee meeting will be on August 6, 2009 from 1:30-3:30pm at CMH on 835 Louisa Street in Lansing.

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

July 2, 2009 AGENDA  9-11am

Ingham ISD in Mason Thorburn Education Center, Room A.

1)      ECIC Updates

2)      Funding Crisis and Advocacy Efforts

3)      Fund Mapping - Report to the Committee (timeline)

4)      CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative

    a)      Update on grant spending

    b)      Year 2 prioritization and process

    c)      Evaluation dollars

5)      Review Zoomerang feedback about GSC meetings

6)      Plan for GSC meeting on July 8th

   a)      Confirm Chair and Timekeeper

   b)      Reports Action Agenda progress,

   c)      Agency Spotlight suggestions (Yvonne and Pastor, or Matt Gillard from ECIC on budget issues and advocacy)

7)       August Operations Committee meeting at CMH on Louisa Street in Lansing

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

NOTES Thursday June 4, 2009 from 1:30-3:30pm

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber, and Judi Brown Clarke, Jamie Yeomans

ECIC Updates
Michelle shared the Memo from Judy Samelson at ECIC on the State budget difficulties and the group discussed the implications.  Members committed to help fight for early childhood education funding, but expressed the perspective that if funding cuts happen to early childhood education and the Great Start system, that some of the cuts should come from the ECIC state office, not all of the cuts should be from local Great Start Collaboratives.

The ECIC state-wide Technical Assistance Conference will be on 6/16-17/2009 at Boyne Mountain Resort.  Each GSC was invited to bring 5 members, and additional spaces will likely become available.  So far MC, Jamie, Michelle, Ken & Yvonne have committed to go, and Michelle again asked other members if they would like to attend.  Members present declined saying their June schedules were too busy.  Michelle will again extend an invitation to attend the ECIC TA Conference to the members at our GSC meeting on 6/10/09.

Fund Mapping Project reports (Judi Brown Clarke)
Judi presented the just completed Draft of the full Fund Mapping Report, and the latest Draft of the Executive Summary.  The complete Report has the actual dollar amounts, and the Executive Summary only has the percentages.  The complete Report has some numbers that are aggregate numbers of several programs (FIP $15M) and the bulleted lists show the specific programs included.  The charts use the 5 component areas as defined by ECIC.  Judi cautioned us that the charts include only the data that was available; probably there are additional sources that are not included.  Overall we were able to identify $39.7M in federal, state, local and private funding in Ingham County during 2006-2007.

Members quickly reviewed the 50 page Fund Mapping Report with Judi, asking questions and getting clarifications.  Michelle suggested adding in the Executive Summary more about Parent Education and Family Support using the numbers that Fight Crime and Invest in Kids uses would be useful to be included.  Fran talked about relationship of children in stress and poverty and changes in brain development, and that it would be also important to include this as well.  Michelle added that we used pet scans illustrating this in our 2007 Report to the Community.  Suggested that this be expanded in the front and back of the Executive Summary. Members discussed how and where to present the Executive Summary, or maybe make a more attractive brochure with the information.  The Operations Committee agreed to pursue a more graphical brochure (similar to the Report to the Community in 2007), and at least present to Power of We Consortium.   

Members suggest that we use the next GSC meeting to break into small groups after a presentation by Judi for discussion of the Fund Mapping Executive Summary and Report. Operations Committee members discussed about how to best involve GSC members in discussion of the fund mapping materials.  It was suggested that we send out the Executive Summary in advance of GSC meeting and break into small groups at the meeting for discussion.   Judi agreed to present the Report and Executive Summary at the beginning of the GSC meeting on June 10^th .  Ken said he would flip around the GSC Agenda to have her at the top of the meeting.

Review feedback on GSC meetings
Based on the feedback received at the previous GSC meeting Michelle, Ken, and LaVera developed a draft survey for the GSC membership about GSC meeting times, topics and format.

The survey will be in Zoomerang so that members can respond on-line and the totals can be tabulated through the website.  Members offered some suggested changes to the draft of the survey both in wording and content.  Michelle will have LaVera make the final changes and set the survey up in Zoomerang.  Ken will send out an email to the full GSC email list of 160 members with an on-line link to the revised survey after the GSC meeting on 6/10/09.  {The survey can be viewed on-line at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2299QAV7RH7 }.

The instructions will include a due date of June 24^th to allow adequate time for the tabulation and analysis of responses before next Operations Committee meeting on 7/2/09.

Plan for GSC meeting on June 10th

It was suggested that Jamie serve as chairperson and Lucy as timekeeper.  Ken will email Lucy to see if she is available, if not Fran is willing to serve as timekeeper.  The group agreed to break the Fund Mapping portion of the Agenda into 3 parts: 15 minutes Judi overview, 30 minutes small group discussions, and 15 minutes report back to large group.  Michelle suggested we use the same 3 small group discussion questions we used with community data: Do we see any surprises, is anything missing, and if we do a brochure version, what key things should be included or highlighted.

We will reserve a half-hour on the Agenda for Stephanie to the present Early On grant application and budget for 2009-2010.  After review the GSC should vote on recommendation of support for the application for the Power of We Consortium and the State funders.

Agency Spotlight

From the discussion at the last GSC meeting it was clear that the Agency Spotlights are an important part of the GSC meetings.  Members offered suggestions of future presentations including: Complete Streets Ballot Proposal, DHS Children’s Protective Services, ABCD Project (Jane Turner or Ashweena Gonuguntla), or Pat Farrell on the PASS Project and MSU updates.  In addition, it was suggested that we maybe invite Michigan State Senator Garcia, or Matt Gillard from ECIC.  Also members liked the idea of having Yvonne invite a church group to report on what they have done as a faith-based organization with early childhood.  One other suggestion was to have Sandy Geller from Sparrow RNICU to talk about updates in procedures, and how to make referrals.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation
Overall the Capital Area United Way (CAUW) community campaign fund drive has received less in community donations than in previous years.  In 2007 the CAUW campaign raised $5.5M, but in 2008 it only brought in $4.8M, and the outlook for 2009 is not especially positive.  However, to their credit the CAUW is honoring their commitment to fund the Early Childhood Youth Initiative with Capital Region Community Foundation.  The CAUW deserves a big thank-you for their continuing support of $100K per year for the Early Childhood Youth Initiative.  That said it may still be necessary for the GSC to re-prioritize efforts in the new fiscal year since other services have been cut that were building blocks of the CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative.  In working with the MSU evaluators it has become clearer that so many different grant funded efforts at same time are hard to measure in terms of outcome impact.  We may need to focus on a few larger projects to better demonstrate effectiveness in the coming year.  The Operations Committee and the GSC will have to engage in discussions about prioritization for the coming year of funding for the CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative.

Other Items  

The Operations Committee reviewed a request from a GSC member for mileage reimbursement to attend a training conference in northern Michigan.  Operations Committee members raised concerns about this training request setting a precedent for mileage reimbursement for conferences paid for on employer agency work-time and not directly focused on early childhood.  So far the Ingham GSC budget has only paid for conferences costs directly related to early childhood.  The Operations Committee members felt we should reserve the limited funds we have for professional development opportunities more directly related to early childhood education and care.

This summer the Operations Committee needs different meeting places since Bethlehem Lutheran Church is unavailable on Thursdays.  It was agreed to meet July 2^nd at 9am at Ingham ISD and Aug 6^th at CMH at 835 Louisa Street in Lansing from1:30-3:30pm.

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Thursday June 4, 2009 from 1:30-3:30pm

549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910
Bethlehem Lutheran Church (map)

1)      ECIC Updates

2)      Fund Mapping Project reports (Judi Brown Clarke)

3)      CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation

4)      Review feedback on GSC meetings (times and topics)

5)      Plan for GSC meeting on June 10th

a)      Confirm Chair and Timekeeper (Jamie and Fran)

b)      Budget updates (ARRA Stimulus funds, State cuts)

c)      Fund Mapping (interactive review)

d)     Early On grant application

e)      Report on Gap Funding pilot project progress

f)       Agency Spotlight (suggestions Complete Streets, others?)

6)      Choose Operations Committee meeting places for Summer  – need new locations since Bethlehem Lutheran Church unavailable on Thursdays

a)      July 7

b)      Aug 6

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

NOTES Thursday May 7, 2009

Present: Lucy McClintic, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Beany Tomber, Ken Sperber, and Jamie Yeomans

ECIC Updates
            There will be an ECIC Technical Assistance Conference at Boyne Mountain on June 16 & 17, 2009.  ECIC has asked each GSC to send a team of 5 members including the GSC Coordinator, chair and vice chairperson, parent coordinator and another parent.  Michelle, MC and Jaime have already agreed to attend.  Operations Committee members Stephanie, Lucy, Fran and Lori declined.  Ken said he would be available as a back-up; Michelle will ask at full GSC meeting on 5/13/09 to see if any other GSC members would be willing to attend.

            The Star Power Rally will be on 5/21/2009.  To promote the event an email was sent to all GSC members and then a follow-up reminder.  Also, at the Early On and GPGS picnic at Hawk Island Star Power flyers were passed out.  Lucy said she also put it in the Head Start newsletter.  Michelle said at the Rally there would be free T-shirts this year, but not tote bags.

Michelle encouraged people to come even if it is for just part of the day.

            ECIC sent out a kindergarten teacher survey to 2,000 teachers statewide.  ECIC received about 650 back.  ECIC wants more diverse responses, so they are targeting certain areas for follow-up contacts (including Lansing).

            Ken and Michelle, with assistance from Operations Committee members and other GSC partners, prepared a Project LAUNCH grant application.  ECIC asked for applications from Phase One local GSCs to serve as the Project LAUNCH demonstration site.  The selected GSC would develop a joint application with ECIC for a SAMHSA grant on social emotional well-being of children.  Although we wrote a good proposal in a short amount of time, we were not selected. Saginaw GSC was chosen by ECIC as the local partner demonstration site.

            ECIC Advisory Groups are seeking additional new members and the deadline has been extended to 5/11/09.  Fran and Ken have already applied; Stephanie and Jamie are considering.

Title 1 and ARRA funds

            Ken reported on a webinar and a conference call with PreK Now about investing Title I funds in preschool.  The link to the audio recording of the webinar, ARRA Title 1 Fact Sheets and other resource materials is on-line at:  http://www.preknow.org/advocate/confcalls/titleI.cfm

Lucy commented that Durand is the only school district in the area, which she is aware of, currently using Title 1 funds for preschool.  Title 1 funds may be used to extend Head Start programs to full day or full year, and can also be used for professional development training and for building renovations for preschools.  Tom Mumby is sharing the information with Lansing School District administrators, and Michelle has asked Ingham ISD to consider using Title 1 funds for preschool.

Fund Mapping Project 

            Michelle and Judi Brown Clarke have not yet connected about the Fund Mapping Project reports.  Michelle has talked with Jessica Barnes from MSU O&E to prompt movement on our project.  Jessica said she would talk with Judi to move ahead with contract for Fund Mapping Project and the activities.  The Operations Committee was in agreement that since we depended on MSU staff to help compile the data and prepare the reports, and Ingham GSC missed our deadline to turn the materials into ECIC, we will negotiate a contract for a lower dollar amount. 

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative 

            Ken and Michelle have been meeting with the MSU evaluation team for the CAUW/CRCF grant.  Jason Almerigi and Jessica Barnes from MSU will be attending two workgroup meetings (QI and Parent Ed) to discuss the evaluation plans for Play & Learn, Home-visiting, Scholarships, Coaching, and Imagination Library.  The funders (CAUW/CRCF) have also been attending the evaluation team meetings to make sure it is meeting their needs.  In addition funders have been hearing a realistic picture about required sample size so they can better understand that this is only a pilot project.  This will not be a full year evaluation, because some activities have been phased in.  Fran emphasized how important planning time is to bring a successful project up to an operational level.  Lucy commented that given the current financial environment it is especially difficult to make commitment of time and resources for planning and evaluation.

Michelle reported that Dart Foundation responded that they will not be funding the birth to five initiative with the other foundations because they are more focused on Science and Math in the later years.

Legislative Budget Updates
            The bill restoring Great Parents, Great Start funding HB 4447 is now in the Senate.  Looking at a State deficit of $1.3B in this fiscal year, the Governor has issued an Executive Order to make cuts in services now in the 2009 Budget ($300M).  The cuts sweep across much of State government and will slash $41 million in state aid to local communities.  Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals would be reduced by 4%, a $13-million reduction, and a long list of human services programs would be reduced or wiped out.  The latest budget summary from Michigan's Children catalogs the deep cuts in programs for children and families at:
http://michiganschildren.org/images/stories/BudgetBasics/2009/2009%20eo.pdf .  Lucy pointed out Medicaid cuts will really hurt dental services and the fatherhood and parenting initiatives

are being eliminated.  Fran shared that CMH will be hurt by cuts both on Medicaid reimbursements and non-Medicaid CMH allocations.

            ECIC is proposing an Early Childhood Strategic Fund and an Office of Early Learning for DHS Quality Block grant funds.  This might provide more flexibility to blend and braid funds from State and Federal sources in Michigan.

Birth to Work Operations Team
            Birth to Work has developed an Operations Team that will be pushing ahead the Birth to Work Initiative with or without Kellogg Foundation funding.  A sub-committee is doing one more re-write and will be submitting a grant application to the Kellogg Foundation by the end of June 2009.  The proposal will be for a MSU and community collaboration to support 3 crucial developmental periods (birth to five, middle school, and work force entry).  The Power of We Consortium, PWC Investors Steering Committee, Capital Region Community Foundation, MSU Outreach & Engagement, MSU Center for Community & Economic Development, and MSU Extension are all committed to the Birth to Work Initiative.

Plan for GSC meeting on May 13^th

            The Operations Committee discussed the GSC meeting length, topics, and discussion versus announcements.  It was noted that at the last several meetings we seem to be losing members near the end of the meetings.  Michelle commented that many members had let her know they needed to leave in advance.  Most reasons given have been about how busy members are with many other required activities.  There was discussion about whether we should we cut back on the length of time for the meetings.  Lucy commented that she thought that folks were interested in agency updates at the end of the meeting.  Michelle offered that we initially extended the meeting an extra half-hour for additional time during the development of the strategic plans, maybe now we can scale back to original 2 hour meetings.  Fran agreed and added that time management at the meetings would be crucial.  Beany commented that she remembered that we used to receive written reports from all the workgroups, Michelle and Ken pointed out that not all workgroups kept regular minutes, and that several workgroups did not complete the written reports with activity highlights.  Chasing down the information to complete the workgroup report was very time consuming. 

            Michelle pointed out ECIC only requires us to meet 6 times a year.  Fran shared that Eaton and Shiawassee GSC meet only every other month.  Beany asked if all workgroups meet monthly.  Ken replied that there are now more workgroups, and some have regular monthly meetings, some met more often, and others meet only quarterly.  It was suggested that if all GSC members were included in monthly workgroups, then the GSC could meet only every other month.  Another issue raised was that people are coming later and later, and we are not starting promptly at 1pm.  It was suggested that maybe we should offer lunch at 12:30pm or start later at 1:30pm.  Jamie commented that from a parent perspective it is important to have the meeting done by 3pm. 

            Members thought the Agency Spotlights at the GSC were useful.  Beany suggested contacting Michele Strasz who is now working at Michigan Reach Out and Read and the MI Pediatric Association.  It was agreed to continue these discussions at the upcoming GSC meeting regarding the time, frequency and content of the GSC meetings.

            It was also suggested that we spend time talking about how the Executive Order cuts will impact early childhood programs in our community.  Michelle suggested Ken review the GSC website calendar and how the members can see the Minutes for all the GSC workgroups.  It was confirmed that Fran will serve as Chairperson and Jamie as Timekeeper at the 5/13 GSC meeting. 

            Michelle suggested that new members are always welcome at GSC meetings, but asked to be advised in advance so she can arrange a new member orientation.  We still need to recruit additional parents to GSC meetings, Michelle asked for Operations Committee members to invite parents to attend.

             Stephanie asked to reserve time at the June GSC meeting for the Early On Grant Application.  Michigan Early On will receive $12M in ARRA stimulus funds.  Half may be used now, and half in next fiscal year.  Ingham ISD Early On will receive part of this, but we are still learning about the restrictions.  The Feds may pick 16 States that will be required to do monthly monitoring for transparency.  The new ARRA funds can be used to create and retain jobs for Early On - but must be able to sustain staff positions created after the two years of ARRA funding ends.

            Time will also be reserved on the GSC meeting Agenda for the Lansing 150 Parade on 5/16/09 and the Star Power Rally on 5/21/09.  Michelle has parking passes for the parking ramp at Ottawa & N Grand Avenue.  At the GSC meeting, members should also be reminded to help complete the Transportation Client Surveys.

ECIC Regional Resource Centers RFP

            Ken and Michelle explained the Ingham GSC members’ role in review of ECIC Regional Resource Centers RFP for child care provider training (members with potential conflict of interest were asked to excuse themselves during this discussion).  Several Operations Committee members raised concerns about the new ECIC drawn regional maps, and the apparent lack of local GSC input into the Regional Resource Center RFP and plans.  Ingham GSC is supposed to designate two members to participate in the RFP review process for the Regional Resource Centers.  Michelle will participate in the Coordinator role, and we need to identify a second representative.  Many of the Operations Committee members wondered about an appearance of conflict of interest, since their agencies may do business with potential applicants.  Jamie and/or another parent were encouraged to volunteer to bring the parent perspective to the review team.  If we are unable to identify another review team member from Ingham GSC parents or members, then Ken is willing to participate as the second Ingham review team member with Michelle.

Announcements

            Fran shared info about CEI-CMH grant application to the Dept. of Community Health for working with children with severe emotional impairments.. The grant would fund family support workers to go to along on home-visits with therapists.  In home-based therapeutic sessions it is very difficult to talk about adult trauma while children are present.   This grant would enable family support workers to engage the children while the home-based therapists work with the adults.  This should be a real therapeutic enhancement – hopefully improve treatment outcomes and also speed up the backlog of caseloads.  This would be a 5-year grant, with years 1 and 2 not requiring a local match.  Years 3,4, and 5 will need match money at 1:1 – the local match will then be $21k per year for the final three years of the grant.  The Operations Committee agreed it would be a good enhancement, and asked Michelle to write a letter of support on behalf of the Ingham GSC.

            Beany let the Operations Committee know that she will not be at the GSC meeting on Wednesday, since she will be in Tucson.  Meeting adjourned at 3:40pm.  Next Operations Committee meeting will be on June 4, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 1:30pm.

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Thursday May 7, 2009 from 1:30-3:30pm

at 549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)
PLEASE note we are back to the regular location and time!

1)     ECIC Updates
  a) June 16 & 17 Tech Asst Conference at Boyne Mtn (5 invitees)
  b) Star Power Rally 5/21/2009
  c) Kindergarten Teacher Survey - follow up
  d) Project LAUNCH grant application

2)     Fund Mapping Project

3)     CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative
   a) Updates on Evaluation (Monday QI, Tuesday Parent Ed)
   b) Dart Foundation update

4)     Legislative Budget Updates
   a) Updates on HB 4447, and Governor’s Executive Order
   b) Early Childhood Strategic Fund

5)     Plan for GSC meeting on April 15th
   a)     Discuss GSC meeting length, topics, discussion vs announcements
   b)    Confirm Chair and Timekeeper (Lori and Jamie, Stephanie, or Fran)
   c)     Also on GSC proposed Agenda –
      i)      Early On Grant Application
      ii)      Lansing 150 Parade 5/16/21
      iii)     Star Power 5/21/09
      iv)    Transportation Client Survey

6) Ingham GSC members role in review of ECIC Regional RFP (members with potential conflict of interest will be excused during this discussion)

Next Operations Committee meeting –
May 7, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 1:30pm

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting Notes Thursday April 2, 2009 from 2:30-4:30pm

at Ingham ISD, 2630 W Howell Rd, Mason 48854
(Thorburn Education Center Rm#411)

Present: Lori Brasic, Lucy McClintic, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber, and Jamie Yeomans

ECIC Updates
            More information has been sent out about the June 16 & 17, 2009 Technical Assistance Conference at Boyne Mountain.  ECIC has asked each local GSC to put together a team of 5 participants including: 1 GSC Coordinator, 1 parent Liaison, 1 GSC Chairperson, 1 GSC Vice-chairperson, and 1 parent GSC member.  After discussion Jamie agreed to attend as the parent GSC member, Lucy and Stephanie tentatively as chair and vice-chair, and Michelle as Coordinator.  MC will attend as the Parent Liaison and Ken will be available as a back-up if Lucy or Stephanie’s schedule changes and one of them can not attend.
            The ECIC statewide technical assistance conference originally scheduled for September 2009 at the MSU Kellogg Center has been cancelled.  There will be another Early Childhood Challenge on Oct 21, 2009 at the Lansing Center.
            The updated schedule for the Star Power Rally on May 21, 2009 is as follows: 9am Registration; 10am Parade of Collaboratives; 10:30am Program; 11am – 2pm Legislative Meetings, Briefings, Lunch, Kids Tent, Visiting Capitol; and 2 -3pm Collaborative Roundtable.
            Jamie shared that she has sent ECIC child activity ideas other than face painting (Impressions 5, hire puppeteers, story tellers, other performing artists) to ECIC.
            Michelle explained that on behalf of Ingham GSC she wanted to nominate Brad Patterson and the Capital Region Community Foundation for an early childhood recognition award at the Star Power Rally, but she was informed by ECIC that the recognition awards were only for legislative achievements.  It was suggested we look at another way to show public recognition for CRCF and CAUW for their support of early childhood.
            As a result of the Joint Recruitment Conference, Head Start, Early On, GSRP, OYC and ECSE are currently working on a joint recruitment brochure for free preschool programs, application, and wording for a common waiver form.  They will also be developing a joint intake forms, but will still do their own enrollment forms.  The joint intake form discussions include the partners coming to an agreement so that the forms can be faxed back and forth and families don’t need to repeat common intake information.
            Nancy Willyard is now working with ECIC on the joint recruitment efforts to provide technical assistance to local GSCs and partner agencies.

Fund Mapping Project

            Michelle has not received an email reply nor a draft Report from Judi Brown Clarke (and we do not have a signed contract yet).  After sending Judi an email invitation, Michelle set up a speakerphone for Judi to conference call with the Operations Committee at 3pm. However we did not receive a confirmation reply, and Judi did not contact us by 3pm, so we moved on with other Agenda items.

            Updates on Evaluation – Ken and Michelle have been meeting with MSU evaluators about measures and data sources; they are still outlining the broad strokes of evaluation points.  The next evaluation meeting to begin identifying more specific measurement tools will be on 4/16/2009.
            CRCF mini-expansion grants  – Ken, Mischele, and Michelle wrote four mini-grants that were submitted to CRCF on April 1^st.  The mini-grant proposals are to: expand coaching ($8k); enhance Parent Education & Family support efforts ($14k for interpreters and additional time for Play and Learn groups); fund the Family Literacy events at the Malls ($3.6k), and to purchase additional Play & Learn materials ($7.5k).  The CRCF will review the grant proposals between May & September 2009, so now we wait to hear whether any or all of the grants will be funded.
            Michelle had received initial information that Consumer Energy Foundation was going to give Ingham GSC a grant of $60k for child care scholarships per year.  But according to the latest information, it now looks like it might only be $25k per year with $15k per year for scholarships, and $10k designated to expand Imagination Library projects in Clinton and Eaton Counties.

Legislative Budget Updates
            Michelle and Ken attended a meeting at ECIC with legislative consultant Matt Gillard on 3/18/2009 about the State budget.  Ken will send out an email to the GSC summarizing the restoration of GPGS funding by the House Appropriations Subcommittee in HB 4447.  Next the funding bill HB 4447 will be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee and then on to the Senate for consideration.   HB 4447 also includes wording calling for a feasibility study of a “Great Start Strategic Fund”.  There are also ongoing discussions about consolidating several early childhood funding streams in a new Office of Early Learning (few details are available, including whether it would be in ECIC or Department of Education). 
            Lori shared 4C uncertainty about the professional development training and the child care information & referral contracts.  Michelle stated that the local GSCs have not yet been informed of any role in decision-making or input on what local contracts or the process looks like from ECIC.

Planning for next GSC meeting

            Lucy McClintic will serve as chair and Barb Monroe as timekeeper for the next Ingham GSC meeting on April 15^th.  It was suggested that we include time to discuss the Social Emotional Technical Assistance call topics (pyramid & booklet).  It was also discussed to include on the proposed Agenda updates on the Joint Recruitment flyer for free preschool programs, and the Lansing 150 Parade on 5/16/09.            Ken showed the flyer from the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition to purchase a $100 Brick to help support the Lansing Empowerment Center.  The Operations Committee recommended that the GSC purchase a brick with Ingham Great Start Collaborative inscribed.  A motion will be discussed and voted on at the GSC meeting on 4/15.
            Lucy talked about the problems with classrooms.  Head Start may be losing use of classrooms in Waverly, Grand Ledge and Lansing.  Head Start is in discussions to find other new space with school districts, charter & private schools, and churches.  6-8 classrooms might be lost in Lansing - and 13 region-wide.  Head Start is willing to pay fair market rent, possibly with stimulus money and expansion money.  They are looking for classrooms for now and for the future.  The most lost classrooms are in Lansing, and they are the hardest to find in the Lansing School District.  A related problem is where to store 13 classrooms’ equipment, since the current Head Start storage space is being converted to CACS winterization office staff under stimulus funding.  The logistics to shut down a classroom and then re-open elsewhere, even if other locations are found, is difficult (and it is disruptive for families and children).
            It was suggested to try and keep discussions at GSC meeting on what is new to report out from the workgroups on the 5 points of the Star.  It was suggested that in 4/15 GSC meeting announcement email, that members be asked to bring additional agency brochures to use in outreach events.

Consultant Contract

            The Operations Committee had authorized Michelle to increase Ken Sperber’s contract, if it was financially feasible, to cover some of the additional new work tasks he has taken on for the GSC.  These tasks were the result of additional requirements from the ECIC, additional connections to other committees, (such as COPAL Lead Coalition, Safe Kids, FIMR, and GLHRN) and additional work generated with the CRCF/CAUW grant projects.  Although there is funding available for a small increase in the performance contract, Michelle felt that it was not the appropriate time to bring a request forward.  It did not seem prudent to request the ISD administration and Board to increase consultant hours, when the ISD was dealing with personnel layoffs and budget cuts.  Ken and Michelle have met to discuss this and have agreed to instead try and look for other Operations Committee and GSC members to attend the meetings on behalf of the GSC.  Fran agreed to also represent the GSC at FIMR and Safe Sleep Coalition meetings.  Lucy agreed to try and attend (or send Head Start representative) to GLHRN (Greater Lansing Homeless Resolution Network).  OYC has agreed to cover Lead Coalition, but we are still missing GSC links to Safe Kids Coalition.

Other Announcements

            There may be an opportunity to bring Dr. Jack Shonkoff, the editor of the report "From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development" to Lansing.  Michelle is in discussions with other local GSCs and the ECIC to try and get joint sponsorship to bring him here in October 2009.  Dr. Shonkoff could talk about the foundations of brain development and implications for learning to a wide audience.  The Operations Committee endorsed the idea and hoped that we could invite school administrators, legislators, partner agencies, parents, and the early education and care community.  Ideally it would include both a lecture format and small group discussions.
            The Miles for Smiles 6K walk fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, April 18^th.  Michelle asked for Operations Committee members to join her in walking or sponsoring her walk.  Many corporate sponsors have stepped up, and Ingham GSC is one of the sponsors of the event.
            Stephanie just returned from a two week CMS continuous improvement and monitoring training for Early On because not all indicators had 100% compliance.  The Feds have set indicators that must be met at 100%, State outcome indicators can be less.  There are new public reporting requirements so will need to reserve time on future GSC meeting Agendas to share this information.

Next Operations Committee meeting May 7, 2009 at 1:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  Meeting adjourned 4:49 pm.

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Thursday April 2, 2009 from 2:30-4:30pm

at Ingham ISD, 2630 W Howell Rd, Mason 48854 (map)(Thorburn Education Center Rm#411)
PLEASE note we have changed location and time!

1)     ECIC Updates
   a) June 16 & 17 Tech Asst Conference at Boyne Mtn (4 invitees)
   b) Star Power Rally 5/21/2009

2)     Fund Mapping Project

3)     CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative
    a) Updates on Evaluation
    b) CRCF mini-expansion grants (4)

4)     Legislative Budget Updates (Matt Gillard mtg)

5)     Plan for GSC meeting on April 15th

    a)     Confirm Chair and Timekeeper (Lori and ?Jamie)
    b)    Discussion Social Emotional TA call (pyramid & booklet)
    c)     Also on GSC proposed Agenda –
         i)       Joint Recruitment flyer distribution
         ii)     Lansing 150 Parade 5/16/21
         iii)   GLHC- Brick $100 - Lansing Empowerment Center

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting NOTES Thursday March 5, 2009 1:30-3:30pm

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

Present: Lori Brasic, Fran Jozefowicz, Stephanie Peters, Lucy McClintic, Michelle Nicholson, Ken Sperber, Jamie Yeomans, Marissa Zamudio

ECIC Updates

The ECIC leadership team has been focusing on working with the State to keep State funding in early childhood.  There will be a telephone conference call on 3/18/09 with Matt Gillard to hear updates and how the budget process works and key times for advocacy.  On 3/19/09 there will be the Region 2 GSC Coordinators’ monthly phone conversation.  Dawn Mitzel has agreed to participate in ECIC conference calls about Star Power Rally representing Ingham GSC and Parent Coalition. 

Jamie stated that she is very upset by the proposed elimination of the GPGS program from the State budget ($5M).  Jamie has already written a letter to House Appropriations Sub-Committee on School Aid to explain the importance of GPGS. 

The Michigan House and Senate Appropriation Sub-Committees have not yet scheduled budget hearings that would deal with the cuts to GPGS.  Ken has collected a list of contacts of Michigan House and Senate Appropriations Sub-committees.  Ken and Jamie are developing versions of sample letters for parents and agency staff to write support for restoring the GPGS funding.  We will discuss more at the GSC meeting.

Ann Yost is working for ECIC to develop profiles of local GSCs.  Michelle shared the draft of the Ingham GSC profile.  It emphasized the public private partnerships that Ingham GSC has developed.  It included many quotes from the foundation partners and workgroup leaders.  It was suggested that we ask Ann to include some information about KEEP Social-Emotional Health Workgroup.  Michelle will follow-up with Ann to encourage her to contact Fran.

Fund Mapping Project progress

Michelle has been trying to contact Judi Brown Clarke about her progress with the
Fund Mapping Project, but has not yet received an update.  Even without a confirmation we will go ahead and reserve time for Judi at the next GSC meeting.  Lucy was able separate out the Social-Emotional component in Head Start budget and that new information was passed on to Judi.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative 

Yesterday Brad Patterson (CRCF) and Michelle made a presentation to REO Foundation to shore up their future commitments of $25k to the Youth Initiative with CAUW/CRCF.  Apparently the R.E. Olds Foundation attorney had concerns about return on their foundation investment. We are waiting to see if they will approve $25k for each of the next two years.  They seemed to appreciate our collaborative efforts working together on the GSC.  Brad also shared with Michelle that he has been soliciting funding from other foundations to support the GSC efforts.

Lori talked about working with OYC staff to get some testimonials and thank-you artwork and cards to forward on to the CRCF/CAUW grant sponsors to show appreciation for their efforts.

Priorities for CRCF mini expansion grants

The Quality Initiatives Workgroup has requested that we ask for $5-8k to coach more providers, purchase training and assessment materials and incentives.  The Parent Ed Workgroup has requested that we try and write two mini-grants to support Play & Learn groups for translators, transportation and other support services.  It was also suggested that the Home-Visitor and Play & Learn services could be improved if we had additional funding to provide the staffing capacity
to expand services. Lucy mentioned it would be important to purchase additional materials to go along with the Play & Learn groups to leave with families as follow thru take-home activities (toothbrushes, toothpaste, books, etc).

After discussion the Operations Committee recommended that we develop three expansion mini-grants for $5-8k each to submit to CRCF for funding. 

•  Play & Learn and Home Visitor follow-up materials (toothbrushes, toothpaste, books, Halo sleepers, and other support materials (SE wheels, dental wheels)
•  Play & Learn and Home Visitor support services such as translators, transportation, and additional Play & Learn groups and/or Home-visits
• Training and Mentoring supports such as additional units of coaching services, training materials, and incentives

These ideas will be brought forward to the GSC at the 3/11/09 meeting for review and possible approval.

Plan for GSC meeting on March 11th

Stephanie and Lori agreed to serve as Chair and Timekeeper for the 3/11 meeting.   Lucy thought it might be helpful to review Protective Factors and list programs in Ingham County that had made progress on 7 key program strategies.  Lucy offered to lead the discussion at the next GSC meeting.  Ken will find one-page summaries of the 5 protective factors and the 7 key program strategies in a format that Lucy can use to lead us thru the discussion. 

 It was suggested that the GSC Agenda also include time for the following topics:
- Fund Mapping - Judi Brown Clarke - preliminary report & feedback

- Update on the Head Start, GSRP, ECSE Joint Recruitment meeting (Sergio, Michelle, Stephanie, and Lucy).  It was agreed to format the Agenda so most of the discussions were clustered around the 6 goal areas.

Lansing 150 Celebration Parade

The Public Awareness Workgroup suggested we invite partner agencies and area preschools and child care programs to join us and march in the Lansing 150 Parade on 5/16/2009.  The deadline for applications to participate is April 10^th.  Parade participants are to be organized by the decades of Lansing’s 150 years.  Ken suggested that we invite all groups to create banners and decorate kids wagons and strollers with the theme – stars of the future – and apply to be the Decade of 2009 and beyond.  We will discuss more at the GSC meeting.

CMH Education Breakfast Event

Fran shared a flyer describing the CMH Education Breakfast Event to be held from 9-11am on 3/20/09 at the Lansing Center.  The event will include the presentation of the CEI-CMH Annual Report, Distinguished Service Awards, Comments by Deb Stabenow, and a Keynote Address Rhythm and Relationships:  A Holistic Approach to Youth Development Through Hip Hop Music Therapy.

Next Operations Committee meeting –
April 2, 2009 2:30-4:30pm at Ingham ISD Thorburn Ed Center Rm #411

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

AGENDA Thursday March 5, 2009 1:30-3:30pm

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

PLEASE note location, date and times for this meeting -
We are meeting back at BLC on our regular 1^st Thursday of month

AGENDA

1. ECIC Updates
   

2. Fund Mapping Project progress
   

3. CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative

   a) Updates on Evaluation and Initiative
   b) Priorities for CRCF mini expansion grants

4. Review Budget Updates and Impacts
   

5. Plan for GSC meeting on March 11th

   1. Confirm Chair and Timekeeper (Stephanie and Lori)

   2. Discussion on next steps for Protective Factors information

   3. GSC proposed Agenda –

      1. Fund Mapping - Judi Brown Clarke - preliminary report & feedback

      2. Update on Head Start, GSRP, ECSE Joint Recruitment

      3. Lansing 150 Parade and Parent Coalition

April 2, 2009 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Meeting Notes February 6, 2009 1:30-3:30pm

Grace United Methodist Church 1900 Boston Blvd 48911

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Stephanie Peters, Michelle Nicholson, Ken Sperber, Jamie Yeomans

ECIC Updates

The Protective Factors videoconference on 2/5/09 reviewed the 5 factors and discussed how current initiatives align with this system description. The five Protective Factors described included: Parental Resilience, Social Connection, Concrete Support in Times of Need, Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development, Social & Emotional Development of Children. Presenters and participants shared examples of how programs could be modified to ensure these elements are included in their programming.
Pediatric Home Medical Summit on 2/13/2009 has openings for interested participants. Registration info was shared with Stephanie and Ken will re-send to Lisa at Health Department.
February 20 we have a team registered with appropriate collaborative members. In discussion, it was mentioned again that DHS is really missed at the table and in planning events. Locally most of the GSCs are having difficulty getting local DHS staff to attend GSC meetings and activities. It was suggested that ECIC request Michigan DHS to instruct local DHS staff to work more closely with local GSCs.

Fund Mapping Project progress

Judi Brown Clarke has received the information Ingham GSC has collected. She will be at GSC meeting on 2/11/2009 for an hour and present data collected so far and ask some questions about missing information. She will write up a preliminary report and we will present to agency directors for their responses. It was suggested to convene a meeting for these agency directors scheduled before the PWC meeting (lunch and discussion). In March the PWC meeting will be on 3/20/2009. Michelle will talk with Judi to try and set up a focus group discussion with agency directors on 3/20/2009 before PWC, over lunch from 12:30-1:30pm.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates

Logic Model & Evaluation – Based on Bob Brown’s earlier work Jessica and Jason put together an outline of the logic model and measurement points. MN & KS attended PWC Investors Steering Committee to discuss Birth to Work Logic Models and highlight the work with Birth to Five.
As a follow-up Brad from CRCF said that Ingham GSC is eligible to apply for up to four more grant proposals for between $1-15k if we apply by April 1st. The Operations Committee discussed ideas such as interpreters for Play & Learn, more child care scholarships, Cavity Free curriculum training and materials, funds for Haven House shelter to support work in Play & Learn groups (toys and educational materials for families), and more media spots at theaters. Fran suggested we discuss at the GSC meeting and thru workgroups. Ideas could be forwarded on to Operations Committee for the next meeting on 3/5/2009. With additional clarification of funders priorities from CRCF the Operations Committee would prioritize the list for Ken and Michelle to write proposal before the deadline.

Performance Contracts

Michelle updated the committee on the current performance contracts (with MC, Jamie and Ken) and the additional workload generated by ECIC requirements and the CAUW/CRCF grants. Michelle explained that additional efforts are needed in business outreach. Ken and Jamie excused themselves from the meeting to permit the committee to discuss the performance contracts in more detail. After Committee discussion, Ken and Jamie were invited back into the room, and they were informed that the Committee had asked Michelle to clarify the amount of carryover funds, uncommitted funds in the GSC budget, and contract specifications. Michelle would then meet individually with MC, Jamie and Ken to discuss their performance contracts and possible contract amendments.

Plans for GSC meeting on Feb 11^th

The Committee reviewed the plans for the 2/11/2009 GSC meeting and a rough draft of the proposed Agenda. The Committee confirmed that Jamie will serve as the Chair and Stephanie as the Timekeeper. Michelle reported that Judi Brown Clarke from MSU has agreed to lead the Fund Mapping discussion from 1:30-2:30pm. It was also suggested we include time for reports on the Protective Factors Videoconference and the ECIC Parent Institute. During the Advisory Group updates Michelle said she would be discussing some of the proposed Ingham ISD program and staff cuts to balance the budget. Time was also reserved on the GSC Agenda for the Work Plan & Progress Reports, and announcements, if time allows.

Sensory Integration Workshop 2/13/2009

The Operations Committee discussed the professional development workshop on Sensory Integration scheduled for Friday 2/13/2009. Advanced registrations have grown to 84 but we have only budgeted for the costs of lunch for 75 participants. Although the workshop flyer stated the target audience is parents and professionals working with children birth to five several participants have signed-up who work with middle school and older age children or work outside of Ingham County. After discussion the Committee agreed to prioritize the pre-registration list to ensure that all participants serving children 0-5 in Ingham County received confirmations. The next priority would be given to those serving children 0-5 in the Capital Area. If budgeted space is available, then participants serving children 0-5 from more distant geographic areas would also be welcomed. Fran commented that Cindy Grider would be doing other Sensory Integration workshops during the year focused on school-age children. It was decided that those on the pre-registration list who serve older children would be informed that the 2/13/2009 workshop is focused on preschool issues and that they could be placed on a waiting list for future school-age focused workshops sponsored by CEI-CMH.
LaVera will contact those on the pre-registration list and confirm or re-direct them according to the priorities agreed upon by the Operations Committee. Ken and Jamie offered to help Barry with the sign-in and registration at the workshop. Ken is meeting with Barry to help setup the a-v equipment (laptop, VCR, projector, and cabling).

Family Friendly Facility Changes

Michelle offered to take Operation Committee members on a walk through of the Grace United Methodist Church to see the family friendly modifications made to the facility. The changes included an Infant Nursery area with Safe Sleep posters displayed, an appropriately outfitted port-a-crib, and gliding chairs for nursing moms (with sound piped in from the sanctuary). A change table was installed adjacent to a hand washing area. The last row of pews in the sanctuary was replaced with 6 glider chairs for parents to hold infants. Also in the sanctuary, a center half-row of pews was removed to create a barrier free space for wheel chairs, walkers or strollers. Michelle commented that although at first some long-time members of the church were resistant to the changes, now they are accepted by all, and are seen as useful improvements to help keep and attract members.

Next GSC Operations Committee meeting –
Thursday 3/5/2009 back at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Birth to Five, GSC
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

PLEASE note changes in location, date and times for this meeting!

AGENDA Friday February 6, 2009 1:30-3:30pm

at Grace United Methodist Church 1900 Boston Blvd 48911

2)     Fund Mapping Project progress
3)     CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation
4)     Review Contracts
5)     Plan for GSC meeting on Feb 11th
         a)     Confirm Chair and Timekeeper (Jamie and Stephanie)
         b)    Fund Mapping, focus group at meeting?
         c)     Reports on Protective Factors Videoconference and Parent Institute
         d)    GSC proposed Agenda – Work Plan & Progress Report - ECIC three bulleted points to be addressed:
                  i)       Status of Performance Measures
                  ii)     Rationale for Less Than Expected Performance
                  iii)    Unanticipated Successes

Next Operations Committee meeting –
Thursday 3/5/09 back at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

Meeting Notes: Friday January 9, 2009 1:45-3:45pm

838 Louisa Street Lansing

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Lori Brasic, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber, and Jamie Yeomans 

ECIC Updates

We have now received a calendar for the year from ECIC listing all report deadlines, GSC coordinator regional TA sessions and ECIC workshops. The events include:
1/15/09 - ECIC phone TA meeting - Parent Coalition guidelines, Budget& Work Plan forms
2/13/09 - Pediatric Medical Home Summit (but this is same day as the Ingham GSC sponsored Sensory Integration Workshop)
2/19/09 - ECIC phone TA meeting - topics to be announced
2/20/09 - ECIC Summit on Joint recruitment strategies GSRP, HS, LSD and IISD (Michelle, Deb Hill, Sergio, and Stephanie will attend) place and times to be announced
5/21/09 - ECIC Star Power Rally 10am
9/16-17/2009 ECIC Annual Conference Kellogg Center

ECIC has sent out an email explaining that it is reviewing the programs with Quality Initiatives funding. This includes the current contracts for child care referrals (4C), professional development training (MSUE and 4C), Child Care Expulsion Prevention projects (CMH), and TEACH (4C). The ECIC analysis and review of alternatives is to be completed in January 2009, ECIC will let out RFPs after January for new contracts to begin in March 2009.

Fund Mapping Project progress

Although we have information from several agencies, the big problem is that no information has been returned from DHS despite repeated requests. LaVera is working on putting data we have received in the ECIC spreadsheets. Mischele and Michelle are working on the local foundations funding piece, focusing on CAUW and CRCF. Michelle said the next steps are to contact MSU to have them begin collecting missing data and begin convening stakeholder focus group meetings. Operations Committee members talked about the sensitivity of the information collected. When the data is collected and a report ready, it was suggested that we might want to consider reporting some of the general findings at a Power of We Consortium meeting with members of public invited.

There was discussion about gaps in the information collected, and the problems because there is no consensus on data collection for young children and families (who, what and how it is collected). If we can reach agreement on what data to collect first, then we can develop a system to consistently collect that data. Using a systematic data collection approach would enable us to collect data that will be more accurate, reliable, and useful. Standards for data collection across agencies, with support and tech assistance would go a long way to help fund mapping and resource planning to be more productive.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation

The next meeting of the Logic Model and Evaluation workgroup is being scheduled to include the Power of We Consortium Investors Steering Committee, funders (CAUW & CRCF), Ken & Michelle, and the MSU evaluation team to share techniques for evaluation and the logic models. The framework that is being developed will not only impact on School Readiness but how it can be used as a foundational piece for the Birth to Work initiative and leading to a ready workforce.

Kids Data Book 2008 and 1/13/09 Event

Plans are coming together for the press event to announce the release of the Kids Count in Michigan 2008 data book. Ken has been working with Head Start, ICHD and the Michigan League for Human Services to plan an event that will include a State kickoff and feature Ingham County data as well.

The Press Conference will be on Tuesday January 13, 2009 at 10am at Maple Hill Head Start Center, 640 Maplehill Avenue. Lansing, MI 48910. Lucy has arranged for half the gym to be set aside, arranged with a podium and chairs, and decorated with kids’ artwork. There will be 3 speakers making short (5 minute max remarks), leaving lots of time for follow-up questions, and 1:1 interviews with speakers and other key people in the room, also photo-ops with kids in Head Start classrooms. The basic outline (at this point) looks like this –

• Jane Zehnder-Merrell leader for Kids Count in Michigan will introduce the Kids Count data book, and highlight what the data shows statewide;

• ECIC Board member Dave Hollister will make brief remarks (addressing the importance of focusing on families with young children and early childhood); and

• Renee Canady from Ingham Co Health Dept will talk about local initiatives to address infant mortality and other health issues
  

Plan for GSC meeting on 1/14/09

For the January GSC meeting Fran agreed to Chair and Jamie to serve as Timekeeper. Stephanie said she would be available to be in the rotation in February followed by Lori.

The Committee reviewed the Agenda topics including: Action Agenda revisions, and Agency Spotlight. Ken has confirmed with Sheri Eldred (March of Dimes), she will speak about new brochures, initiatives and mini-grant funds available thru the March of Dimes. Members agreed we should spend time on Action Agenda updates and discussion – but it was suggested that we reverse the Goal Area order of discussion, so that “Goal VI - Infrastructure” comes first.

Michelle reported that the Parenting Counts clips have been playing at NCG and Celebration Cinemas, and she has received good feedback. The Transit Ads and print materials have proven to be more complicated. There are ongoing issues about translations and copyright materials. Michelle will show the print ad versions we have at the GSC meeting.

There are updates about the Memos of Understanding (MOU). Michelle will bring revised versions of the MOUs to the GSC meeting.

Lori asked about participation in Food Movers, and raised the concern that we need to engage other GSC partner agencies in these rewarding efforts. There are not necessarily a lot of referrals from the efforts (in terms of big numbers) but we do reach families with lots of problems really needing assistance – many of whom are falling between the cracks (quality not quantity). It also helps build relationships with other agencies like Food Movers. Fran mentioned difficulty in finding the location for the northside Food Movers. Michelle has changed the schedule list to include better identification of the physical addresses. Fran also shared some of the benefits of participating – and mentioned that lots of the questions they fielded were of a more general nature. Lori volunteered to talk at GSC meeting about the advantages of agencies participating in Food Movers outreach sessions. We will include this discussion in the Infrastructure section of the GSC meeting when the schedule is circulating for agency sign-ups.

Calendar Changes

The next Operations Committee meeting has been changed to Friday 2/6/2009 at Hannah Community Center to avoid a conflict with the Protective Factors video conference. The ECIC sponsored Protective Factors video conference will be at the Eaton ISD in Charlotte from 12:30-4pm on Thursday 2/5/09. Ken will send out an email reminder for the Protective Factors video conference with the link to register on-line and four handouts as attachments.

The Operations Committee will meet in March on 3/5/2009 at 1:30pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and in April on 4/2/2009 at 2:30pm at the Ingham ISD in Mason. Due to the school districts’ spring break the Ingham GSC meeting in April will be moved from 4/8 to 4/15/2009. This rescheduled GSC meeting will begin at the usual time of 1pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope in Lansing.

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

AGENDA  Friday January 9, 2009 1:45-3:45pm

838 Louisa Street Lansing

1. ECIC Updates
   

2. Fund Mapping Project progress
   

3. CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation
   

4. Kids Data Book 2008 and 1/13/09 Event
   

5. Plan for GSC meeting on 1/14/09

   1. Identify Chair and Timekeeper (Fran and Stephanie or Jamie?)

   2. Review Agenda topics including: Action Agenda revisions, and Agency Spotlight (March of Dimes), Website updates (Calendar workgroup mtgs)

   3. GSC proposed Agenda (including process for Action Agenda presentation & discussion) – reverse Goal Area order (VI- Infrastructure first)
      

6. Next Operations Committee meeting Thursday 2/5/09 back at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
   

The Operations Committee generally meets on the first Thursday of each month at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Birth to Five, Ingham Great Start Collaborative
Operations Committee

Meeting Notes: Thursday December 4, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

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

ECIC Updates - TA & Early Childhood Challenge

            All Operations Committee members were at the Early Childhood Challenge except Stephanie (and Michelle already filled her in), so reporting on the Conference was skipped at this point in the Agenda.  (It was discussed later in the meeting as we planned the 12/10/08 GSC meeting Agenda).

            Marissa Zamudio the new ECIC TA Consultant for our region will be at the GSC meeting, and we will ask her to do ECIC updates, Michelle said she would confirm.

            The ECIC External Advisory Committee will be scheduling a series of topical summits.  The first will be on Feb 4^th or 5^th for Parents on Protective factors, Feb 13 – 15 on Medical Homes, and in the Spring on joint recruitment and coordination of services for GSRP and Head Start programs.  Fran pointed out the February session will conflict with the regional workshop by CANEY on 2/4/09 from noon -1:30pm called “Walking the Line – Parents, Children and Domestic Violence”.

            The ECIC will be holding a Parent Leadership Institute on Jan 29 & 30^th  (the same dates as the MI Collaborative Conference).  The ECIC has announced that the Star Power Rally will be on 5/21/2009, and there will be webinars in advance about meeting with legislators.    Michelle reported that the Ingham GSC Contract has been approved and signed.

Fund Mapping Project

            Michelle reported that all the questionnaires have been distributed to agencies, but zero  have been returned completed.  Barb said OYC is awaiting final approval to return it, and Fran said the CMH sheets are almost done.  Stephanie said the ECSE and EO sheets are at the Ingham ISD Business Office.  Michelle will discuss status at the GSC meeting.
            Ken shared summary of highlights of ECIC conference call on 12/4/08 about Fund Mapping and Financing Strategies.  The purpose of the meeting was for The Finance Project staff to share with Michigan Great Start Collaboratives the successes that other States have had in using the fund mapping reports to lay the foundation for better financing for early childhood programs. 
            In the area of advocacy several States have begun using the fund mapping information as the basis for a “Children’s Budget” that is developed and released annually or every two years.  The Children’s Budget tracks funding spending and changes, highlighting gaps in funding (eg. Baltimore Safe & Sound).   Some States have used the fund mapping study to track the amounts of funding for key indicator areas (such as infant mortality) and issue a “Children’s Report Card”.   Others have used the fund mapping data to create a Business Plan for Investing in Early Childhood (eg. Polk County Iowa).
            The Finance Project staff also described funding models for State level financing for early childhood.  These included four main strategies:
1) appropriation of general funds (eg. NC Smart Start $200m)
2) folding of preschool funds into k-12 funding (11 States and DC do this, half for universal preschool and half for targeted at-risk children)
3) State Lottery (Georgia created new stream of EC funding at $300m/year)
4) excise taxes on alcohol or tobacco (AZ added 50 cent per pack cigarette tax to generate $150m/year
            In discussion Mike Foley commented that strategy #2 might be the most promising avenue to pursue in Michigan.  The Finance Project staff also shared a variety of finance reform strategies and examples related to existing fund streams such as: better use of existing resources, maximizing Federal and State dollars, more flexibility in existing categorical funding, and new public-private partnerships. Mike offered to survey the GSCs to catalog some best practices in these areas. The Finance Project staff commented that although finance reforms strategies are helpful to create some funding for early childhood programs, what is really needed to be successful is a substantial stream of new and ongoing funding for early childhood programs.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation

            We had additional meeting with the MSU evaluators to discuss activities and logic model. Another meeting is tentatively scheduled for 12/17/08.

Plan for GSC meeting on 12/10/08

            The Committee reviewed the Agenda for the next GSC meeting.  Lucy is in the rotation to be chair for the next GSC meeting, and Fran volunteered to be timekeeper.    It was suggested that we include a section for the Early Childhood Challenge with charts of the ECIC Great Start Blueprint.  There was agreement that it would be helpful to refer to the Strategic Priorities in the ECIC Great Start Blueprint, when the Ingham GSC does Action Agenda updates to see that we are in synch.  Ken will work on separating out the four Strategic Priorities groupings out of the Blueprint document for use at the GSC meeting. 
            The Agency Spotlight for the December meeting will be Tiffany Doolittle sharing the ICHD program called “House Calls”.  The March of Dimes is confirmed for the Agency Spotlight at the 1/14/09 GSC meeting.  For the Website updates section Ken will review the Calendar focusing on any changes in December and January workgroup meeting dates or times.
The biggest part of the GSC meeting agenda will be reserved for a discussion of updates on the action Agenda.  Fran suggested that the Agenda include the list of the six Goal Areas, and each GSC work group listed by the appropriate Goal Area to help the discussion stay focused.

Next Operations Committee meeting date

            Since the 1^st Thursday in January is New Year’s Day, the Committee discussed meeting on an alternate date. It was decided to meet on January 9, 2009 at 1:45pm at CMH on 838 Louisa in Lansing.  An email reminder will go out prior to the meeting and include more details on the meeting room location.

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

AGENDA Thursday December 4, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

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

1)     ECIC Updates - TA & Early Childhood Challenge
2)     Fund Mapping Project progress
3)     CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation
4)     Plan for GSC meeting on 12/10/08
      a)     Identify Chair and Timekeeper (Lucy and ?)
      b)    Review Agenda topics including: Action Agenda revisions, and Agency Spotlight (March of Dimes, ICHD House Calls?), Website updates (Calendar, Other Resource links)
      c)     GSC proposed Agenda (including process for Action Agenda presentation & discussion)
5)     Next Operations Committee meeting date (1^st Thursday in January is New Year’s Day, maybe meet 1/8 or alternate date?)

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

Meeting Notes - Thursday November 6, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

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

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Lucy McClintic, Barb Monroe, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber, Jamie Yeomans

ECIC Updates

          The Governor’s Early Childhood Challenge will be held on 11/18/08 at the Lansing Center.  On 12/3/08 there will be an ECIC regional TA session.  Final FY08 expense reports are due this month, and it looks like there will be a small carryover of funds.

Fund Mapping Project progress

            All the questionnaire forms were emailed out to the local agencies, with a return deadline date of 12/10/08.  The largest sources of funds are in Ingham DHS, and Michelle has been trying to get someone to commit to fill out the DHS fund mapping forms.  No forms have been returned so far.  Lucy shared some concerns that she is hearing from agency staff - that they are reluctant to identify their current funding dollars fearing that it would make them easier targets for funding cuts.  Stephanie and Barb shared the difficulty in collecting the requested data in their agencies, and the great deal of time and effort it will take to get this fund mapping done.
            There was also some discussion about the arbitrary way the funds were allocated across the 5 component areas.  Lucy, for example, pointed out her Head Start budget includes 7 full-time Mental Health Consultants and that it didn’t seem right to categorize Head Start funding as 100% in early education and care, and 0% in Social Emotional Health.  There was agreement that where local percentages could be calculated accurately, it would be better to split the fund percentages rather than use the State allocation numbers.
            Concerns were also raised that for many funding streams there is little or no data that indicated the ages of children served.  Examples were given for CACS Weatherization Program and CMH DD Respite Care where the ages of the children in the families served is not readily available, and therefore the percentages of families served with preschool age children will be just a shot in the dark.
            It still seems some agency staff think that this fund mapping project has the potential to do more harm than good, or at least may not be worth all the effort.  It was pointed out that the biggest chunk of funding is in DHS, and if we can get accurate information from there that maybe indeed we can see some economies of scale and effectiveness in blending of funding.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation

            As we get into planning services to be delivered under the CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative the need for administrative services to deliver some of the units of services is becoming more clear.  The Op Committee discussed the idea of capping administrative costs included in sub-contracts to a fixed amount.  Lucy shared that Head Start caps the administrative part of their grants at 5%, Fran shared that CMH usually asks for 12%, and Barb said that OYC asks for 10% (and Ken added plus an indirect rate of up to 18%).  Stephanie said that the Ingham ISD also charges between 6-8% for administrative costs on many of their grants.  Michelle suggested that some costs like copy and printing could be done by IISD using GSC funds and not charged to the CAUW/CRCF grant, and some expenses could be absorbed as in-kind donations by the partner agencies.  Michelle suggested that we approve a limit of up to 10% on administrative costs for sub-contracts.  The Op Committee unanimously recommended that the GSC approve this policy for service delivery sub-contracts funded by the CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative grant where administrative costs are necessary.
            Ken and Michelle shared three portions of the Logic Model being developed to help identify measurement points for evaluating key activities in the CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative and connecting it to the Birth to Work grant proposal.  The logic model charts are now posted at the GSC website and will be shared at the GSC meeting on 11/12.  These three documents can be downloaded by clicking on the following links:
Birth to Work Logic Model
Child and Family Outcomes
Logic Model Birth to Five, Individual Outcomes

Ingham Children’s Action Agenda 2009 revisions (due 11/30/08)

            Ken and Michelle reviewed the proposed changes and revisions for the FY09 Children’s Action Agenda.  Most of the suggested changes are only slight shifts in emphasis, and increased focus on grant funded activities, none of the Goals or Objectives have been changed.  It was suggested that we email the revised document to the GSC and ask them to read through the document before coming to the GSC meeting on 11/12.  The Op Committee suggested that we reserve time at the 11/12 meeting to review the changes in small groups. Although we have been asked to submit a revised version of the Action Agenda to ECIC by the deadline 11/30/08, we can go back and change it at any time. The Operations Committee reviewed the revised Action Agenda and approved it with some changes. The full GSC will be asked to vote on approval of this version of the revised Action Agenda at the meeting on Wednesday 11/12 in order to submit to the ECIC by the deadline.  The FY09 revised Agenda can be downloaded and viewed by following this link to the GSC website:
http://www.cacvoices.org/organizations/birthtofive/minutes/FY09Act

Plans for GSC meeting on 11/12/08

            Since Lori was the timekeeper at the last GSC meeting, she was designated as the chairperson for the GSC meeting on 11/12.   Lucy agreed to serve as the timekeeper for the 11/12 meeting, and chair the following GSC meeting on 12/10/08.  The Op Committee reviewed the proposed Agenda for the 11/12 meeting and offered suggestions.  It was suggested the proposed revisions to the FY09 Action Agenda be emailed to the GSC with the upcoming Agenda, and that part of the meeting be spent discussing this in small groups.  Op Committee members volunteered to take the lead in these discussions at the 11/12 meeting.

Next Operations Committee meeting

            The Op Committee confirmed that they want to continue to have their meetings on the first Thursday of each month at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Free child care will be offered on-site by the Family Growth Center.  The next Op Committee meeting will be on Thursday 12/4 at 1:30pm at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

AGENDA Thursday November 6, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

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

1)     ECIC Updates
2)     Fund Mapping Project progress
3)     CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - updates, Logic Model & Evaluation
4)     Ingham Children’s Action Agenda 2009 revisions (due 11/30/08)
5)     Plan for GSC meeting on 10/8/08
     a)    Identify Chair and Timekeeper (Lori and ?)
     b)    Review Agenda topics including: Action Agenda revisions, and Agency Spotlight (Safe Kids Coalition), Website updates (Calendar, Search feature)
     c)    GSC proposed Agenda (including process for Action Agenda presentation & discussion)
6)     Next Operations Committee meeting Thursday 12/4 again at BLC

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

Meeting Notes - October 3, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at Ingham ISD, 2630 West Howell Rd, Mason 48854 (IISD Thorburn Ed Ctr)

ECIC Updates - TA Sessions Sept 24 & 25

            Michelle reported that Alissa Parks will be taking Joan Blough’s old position at ECIC as TA Coordinator.  Joan is in a new role as VP of Planning and Evaluation.  All 57 ISDs will be funded for local GSCs starting in January 2009.  There are now 4 phases or waves of GSC participants. Phase 1 GSCs are the originals (including Ingham GSC), Phase 2 GSCs are those funded in Spring of 2008, Phase 3GSCs includes those funded beginning in October 2008, and Phase 4 includes the last 7 GSCs to be added in January 2009.
            Michelle described an interesting program from Oakland County, Early Learning Communities, which includes neighborhood hubs, training coaching and playgroups for child care providers.  Michelle also shared info about the Kent County Family, Friend and Neighbor Project, and a pilot Kindergarten entry assessment they are working on.  Michelle will find out more details and share the materials with the Operations Committee and other GSC workgroups.
            At the TA Session there was a workshop on Open Space Technology, which is a process where the group sets the Agenda, and persons invested in set topics convene the group discussions.  This system avoids time limits and fixed agendas and members.
            Michelle reported that the ECIC will approve Contract Amendments to carry-over unspent funds in GSC budgets.  ECIC asked for additional details on the Contracted Services line-item in the Ingham GSC proposed 0809 Budget (Michelle provided the requested details, and the 08-09 GSC Budget has been approved by ECIC).

Membership - Letters of Commitment (DHS, Courts, CAPS)

            Ken followed up with Rachel at CAPS and Kathy at FGC, but still no letter has been received from Jim at Child & Family Services.  Michelle is trying to follow up with DHS and the Courts.

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - Contract and Status

           Contracts have been signed with the funders, and the first half of the funds ($112k) has been requested.  The Ingham ISD Business Office has set up account codes for the subcontracts that will be arranged through Letters of Understanding.  Michelle is working to finalize the showing of customized Parenting Counts spots at the NCG and Celebration Cinemas for November, December and January (prime times during holidays for family viewing). 

Finance Project

            Michelle reviewed the overall plan for data collection for the ECIC Fund Mapping Project.  Fran shared her experiences from participating in the process with Eaton GSC.  Michelle will be asking Ronda Rucker for the questionnaire form that Eaton GSC used in their data collection process.  Michelle has invited Mike Foley from ECIC and Judy Brown Clarke from MSU to attend the next GSC meeting to talk about the Fund Mapping Project.

Plan for GSC meeting on 10/8/08

           Jamie agreed to chair the next GSC meeting and Lori agreed to serve as Timekeeper.  It was decided to dedicate most of the meeting time to the Fund Mapping Project.  The time slots on the Agenda were changed to have the Fund Mapping use about the first hour of the meeting.  It also was discussed that if the Agency Spotlight group (tentatively Safe Kids Coalition) did not appear then the additional meeting time could be spent on Action Agenda updates.

Next Operations Committee meeting

            The Operations Committee discussed having their next meeting on Friday 11/7 at CMH on Louisa Street. {But the plans have since changed.  The next Operations Committee meeting will actually be on Thursday November 6, 2008 at 1:30pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910, and on-site child care will be offered through the Family Growth Center. Beginning in November 2008 the Operations Committee will regularly meet on the first Thursday of each month at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 starting at 1:30pm.}

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

AGENDA October 3, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at Ingham ISD, 2630 West Howell Rd, Mason 48854 (IISD Thorburn Ed Ctr)

1)     ECIC Updates - TA Sessions Sept 24 & 25
2)     Finance Project
3)     Membership - Letters of Commitment (DHS, Courts, CAPS)
4)     CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - contract and status
5)     Plan for GSC meeting on 10/8/08
     a)     Identify Chair and Timekeeper (Jamie and ?)
     b)    Review Agenda topics including: Finance Project, and Agency Spotlight
6)     Next Operations Committee meeting 11/7 - PLACE ?

The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month
The next Operations Committee Meeting will be on 11/7/08 at 1:30pm

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

Meeting NOTES 9/5/2008

CAUW/CRCF Youth Initiative - Press Conference

GSC Communication Plan

GSC Membership

Tentative Plans for Year End Review

Plan for GSC meeting on 9/10/08

Agency Focus Spotlight

Next Operations Committee Meetings

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

AGENDA 9/5/2008

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

NOTES August 1, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

Present: Lori Brasic, Fran Jozefowicz, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, MC Rothhorn, Ken Sperber

CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal updates

            The Capital Region Community Foundation Board reviewed the Youth Initiative RFP at their meeting on 7/22/08.  The overall response was positive and Ken & Michelle will be meeting with Brad Patterson (CRCF) and Sharon Granger (CAUW) next week to follow-up and agree on the next steps.  After the meeting we will have a better understanding of the total dollar amount committed for each of two years and the timing for the release of the funds.

Review 2009 Work Plan and 2009 Budget

            The proposed 2009 Work Plan was reviewed by the Committee.  Most of the items were similar to items in last year’s work plan.  Additional activities were added to address new items in the ECIC Performance Measures.  After discussion, the Operations Committee voted to support the 2009 Work Plan and recommend that the GSC approve it at the GSC meeting on 8/13/08.
            Michelle shared a draft of the proposed GSC budget for 2009 using ECIC funds totaling $165,000.  This budget has a slight increase ($5,000) compared to the 2008 budget.  The ECIC requires at least a $10,000 line-item be included in the budget for Parent Support. The proposed budget included salaries for parts of IISD staff (Michelle, clerical and Finance Services staff) in the amount of $42,762 (plus 14,967 for fringe benefits).  The initial budget proposed by Michelle included $80,000 for contract services (including performance contracts with Ken Sperber, MC Rothhorn, Yvonne Phillips, MSU and $4,000 TBD (To Be Determined at a later date).
           MC Rothhorn and Ken Sperber excused themselves from the meeting to allow the Operations Committee to discuss the contracted services portion of the budget in greater detail, without any appearance of conflict of interest.  When they returned Fran complimented MC and Ken for all their efforts and work on behalf of the GSC.  Fran reported that the Committee was going to recommend that the contracted services for Ken and MC be continued at the current rates for the time being.  Fran stated that the Committee intends to review the performance contracts with MC and Ken in the Fall for possible amendment to include additional funding.  This wait and see approach will enable the Operations Committee to review the financial and work situation after the new IISD staff is in place, and the Youth Initiative project funding is in place.
          Fran also reported that, while Ken and MC were excused from the meeting, the Operations Committee recommended changing the proposed budget to decrease the performance contract with the faith liaison by $5,000 and place those funds in the TBD line-item to allow greater flexibility in the use of the contracted service funds. 
          There was discussion about the way honorariums, mileage, and child care reimbursements are provided to parent participants in the Parent Coalition, GSC meetings and workgroups.  MC will be developing Letters of Commitment for parent participants to clarify expectations and responsibilities. There was consensus to also encourage Jaime to serve as a paid Parent Liaison, working with MC, utilizing Parent Support funds.  The Operations Committee agreed to change the proposed budget to include the costs for a cellphone ($720/year) for Michelle to use.  Up until now Michelle has been using her personal cellphone for GSC business, and the extra minutes have been adding up.
          Michelle agreed to make all the changes in the proposed budget as recommended by the Operations Committee.  Ken will email the proposed 2009 Work Plan and revised proposed budget to the GSC so it can be considered and voted on at the 8/13/08 meeting.  The 2009 Work Plan and Budget must be submitted to the ECIC by 8/15/08. 

Status on Letters of Commitment

            Michelle reviewed the Letters of Commitment received so far (Stockbridge, CAUW, and MSU) and those “in the mail” (LCC, ICHD, CMH).   The Committee members offered to help re-contact the other organizations to remind them about the need for the Letters.  Ken will re-send the email with the Letters of Commitment explanation and sample Letters to the Operations Committee members so that they can use it in their follow-ups.

Plan for GSC meeting on 8/13/08

            The Committee chose to have Fran Chair, and Stephanie serve as Timekeeper for the GSC meeting on 8/13/08.  The proposed meeting Agenda was reviewed including updates about co-sponsoring the League of Women Voters registration events in September, and approval of the 2009 Work Plan & Budget.
            The Action Agenda portion of the meeting will be used to review and chart progress year to date.  For the Agency spotlight it was agreed to invite Keri Keck to talk about the Teen Parent Network.  It was suggested that future community spotlights include CATA Transportation (highlighting the upcoming November millage), and the March of Dimes (featuring their many publications and resources), and Stephanie offered to contact a member of the Safe Kids Coalition (car seat safety).

Next meetings

           The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month.  Several members spoke about the difficulty of traveling to the meetings on the north side of Lansing.  Lori passed on the request from OYC to use speakerphones for conference calls at the GSC meetings, Operations Committee, and other workgroup meetings.  Michelle responded that would involve considerable expense since many of the meeting facilities do not have the equipment or phone line capabilities for conference calls.  It was suggested that alternately the future Operations Committee meetings could be held at different member sites on a rotating basis.  It was decided the next Operations Committee Meeting will be on 9/5/08 at 1:30pm at the Human Services Building, 5303 S Cedar Lansing.  {Lori has reserved the Administration Conference Room in the Ingham County Health Department for the meeting on 9/5/08}.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Operations Committee Meeting Notes - June 30, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

Present: Lori Brasic, Fran Jozefowicz, Lucy McClintic, Stephanie Peters, MC Rothhorn, Ken Sperber, Marcia Rysztak, Beany Tomber and Jamie Yeomans 

CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal updates

            Ken & Michelle will be meeting with Brad Patterson (CRCF) and Sharon Granger (CAUW) on 7/8/08 to share the latest versions of the RFP charts, budgets, and narratives.  A lot of the narrative in this draft is based on materials written for the GSC Strategic Plan and other previous grant applications.  The funders will be reviewing the written materials and letting us know what additional content or directions need to be developed.

ECIC updates from Petoskey TA session

            Michelle, Jaime, and MC attended the ECIC Quarterly Technical Assistance sessions in Petoskey on 6/24 and 6/25.  MC and Jaime shared their impressions from the TA sessions.  In their opinion many of the local GSC and Parent Coalitions are experiencing problems that are not really issues in the Ingham GSC.  MC and Jaime expressed that they felt that the parents in the Ingham GSC were included in the GSC workgroups and decision-making, and that the Parent Coalition was supported by the local GSC.  The parent involvement in other local GSCs appeared to be different.  Jaime said she felt thankful that our community agencies, the Ingham ISD, and parents were all working together so well.
            It was reported that the FY 2009 GSC Grant Application, Budget and supporting documents have to be submitted to the ECIC by 8/15/08.  The Ingham GSC budget allocation has been increased by $5,000 to a total of $165,000 for FY 2009.  At least $10,000 of this funding has to be reserved for Parent Coalition.  The Ingham GSC, and many other local GSCs have been given a six-month extension to complete the Finance Project activities. 
            The ECIC is requiring that the members on the local GSCs must include the directors or CEOs of the human service agencies.  According to ECIC the directors may send delegates or designees to the regular GSC meetings on their behalf, but the ECIC is requiring that the directors personally attend at least two meetings per year.  There was discussion on the best way to meet the intent of this ECIC requirement, given practical realities of the time demands of the agency directors.  Members pointed out that the issue is compounded by the fact that many of the GSC agencies serve multiple counties.  In Ingham County the local GSC Birth to Five is a Sub-Committee of the Power of We Consortium (the multi-purpose collaborative body).  Since the Power of We Consortium (POWC) meetings are attended by the agency directors is was agreed that the GSC would meet with the Directors by providing presentations at the POWC at least twice a year, as well as encouraging the agency directors to attend other GSC meetings during the year.

Plan for GSC meeting on 7/9/08

            Lori and Fran offered to serve as Chairperson and Timekeeper for the GSC meeting on 7/9/08.  It was agreed that the business part of the GSC meeting should include: GSC Coordinator Report & ECIC updates (Michelle); information on the 2009 GSC Allocation and Grant Application; a review of GSC member requirements and Letters of Commitment; updates on the ECIC technical assistance sessions with the Parent Coalitions (MC & Jaime); and the latest on the Federal Grant Application for Home Visitation (Lisa).

            Ken reported that he had tried to invite the Capital Area Safe Kids Coalition at Sparrow Hospital to present information on car seat safety as the featured agency spotlight for the 7/9/08 GSC meeting.  In case Safe Kids does not agree to present, Ken asked for other suggestions form the group.  It was suggested that we invite a representative form Immigrant and Refugee Resource Coalition for the 7/9/08 meeting, and if they are not available then we should use the time to discuss with other GSC members ideas of other agencies to present at GSC meetings in the coming months.

Unassigned RFP chart activities

            Ken reviewed the RFP charts and the GSC workgroups agendas and noticed that there are two projects in the RFP charts that are not being discussed in any workgroup.  The areas of Oral/Dental, and Child Care Scholarships are currently not assigned to any workgroup for the development of implementation strategies.  It was suggested that they could be worked on in the Operations Committee, but after discussion the consensus was that it would be more appropriate to assign the task to another workgroup since the Operations Committee will be reviewing the overall CAUW/CRCF project and budget.  It was decided to ask the Parent Education Committee to work on the Oral/Dental component, and ask the Quality Initiatives workgroup if they would be willing to work on the Child Care Scholarship component.

The next Operations Committee Meeting will be on August 1, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.

Birth to Five, GSC
Operations Committee

AGENDA June 30,2008

at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

1)     CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal updates

2)     ECIC updates from Petoskey TA session (Finance Project, 2009 Grant Application)

3)     Plan for GSC meeting on 7/9/08

a)     Identify Chair and Timekeeper (Lori, and ?)

b)    Review Agenda topics including: RFP updates, Federal Grant Application for Home Visitor Programs, Organizing Statements, and Letters of Commitment

c)     Agency Focus/Spotlight - any suggestions?

4)     Unassigned RFP chart activities (Oral/Dental, Scholarships)

5)     Review Action Agenda progress

6)     Other items or announcements

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on August 1, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes - June 6, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

Present: Lori Brasic, Barry Kaufman, Lucy McClintic, Stephanie Peters, Michelle Nicholson, MC Rothhorn, Ken Sperber, Beany Tomber and Jamie Yeomans

CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal Updates

In a conference call on 6/4/08 Ken Sperber and Michelle Nicholson 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.  We 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

Plans for Orientation meeting on 6/11

Ken and Michelle reviewed plans for the new member GSC Orientation meeting. Nineteen people were invited, and 7 (including Ken, Michelle & MC) have confirmed attendance.  We will continue having these Orientation meetings quarterly with the next meeting on September 10, 2008. It was suggested that all Operations Committee members receive copies of the Orientation notebook, so that if new members join us in the next couple of months, they can be informally orient them and not just wait for the next meeting in September.

Plans for GSC meeting on 6/11/08

MC agreed to chair the next GSC meeting and Lori agreed to serve as timekeeper. The Committee reviewed the proposed Agenda and topics. We will go back to the format of asking for updates for each Goal Area in the Action Agenda.  It was suggested that for the Part III – Action Agenda, Building Links section the featured Agency/Programs be used for viewing the video clip and discussion of the PBS series “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? Part 2 “When the Bough Breaks”.   Ken and Beany will try and acquire the video clip and Michelle will contact Lisa Chambers to see if she will lead the discussion.

Others Items

Michelle mentioned that Cheri 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 become Joan Blough.

There is an opportunity to apply for a Federal grant to improve Home Visor programs in our area.  The Committee discussed the advantages of funding a project to support programs like Early Head Start/Head Start, Jump Start/PHN, Great Parents Great Start, Early On, CAPS, and CMH home visitors.  The application is due July 21, 2008 so the Committee agreed to place the topic on the GSC Agenda for discussion on 6/11/08.

Lori mentioned that she is on a listserve thru the 211 regional call center that may be helpful for publicizing community events. Email blast requests may be sent to 211@lifewaysmco.com

Due to the July 4^th Holiday, an alternate for the next Operations Committee meeting was set for Monday June 30th from 9:30-11:30am at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA June 6, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

1)     CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal
    a)     Updates from discussions with Funders
    b)    Discussion of next steps

2)     Plans for GSC Orientation meeting on 6/11 at 11am

3)     Plan for GSC meeting on 6/11/08
    a)     Identify Chair and Timekeeper (MC, Lori?)
    b)    Review Agenda topics including: RFP next steps, updates
    c)     Report on Star Power Rally 5/21/08
    d)    Agency focus (EVE, Tomorrow’s Child Grief Support, Care Seat Safety, others?)
    e)     Early On Annual Report

4)     Finance Project updates and Work Plan Revisions

5)     Set next Operations Committee meeting date (alternates for July 4^th  - 6/30 or 7/31am)

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes- May 2, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow, Lansing MI

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Barry Kaufman, Lucy McClintic, Stephanie Peters, Michelle Nicholson, MC Rothhorn, Marcia Rysztak, Ken Sperber, Beany Tomber and Jamie Yeomans

The Operations Committee members welcomed the GSC workgroup leaders to this expanded Operations Committee meeting.

CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal

            Michelle reviewed the RFP budget and explained the amounts of funds that were already committed and the amount of money that was available for new projects.

$225,000 Full grant amount

-20,000 Imagination Libraries Clinton & Eaton Counties (requested by funder)
$205,000

-21,333 Matched funds for ECIC Investment Fund
$183,667

-17,281 Ingham ISD Indirect Costs (at rate of 8.43%)
$166,386

Each of the workgroup leaders presented the proposals that their committees were recommending and the group discussed the projects.  The proposed project components included Parent Education and Family Support through home-visits and play & learn sessions; Early Literacy events and activities; expansion of Imagination Library in Clinton and Eaton Counties; Dental/Oral Health training and activities; Early Education and Care scholarship/subsidies; Professional Development for caregivers through training and coaching; improvements in Social-Emotional Health through training, multi-disciplinary consultation teams and use of a gap fund; and Public Awareness efforts using the media to promote the importance of investing in early childhood.

Even though the total cost of all the projects presented was more than the available funds, Ken and Michelle agreed to bring all the proposals to their meeting with the funders on Tuesday 5/6/08.  To assist with the presentation of all these projects to the funders each workgroup leader was asked to complete a chart for their component area. 

Project Component Name:

Outcomes:

Michelle cautioned the group that even though we would be presenting each of the component area charts (including the budget ranges) to the funders on Tuesday, the funders still had the prerogative to decide which projects to fund or decline to fund, and their relative funding priorities.  After the meeting with the funders Ken and Michelle will be reporting back to the Operations Committee and the GSC Workgroup leaders.  An email will go out to all the GSC members with the latest version of the charts before the GSC meeting on 5/14/08.

Plan for GSC meeting on 5/14/08

The main focus of the GSC meeting on 5/14/08 will be the consideration of the RFP component area charts.   It was agreed to set up the Agenda to allow sufficient time for discussion and approval of the component area charts.  Lucy agreed to Chair the 5/14 GSC meeting, and MC agreed to serve as Time Keeper.  The Lead Coalition has been invited for the agency spotlight portion of the Agenda.  The members suggested that future spotlight agencies might include car seat safety and the Finance Project. Stephanie requested that time be set aside in the June GSC meeting for the Early On Grant Application review and approval.  The Operations Committee reviewed and approved the proposed Agenda for the 5/14 meeting. 

Revisions to the GSC Workplan

Michelle reviewed the Finance Project, and the expectations written into the Ingham GSC 8-month workplan.  Much of the GSC time lately has been focused on the deliberations and consensus building process to respond to the CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal.  This shift in priorities, due to this exciting and challenging RFP opportunity, has meant that the timeline for working through the Finance Project activities has moved back.  In addition, we are still awaiting clarification from the State as to what data is readily available broken out County by County. After discussion, the Operations Committee voted to recommend that the Ingham GSC approve a change in the 8-month Workplan by pushing back the Finance Project activities an additional three months.

Operations Committee Members

The Operations Committee extended an invitation to each of the workgroup leaders to join the Operations Committee on a regular basis.  This would help with continuing discussions on the CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal, as well as the implementation of the Action Agenda.  To increase parent representation Michelle also asked MC to invite another member of the Parent Coalition to join us at the Operation Committee meetings.  The next Operations Committee Meeting will be on June 6, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing. 

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA May 2, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

1)     CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal

   a)     Recommendations from Workgroups
   b)     Discussion of recommendations

2)     Invite additional Operations Committee members (Workgroup leaders)

3)     Plan for GSC meeting on 5/14/08

   a)     Identify Chair and Timekeeper
   b)     Review Agenda topics including: RFP Priorities,
   c)     Star Power Rally 5/21/08
   d)     Lead Coalition

4)     Finance Project and Work Plan Revisions

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on June 6, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes  April 4, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

101 E Willow, Lansing

Present: Stephanie Peters, Michelle Nicholson, Sharlina Pye-Mack, and Ken Sperber

CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal

            Ken and Michelle shared a one-page summary of the CRCF & CAUW Request for Proposal (RFP) and answered questions based on their meeting with Sharon Granger (Capital Area United Way) and Brad Patterson (Capital Regional Community Foundation).  The Operations Committee discussed a process to respond to the RFP that included all the workgroups and the GSC membership.  The Committee suggested that the RFP summary be revised to include more information, the timeline, and the involvement of the workgroups in the process. (See revised RFP Summary). 

            It was recommended that in the April workgroup meetings each of the GSC workgroups should review the RFP, and discuss how the objectives in the Action Agenda first year priorities fit with the RFP 6 targeted areas.  The workgroups should be asked to reach consensus on:
1) recommendations of what activities could use financial support,

2) which area from the list of 6 targeted areas above does the activity address,
3) the range of costs for the support,
4) who the partners would likely be in the activities,
5) possible measurable outcomes from the activity 

The CRCF & CAUW are expecting a written draft proposal to be submitted to them by mid-May 2008.  In order to expedite timely consideration of these ideas it was also suggested that all the GSC workgroup leaders be invited to attend the Operations Committee meeting on Friday 5/2/08 at CACS Head Start at 1:30pm.  Based on those discussions at the 5/2 Operations Committee, a draft of the proposed activities for the RFP will be prepared.  The response to the RFP will be presented for discussion and approval at the GSC meeting on 5/14/08.  

Plan for GSC meeting on 4/15/08

            Sharlina agreed to Chair the 4/15 GSC meeting, and Lucy will be asked to serve as Time Keeper.  The Operations Committee reviewed the proposed Agenda for the 4/15 meeting.  The regular Agenda was re-arranged to leave adequate time for guest speakers:
a) Sharon Granger (Capital Area United Way) and Brad Patterson (Capital Regional Community Foundation) - CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal Summary and Q&A
b) Al Bay (MI Dept of Community Health) and Tara Clark (Maximus) -

“Covering Kids Together” an on-line application process for MI Child, Healthy Kids, Plan First and MOMS

Operations Committee Members

            The Committee discussed ideas to add additional members to the Operations Committee.  The workgroup leaders will be invited to the next Operations Committee meeting to discuss the CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal.  It was suggested that we take the opportunity at that meeting to also ask them if they would like to join us on the Operations Committee on a continuing basis.  It was also suggested that the Parent Coalition might also want to choose another parent representative to join the Operations Committee.

Clerical Support for KEEP Task Force

            A request has been received from the KEEP Task Force serving as the workgroup on the social-emotional goals in the Action Agenda for clerical support to write-up the meeting minutes.  The Operations Committee recommended that Michelle explore further the costs of using IISD temps and/or CMH clerical staff to write-up minutes from audio recordings of the workgroup meetings or by attending the meetings.

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on May 2, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA April 4, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

1)    CAUW/CRCF Request for Proposal
      a)    RFP Summary
      b)    RFP process
2)    Plan for GSC meeting on 4/15/08
      a)    Identify Chair and Timekeeper
      b)    Review Agenda topics including: Parent Coalition Plan, MSU students PSAs, and Ad Hoc Transpo Committee Survey request
      c)     CAUW/CRCF RFP presentation and Q&A (Brad and Sharon)
      d)    Medicaid Outreach on-line enrollment (Al Bay)
3)    Recruit additional Operations Committee members

4)    Clerical support for KEEP Task Force

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on May 2, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes  March 7, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

101 E Willow, Lansing

Present: Lori Brasic, Fran Jozefowicz, Stephanie Peters, Lucy McClintic, Michelle Nicholson, MC Rothhorn, and Ken Sperber

2008 ECIC Grant Application (revisions)

            There were some minor revisions that ECIC requested be made in the 8-month Work Plan that was submitted in January 2008.  Most had to do with explaining the cross references to activities in the Action Agenda.  Ken and Michelle worked on these revisions and re-submitted the Work Plan to the ECIC.  ECIC identified an additional $3,330 that was supposed to be included in the Ingham GSC 8-month budget.  This would bring the requested funds from the ECIC for the Ingham GSC 8-month grant up to $163,330. The revised budget documents were submitted to ECIC showing additional expenses for secretarial support, parent supports, and a lap top computer.  The Ingham ISD has received notification from the ECIC for approval of the Ingham GSC grant award in the amount $163,330.

Budget & Staffing

            Michelle discussed with the committee several personnel items.  Sharlina has given notice that she intends to relocate to Tennessee and resign her Parent Coordinator position.  Michelle has been talking with Jaime and MC about the possibility of picking up some additional hours and their willingness to take on Sharlina’s position when she leaves.  Jaime has decided not to assume any additional responsibilities at this time.  MC also talked to the Operations Committee about his background in accounting, community organizing, and working with businesses. His experiences include working with International Peace Brigades in Germany, teaching English as a Second Language, manager of an After-School Program, community organizer in San Francisco, and business manger for the Lansing Northwest Initiative.
            The Operations Committee recommends to the GSC that a $5,000 performance contract with MC Rothhorn be approved.  MC would serve as an independent contractor to the Ingham GSC, as an outreach liaison, working with parents and the business community.
            The Operations Committee suggested that Michelle continue discussions with Jaime and MC and coordinate any necessary increases in service hours that may be necessary when Sharlina leaves her position.

Plan for GSC meeting on 3/12/08

            The Committee reviewed the proposed Ingham GSC meeting Agenda for 3/12/08. Fran agreed to facilitate, and Lucy to time-keep at the meeting.  The general consensus was that the new Ingham GSC Agenda format seemed to work well, and help focus our discussions on the Action Agenda.  It was suggested that we reverse the order for the Goal Area discussions.  Lucy agreed to do a presentation on Oral and Dental Health, and talk about the Miles for Smiles fundraiser during the agency spotlight time slot.  Ken and Michelle are trying to arrange for Medicaid Outreach and the Lead Coalition to be the featured agency spotlights at the April and May meetings.   

New Member Orientation (3/12/08)

            The first new member orientation meeting will be held before the GSC meeting on 3/12/08.  So far 19 participants have signed up to attend.  A member handbook with the materials suggested by the Operations Committee is being prepared.  Ken and Michelle are meeting to develop a power point presentation and agenda to make sure all the important items are covered.  Committee members asked if they should also attend the new member Orientation meeting, and Ken suggested that their assistance would be  more valuable in helping mentor and support new members after the orientation meeting.  The importance of engaging new members in also joining the GSC workgroups was  discussed.

Other updates

            No new written communications have been received from the United Way / Foundation Youth Initiative, nor the MSU / Power of We Kellogg Foundation grants.  However, we have received verbal assurances that some written communications will be coming within the next two weeks, Michelle was informed that we can expect a sole-source contract RFP from the United Way / Foundation Youth Initiative shortly; and Ken was assured that we would be receiving a copy of the latest draft of the MSU / Power of We Kellogg Foundation grant application soon.
            Michelle shared a correspondence that she received from the CAPS Board stating that they are maintaining the Executive Director position as vacant, while they continue strategic planning and consider an alliance with another service agency.  In the interim, Jim Paperella through Child & Family Services is providing administrative services.
            Michelle updated the Operations Committee on items discussed at the ECIC meeting for GSC Coordinators earlier this week.  There is a new composite logo that ECIC is finishing work on, for the local Great Start Collaboratives.  It will incorporate the familiar State mitten and an ECIC tagline.  The ECIC has agreed to help sponsor the MI-AIMH Fatherhood Conference as requested by the Ingham GSC with $2,000 from the MI Head Start Collaborative budget.  The Star Power Rally date has been set for 5/21/08.  The next ECIC technical assistance training meetings will be in Petoskey June 24-25, 2008.  Michelle suggested that the Finance Project be included on our next Operations Committee meeting Agenda.

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on April 4, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA March 7, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

 CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing, MI 48906

      a)     Work Plan
      b)    Budget & Staffing

2)     Plan for GSC meeting on 3/12/08
      a)     Review Agenda, identify Chair and Timekeeper
      b)    Discuss revised format and GSC meeting time allocations
      c)     New Member Orientation (3/12/08)

3)     Other updates
      a)     United Way / Foundation Youth Initiative
      b)    MSU Kellogg proposal

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes February 8, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at Ingham ISD Thorburn Ed Center  2630 W Howell Rd, Mason

Present: Fran Jozefowicz, Stephanie Peters, Sharlina Pye-Mack, and Ken Sperber

MIAMH Conference

            Fran requested support on behalf of CANEY the local chapter of MIAIMH, for the Fatherhood Conference on April 21-22, 2008 (Nurturing the Fatherhood Commitment: Engaging and Understanding Fathers of Infants and Young Children).  The Operations Committee supported the idea, and recommended that we send on a letter to the ECIC to become one of the agency sponsors since it is a statewide conference.  Fran will send Ken the details to include in the letter to the ECIC.  Ken shared with Fran the MSU CEU contact information for Elaine Williams.

Review Action Agenda - Goal VI  Infrastructure

            The Operations Committee reviewed the Action Agenda - Goal VI Infrastructure and chose Strategy A increase GSC membership as highest priority.  The Committee began working on Objective A.1. Developing an orientation packet and a mentoring system for new members.  Sharlina shared the orientation pack that has been developed for the Parent Coalition.  Members offered suggestions of what to include, and offered wording revisions.  It was suggested that we make sure to include new logos, phone number and website for all documents.  The consensus was reached to develop one packet with info for everyone (Parent Coalition and GSC members).  The group suggested that the information include: Power of We chart, membership list (and contacts), GSC Organizing Statements, GSC Brochure, Star diagram (version with workgroups added), Action Agenda (with Intro letter), and Status Report to the Community, in addition to the items already in the packet.

            After much discussion the Committee endorsed the idea of holding Quarterly Orientation luncheon meetings for new members.  These would be in addition to the written Orientation Packets and the standing offer to stay after any GSC meeting to get additional information from Ken or Michelle.  The quarterly Orientation meetings will be scheduled for 11:30am - 12:30pm, before the monthly GSC meetings on March 12,
June 11, September 10, and December 10, 2008.

            The Committee discussed renewing contacts with agencies whose representatives have not been attending regularly (CAUW, MSU Extension, DHS, Courts, ICHD-PHN) and trying to bring in additional representatives from early education and care programs like MSRP and area child care centers.  Michelle explained that is also timely to have the required organizations (from original GSC application) renew their letters of commitment.  Michelle will develop a template or sample letter to present to the agencies with a copy of their original letter.

            Ken reviewed some of the other Action Agenda Infrastructure items for Year One that the GSC has already made progress in.  These include the development of an outreach Database, Alignment of the Workgroups, and beginning the development of a Speakers Bureau. 

Plan for GSC meeting on 2/13/08
            The Committee reviewed the proposed Agenda and the revised format.  Stephanie offered to serve as the chairperson for the meeting and Fran will act as timekeeper.  Members agreed to help with the Action Agenda reports in the 5 star goal areas when the workgroup leaders make their reports.  Ken agreed to provide the GSC an update from the Operations Committee on the Infrastructure Year One progress on the Action Agenda.
The Committee discussed the conflict with the 4/9/08 GSC Meeting date with the school districts spring vacations.  Other alternate dates discussed were 4/23 or 4/15.  No one date was found when all could attend.  It was decided to propose the GSC to switch the April meeting date to Tuesday April 15^th, same time 1-3:30pm

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on March 7, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA February 8, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at Ingham ISD Thorburn Ed Center 2630 W Howell Rd, Mason

1)     Review ECIC & Budget Updates

2)     Review Action Agenda - Goal VI  Infrastructure

3)     Infrastructure - Membership
   a)     Renew Letters of Commitment
   b)    Invite additional members
   c)     Orientation Pack and Mentors

4)     Plan for GSC meeting on 2/13/08
   a)     Agenda (revised format)
   b)    Chair & Timekeeper

5)     Other updates

6)     April GSC Meeting Date (4/9 or other alternative)

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on March 7, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Birth to Five, GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes January 4, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

CEI-CMH, 838 Louisa Lansing

Present: Lori Brasic, Fran Jozefowicz, Stephanie Peters, Sharlina Pye-Mack, and Ken Sperber

2008 ECIC Work Plan & Budget

            The Operations Committee discussed the proposed Work Plan for 2008.  The version that the Committee reviewed was the same one that was sent to the GSC membership on 12/21/07 via email.  The few email comments received to date were supportive of approval of the Work Plan.  The Operations Committee approved the plan, and recommended that it be forwarded on to the ECIC with the 2008 Grant Application.

            The Operations Committee reviewed the proposed 8-month budget for the period of 2/1/2008 through 9/30/2008.  Ken explained that this 8-month budget essentially follows the pattern of the previously approved 4-month budget that ran from 10/1/07 through 1/31/07.  It continues supporting the current contractual staff positions for Parent Coordinator (Sharlina), Parent Liaisons, Faith Liaison (Yvonne), and Staff to the Committee (Ken).  It also continues providing funding for the GSC Parent Coalition and other parent activities, honorarium and child care reimbursements. 

            In the proposed 2008 Budget the only new area to be funded is $21,333 for an “Infrastructure Investment Fund”. The ECIC has given local Great Start Collaboratives the budget option to set aside ECIC budget funds that must be matched with local funds for discretionary infrastructure projects.  This proposed budget includes the maximum amount allowed for a GSC Infrastructure Investment Fund (with a cash match from Capital Area United Way & Capital Regional Community Foundation Youth Initiative).  This budget place marker will enable the Ingham GSC the discretion to direct GSC funds towards local implementation plans.  In order for funds to be set aside for this Infrastructure Investment Fund (a new expenditure increase), an existing budget line-item had to be decreased by the same amount of funding.  To accomplish this, the proposed budget shows that a smaller portion of Michelle’s salary will be paid by ECIC grant funds (and a larger share will be paid by the Ingham ISD match).  This will not affect Michelle’s salary, fringes or time on the grant, it only adjusts the identified funding sources for her position in the budget.

            After discussion, the Operations Committee voted to support the proposed 8-month budget as written.  The Operations Committee also voted to recommend that the GSC approve this budget and have it submitted to the ECIC for funding.

Planning for GSC meeting on 1/9/08

            The Operations Committee reviewed the proposed Agenda for the GSC meeting on Wednesday January 9, 2008.  Some revisions were made to the draft of the Agenda.  Ken said he would try and email out the new meeting Agenda to the full membership by the end of the day.

            There was discussion about the flow of the GSC meetings and the use of GSC meeting time.  In the coming year the GSC will be needing to monitor progress on the implementation of Action Agenda, and also taking on a new role in the Capital Area United Way & Capital Regional Community Foundation Youth Initiative.  The Operations Committee recommended that the GSC meeting times should be extended an additional half hour to end at 4pm.  In addition, the Operations Committee suggested that the GSC meetings be re-organized to focus on the 5 Goal Areas in the Action Agenda.  It was suggested that the Workgroup Reports and the member announcements and updates could be redirected to occur during the time set aside for progress reports, updates and discussions in each of the 5 Goal Areas.  Members asked for Ken to try and make a chart showing the alignment of the current GSC Workgroups and the 5-point star illustrating the 5 Goal Areas.  Members discussed how this new format for GSC meetings could be worked into a new agenda template.  The discussion of the proposed GSC meeting changes (time & agenda format) will be continued at the GSC meeting on 1/9/08.

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on February 1, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA January 4, 2008 1:30-3:30pm

at CEI-CMH Early Intervention Services
838 Louisa Street, Suite D,
Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 887-5251

1)     Review 2008 ECIC Grant Application (due 1/15/08)

        a)     Work Plan

        b)    Budget

2)     Plan for GSC meeting on 1/9/08

         a)     Review Agenda

         b)    Discuss use of GSC meeting time

3)     Other updates

Next Operations Committee Meeting will be on February 1, 2008 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Friday of each month.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes December 7, 2007 1:30-3:30pm

CACS Head Start 101 E Willow Lansing

Present: Lori Brasic, Fran Jozefowicz, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Ken Sperber

Review GSC Retreat (11/14/07)

            Overall the Committee felt the November GSC Strategic Planning Retreat was successful.  Even though the number in attendance was not as many as we had hoped, there were enough participants for each small group to accomplish the objectives and the tasks assigned.         
            The Committee reviewed the drafts of the Strategic Planning charts (Ingham Early Childhood Action Agenda) for each of the five component areas and offered comments and suggestions.  The Committee also reviewed the draft of a sixth section for Infrastructure and discussed content and revisions. 
            There was discussion about designating the KEEP Task Force to serve as the Social-Emotion Health Workgroup for the Ingham GSC to guide the implementation for the Social Emotional Health component area strategies and objectives.  It was agreed to move ahead with this plan to have the KEEP Task Force become a designated GSC Workgroup, understanding that additional resources and committee members may be needed to succeed in this effort.  This proposal was also discussed and agreed to at the KEEP Task Force meeting on 12/6/07.  Ken will begin working on adding the KEEP materials to the GSC Workgroup section of our website (www.cacvocies.org/birthtofive).  Barry Kaufman and Ken will meet in January to begin discussing some of the logistical and programmatic details of this dual function for the KEEP Task Force.

Funding Proposals

            Michelle shared information regarding two big funding opportunities.  The first is the joint funding for a youth initiative sponsored by Capital Area United Way & Capital Region Community Foundation with other foundations.  Michelle has received preliminary indications that the funders have chosen birth to five to be the designated focus of this 3-year, $1.5 million dollar funding initiative, with Ingham GSC in the lead role.  For their final deliberations the funders have requested a list of the types of projects that the Ingham GSC could help initiate.  The Operations Committee agreed that the projects should be interagency and collaborative, and meet needs identified in our planning process, using the strategies and objectives in our Strategic Planning charts.  The Operations Committee suggested that we use the Strategies list from our Strategic Planning charts and a list of associated project ideas, but not present them (at this point) with a price tag for any particular project or prioritized list. 
            It was agreed that the entire Ingham GSC membership will have to first approve the Strategic Planning Charts and then develop a system to prioritize the initiatives before we can begin to designated top priorities or price tags for particular projects. All members agreed that the planning process has worked well so far, in part because of the inclusive nature of our decision making and in building a group consensus, and that we should continue these strategies as we move from planning to implementation.
            Congratulations were offered to Michelle for her effective efforts in presenting the case for early childhood to the CAUW and foundations funding panels. 
            In addition, MSU Outreach and Engagement along with the Power of We Consortium is planning on submitting a multi-year $1 million dollar grant to the Kellogg Foundation.  This grant would foster a University and community partnership to focus on three critical areas: birth to five, middle school and workforce entry.  Michelle and Ken have provided the group writing this proposal the drafts of the Ingham GSC Strategic Planning charts for them to fold these ideas into the grant proposal.  We are awaiting more information on this proposal.
            Ken and Michelle reported that they have met with two instructors for the MSU Service Learning Center to try and arrange student projects for the Spring semester to promote the Ingham GSC and build the public will to invest in early childhood.  In conjunction with the Capital Area Community Media Center, MSU students in this class will be creating public service announcements about GSC initiatives and video spots that can be used on the GSC website and through their YouTube portal.

Review sections of 2008 Grant Application (due 1/15/08)

            Michelle shared the outline and the Work Plan format that must be submitted to the ECIC by January 15, 2008 as part of the GSC funding application process.  Most of the information is already included in the Strategic Planning charts and the other materials that Ken and Michelle have been preparing as part of the Strategic Planning Process using the ECIC templates.  Because of the timing and the Holidays it was agreed to send out the 2008 Grant Application for an email approval vote in the beginning of January 2008.

Agenda for GSC meeting on 12/12/07, and Next Op Comm Meeting

            Ken shared a proposed draft Agenda for the 12/12 GSC meeting and members offered suggestions and revisions on the timing and agenda items.  At this point, after discussion and with the mutual consent of OYC, the Agreement with OYC for business outreach will be discontinued.  A new agency or individual will be sought to lead the GSC business outreach initiatives and to be responsible for the distribution of the business toolkits.  This discussion will be continued at the next Operations Committee meeting on January 4th.

Next Operations Committee Meeting - on January 4, 2008 at 1:30pm
Tentative location CEI-CMH Early Intervention Services
 838 Louisa Street, Suite D, Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 887-5251

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Birth to Five, Ingham GSC Operations Committee 

Meeting NOTES from November 2, 2007

at CACS Head Start 101 E Willow Lansing

Present: Lori Brasic, Lucy McClintic, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Sharlina Pye-Mack, Ken Sperber

Planning for GSC Retreat on Nov. 14^th 

Ken shared a proposed AGENDA for the Ingham GSC Retreat on 11/14/07.  Members offered suggestions to revise the Agenda.  Lucy offered to share some activities from the “I’m Moving I’m Learning“ training and curriculum and Lori volunteered to lead the group in a “Stumbling Blocks and Barriers” activity. Operations Committee members agreed to lead the five small group discussions: Social Emotional (Fran); Physical Health (Lori); Early Care & Education (Stephanie); Family Support and Parent Ed (Sharlina); and Economic Security and Child Safety (Lucy).  Ken and Michelle will work on preparing a revised Agenda with time allocations.  Op Committee members agreed to help with follow-up calls if the RSVP numbers on 11/9 are not large enough.

GSC/ECIC Logo issues

          The Op Committee members reviewed the letter that Ken and Michelle posted to the GSC listserve.  The Op Committee strongly agreed with the perspective that the Ingham GSC logo should remain like the State of Michigan Great Start logo and not change to an ECIC style logo.  Almost all local GSC Coordinators, who responded on the listserve,  agreed with Ken & Michelle, and the ECIC has taken the issue under advisement for further re-consideration.

Foundation Funding Proposal Updates

          Michelle reported on the meetings with Capital Area United Way and the Capital Region Community Foundation and other partner funders considering sponsoring a unified focused Capital Region Community Youth Initiative.  One of the areas actively under consideration is a focus on Birth to Five.  The next meeting of the funders group will be on 11/29/07.  They are considering funding a $500,000 initiative for each of several years, and to date Michelle has been providing them lots of information about economic return on early childhood, and the importance of early childhood education and care.  To date we have let them know that the Ingham GSC is currently working on a strategic plan and Children’s Action Agenda that could help identify priority areas for possible initiative funding.  At the funders meeting on 11/29 “academic experts” will be making presentations, and there may also be an additional opportunity for Michelle to provide additional information about the benefits of investing in early care and education.
            Pat Farrell spoke briefly with Ken and Michelle about a grant proposal that the Power of We and MSU are considering submitting to the Kellogg Foundation.  This would be a multi-year grant proposal to provide funding for a broad range of youth initiatives for our area.  The current thinking is that the grant will be requesting $1million per year for 3-5 years to be divided among three target areas: birth to five, middle School initiatives, and workforce entry programs.  Pat said she would share more with the Ingham GSC as the grant proposal ideas became more clear.
            Michelle shared with the Op Committee information from the Junior League about their grant proposal process.  They fund projects of up to $20k that would benefit the community.  It was suggested that Michelle and Ken look into writing a proposal for a preschool scholarship fund (similar to the OYC City of Lansing Scholarship fund) that could be used County-wide and help meet some of the needs of families falling between the cracks.   The program could also be aimed at low-income working families not currently receiving assistance to enable them to enroll their children in preschools, childcare centers, or family day care homes.  Ken and Michelle will follow-up with Lori from OYC.

MIChild and Healthy Kids

            Michelle, Ken and Sharlina attended a training on 10/30/07 on the new on-line application system for health care insurance.  Now parents can apply on-line with one combined application for health insurance coverage under MIChild (S-CHIP), Healthy Kids (Medicaid), MOMS, and Plan First.  The website lets applicants use an on-line signature and enter pay rate information (without having to photo copy pay stubs) so that an eligibility determination can be made immediately upon completion of the on-line application.  In under 20 minutes a family can fill out the application, eligibility be determined and an authorization card be ready for immediate use. The website for the on-line enrollment is: www.healthcare4mi.com .    Ken has added a link to this on the GSC website in the “Other resources” section.

Kids Count

            Ken and Michelle have been working with a local coalition of groups who are going to help sponsor a Kids Count press event on 12/4/07.  This will be similar to the press conference we helped sponsor last year, but this year there will be more of a focus and child safety and local data.  This will also be an opportunity for the Ingham GSC  to share the “The Status of Young Children in Ingham County, 2007 Report to the Community on the Well-being of Ingham County’s Young Children and Their Families”

The next Operations Committee Meeting - Dec. 7, 2007 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing. 

The Operations Committee now regularly meets on the first Friday of each month at 1:30pm at CAC Head Start.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Birth to Five, GSC Operations Committee

10/4/07 Meeting Notes, 9-11am

Present: Lori Brasic, Fran Jozefowicz, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Sharlina Pye-Mack, Ken Sperber

ECIC and Budget Updates

Michelle reported that in response to ECIC feedback several (minor) changes had to be made on the submitted Work Plan and Budget sheets.  In the 4-month Work Plan, in Sections B and C/D, the completion dates needed to be changed from 1/31/08 to 1/15/08 to align with the new ECIC deadlines.  In Section A, the name of the Parent Coordinator (Sharlina Pye-Mack) had to be added into the Plan.  The ECIC required Budget revisions included additional details, such as the number of parents supported, and the names of sub-contractors. Michelle made all the required changes and re-submitted the Work Plan and Budget sheets to ECIC.

  Michelle reported that even though the ECIC funding for the coming year will be in the form of a 4-month grant, and then an 8-month grant, the IISD fiscal office suggests that the sub-contracts be drawn up for a full twelve months (with an “if necessary” termination clause).  From the IISD perspective this is easier since there would be fewer sub-contracts coming to the IISD Board for approval.

Michelle outlined the expected work to be covered in extending each of three GSC sub-contracts (Ken, Yvonne, and Sharlina) for another year.  The contract for Ken Sperber would include combining the current two sub-contracts in place (one as support staff to the GSC, and the other for website work) into one twelve-month contract.  Using the currents rates for each of these subcontracts, and including around $1,000 for travel and overnight expenses (to the ECIC technical assistance meetings) the proposed contract for the new fiscal year would be for $45,000.  

Michelle explained that Yvonne Phillips has additional time that she can spend on the Faith-Based Initiative and recommended her contract be increased to $20,000.  Michelle also recommended that the GSC purchase additional Parent Coordinator services from Sharlina Pye-Mack and include a small amount for travel and expenses (to the ECIC technical assistance meetings) raising the amount to $7,500 for the year. Sharlina’s childcare expenses would not be included in the subcontract, but instead be reimbursed as needed from the parent activities portion of the GSC budget.  In addition, Michelle recommended budgeting $2,500 for other parent liaisons who are interested in more hours.

The Operations Committee reviewed and discussed each of these sub-contract recommendations.  There was unanimous support for moving ahead with continuing each of these ongoing subcontracts with the new dollar amounts suggested by Michelle. The Operations Committee noted that each of these subcontracts helps support the work of the Ingham GSC and fits in the Ingham GSC budget.  These recommendations will be presented to the GSC at the next meeting on 10/10/07 for approval.

Review GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting on October 10^th

            Stephanie agreed to Chair the next GSC meeting on 10/10/07, and Fran offered to serve as the timekeeper.  The Operations Committee agreed to continue rotating members to serve as Chair for the GSC meetings.  It was suggested that the timekeeper serve as the Chair for the following meeting. 

The Committee reviewed the Agenda for the 10/10 GSC meeting, and focused on the Infra-Structure Review section.  It was agreed to cover 4 sections: Organizing Statements, Examples of inter-agency agreements, Collaborative workgroups/coalitions, and an Assessment of collaborative governance on a continuum.  Ken and Michelle will prepare materials (handouts and overheads) and the Operations Committee members agreed to help with the discussion in each of these areas. 

Planning GSC Retreat 11/14/07

The plans are starting to shape up for the 11/14 meeting.  Instead of the usual two hour meeting in November we will be holding a Strategic Planning Retreat.  It will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 1900 Boston Blvd Lansing 48911.  It will go from 9:30am until 3:30pm, and lunch will be included.  The site was chosen because it has more windows in the large meeting room and small breakout rooms are also available.

The focus of the Retreat will be on developing an Action Agenda for each of the 5 component goal areas.  Participants will be given the feedback from the community conversations distilled into themes.  Members will be asked to use these, and their own experience and expertise to help us develop strategies, objectives, timeframes, starting points, responsibilities and contributions, and system/family/child outcomes.  It was suggested that the morning be spent in individual component area workgroups, and then in the afternoon we share the ideas with the larger group.  Each member of the Operations Committee will facilitate one of the morning small group component area discussions: Fran - Social Emotional Health; Lori - Physical Health; Stephanie - Early Ed; Lucy - Basic Needs; Sharlina - Parents.  Ken and Michelle will prepare charts to be used in each small group and help out where needed.

Parent Coalition -  GSC Logos

         The Shiawassee GSC purchased lawn signs that say “We support the Great Start Collaborative.  Sharlina suggested we distribute a similar item but make it more like a window cling sign.  In the discussion it was suggested that maybe we can get it in a few sizes so it could be used for car windows as well as large store front windows.

But there is a new issue with the logo - apparently the ECIC wants each of the local Great Start Collaboratives to change the logos that they are using to a new one.  Currently the local GSCs are using a variation on the brightly colored Great Start logo with the map of Michigan in the background.  The ECIC wants everyone to switch to using the ECIC logo with small tag line identifying it as a Great Start Collaborative.  Every member of the Operations Committee thought this was a bad idea.  It would upset the identity we have been building in the community and confuse our recognition with that of the ECIC.  Members commented that this apparent unilateral decision is not very “collaborative” and that we are a local GSC not a local ECIC.  It was suggested that we should try and get the ECIC to re-consider this decision.  The Operations Committee felt very strongly that the Ingham Great Start Collaborative should continue to use the Great Start logo and not switch to the ECIC logo.

--- Current logo version                                ---ECIC proposed version

Next Meeting

     The next Operations Committee Meeting will be on Nov. 2, 2007 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee will start to regularly meet on the first Friday of each month beginning in November 2007. from 1:30pm- 3:30pm at CACS Head Start.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA 10/4/07, 9-11am

1.     ECIC events and budget updates

2.     Community Report & Community Conversation feedback

3.     Review GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting on October 10^th

a. collaborative governance

b. examples of inter-agency agreements and collaborative training

c. local Great Start service system integration

4.     GSC retreat for Nov. 14^th meeting

5.     Parent Coalition - logos or signs

Next Operations Committee Meeting - Nov. 2, 2007 at 1:30pm at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow Lansing.  The Operations Committee will start to regularly meet on the first Friday of each month beginning in November 2007.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes August 24, 2007, 1:30-3:30pm, 

CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow

ECIC, contract, workplan, and budget updates

            Most of the meeting was spent discussing the proposed 4-month Workplan and the proposed 4-month Budget.  The Ingham Great Start Collaborative has asked for "Planning Continuation" funding for the first four months of the new fiscal year.  To be eligible for this funding, the ECIC is requiring the Ingham Great Start Collaborative to submit a revised Work Plan and a 4-month Budget to cover the period of Oct 1, 2007 through Jan 31, 2008.

            The deadline for the submission of these required documents to receive continuing ECIC contract extension funding is Sept 12, 2007.  This Planning Continuation funding is a 4-month extension, and then in January 2008 the Ingham GSC can apply for an 8-month "Implementation" grant for the remainder of the fiscal year funding.

            Since our next full Ingham GSC Collaborative meeting isn't until the deadline date of 9/12/07, the Operations Committee recommended that the GSC membership approve the revised Workplan and Budget via email. 
            The revised 4-month Workplan is based on the current Workplan and additional items listed in the ECIC Workplan Template.  The focus for the next 4 months will be on developing the Strategic Plan and the Early Childhood Action Agenda for our community, both of which must be submitted to the ECIC by 1/15/08 to be eligible for Implementation funding for the next 8 months of the fiscal year. 

            The budget is a continuation budget in almost every line-item.  Essentially the same amount of money was allocated for most line-items on a pro-rated basis to develop a 4-month $53,330 budget.  The 4-month budget of  $53,330 is required to include an allocation of $3,330 designated for parent coalition activities and support. The sub-contracts for Faith, Business and Parent Outreach, Website and Staff to the GSC are all included in the budget as discussed and voted on at the 8/15/07 Ingham GSC meeting. 

            After a thorough discussion and a few changes the Committee voted to approve the Workplan and Budget and to send it on to the GSC membership for their review and approval.

Community Report & Community Conversation feedback

            So far there have been about a dozen Community Conversation meetings with feedback from over 50 parents and about 50 agency staff members.  Lori and Sharlina agreed to do the session in Stockbridge on Wednesday 8/29, and Lori also offered to do another session with OYC staff.  Ken, Sharlina and Michelle are scheduled to do about another ten sessions.  The feedback to the Report presentation has been positive and many participants have offered suggested strategies to address the identified issues.  Ken and Michelle will be working to pull common themes out of the feedback sessions and report back to the GSC. 
            It was suggested that the October GSC meeting could focus on outlining the parts of the Strategic plan and then focusing on the Infrastucture review and governance issues.  At subsequent meetings other parts of the Strategic Plan will also be discussed.

Review GSC Birth to Five Agenda for 9/12/07 Meeting

The Operations Committee reviewed the proposed Agenda and discussed both items to be on the Agenda, and the way the meetings are being conducted.  There was agreement that there doesn’t seem to be enough time to cover all the information during the current 2-hour GSC meetings.  Sometimes topics run longer and others don’t get addressed as thoroughly.  The Operations Committee suggested several ideas to help the meetings run more smoothly including having someone serve as a time-keeper and having someone other than Michelle or Ken chair the meetings.  The Operation Committee members offered to serve on a rotating basis in these two co-chair positions - meeting leader and time-keeper.  Lori and Stephanie offered to serve in those roles for next GSC meeting.

An item will be included in the Agenda of the next GSC meeting to discuss with the full GSC whether we are providing the appropriate content (level of detail to members) and scheduling adequate time (length of meetings).  It was also suggested that the Agenda include a discussion of the Strategic Plan timeline, and that the meeting start punctually at 1:30pm.

Next Operations Committee Meeting

Unfortunately the last regular meeting date the Operations Committee settled on conflicted with the Quality Initiatives workgroup meeting time.  After calendar consultations and discussions it was agreed that the Operations Committee will begin regularly meeting on the first Friday of each month at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.  Since the Family Growth Center will not be in session to offer child care, child care reimbursement will be available to parent participants in the meetings. 

Due to conflicting schedules the next Operations Committee meeting will be on Thursday 10/4/07 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope Lansing, from 9-11am.  The next 4 Operations Committee meetings will be 10/4 (BLC), 11/2(HS), 12/7(HS), 1/4(HS).  All meeting dates, Agendas and Minutes will be posted to the GSC website.

The next Operations Committee meeting will be on Thursday 10/4/07 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope Lansing, from 9-11am. 

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA  August 24, 2007, 1:30-3:30pm

CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow

1. ECIC, contract, workplan, and budget updates
2.  Community Report & Community Conversation feedback
3.  Review GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting on September 12^th
   – Note: GSC meeting place change back to BLC (Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing).
4. Next Operations Committee Meeting
   - RESOLVE regular meeting dates for Operations Committee (without conflict with other standing meetings)

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes  7/31/07 , 2pm – 4pm

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lansing

 
Present: Lori Brasic, Lucy McClintic, Fran Jozefowicz, Michelle Nicholson, Stephanie Peters, Sharlina Pye-Mack, Ken Sperber

ECIC updates, Contract Extensions

Michelle shared an email from Cherie Barber (ECIC) that stated that a budget extension for 3 month period would require a new budget and a new workplan for Oct 1 thru Dec 30^th , and then another budget and workplan for January thru September 2008.  There was discussion about the fact that our current approved workplan does not list a completed Strategic Plan as a required item by 9/30/07.  ECIC has indicated that local GSCs can not carry over funds past the current contract ending date of 9/30/07.  It was suggested we let the ECIC know that we plan on completing all the items in our approved workplan (and that we will be completing the Strategic Plan by Jan 31, 2008).  It is not clear if this means we must apply for a contract extension.  After further consultations with the ISD Michelle will discuss this further with the ECIC.

Review Budget Expenses

The 4^th Quarter written projection estimated $61k in expenses, current estimates are that actual spending will be closer to $51k.  In addition to this $10k underspending in this quarter there was $5k underspent in previous quarters.  Several suggestions were made and discussed of how to spend this $15k in the Ingham GSC budget.  The Operations Committee recommended that GSC grant funds be used to:

1) pay a larger portion of Michelle’s time (currently the grant pays 25% of her time - but she is spending almost 70% of her time on the GSC efforts)

2) spend grant funds on a temp employee to attend Community Conversations to provide clerical support

3) contract with Ken to provide facilitation at the Community Conversation meetings, and assistance in helping develop the themes to be used in the Strategic Plan

4) add additional time and effort into the Faith-Based outreach efforts
5) purchase some signs that say “Supporter of Ingham Great Start Collaborative” with the logo, for display at area businesses and faith-based organizations joining the GSC efforts.

6) look into additional help for writing of the Strategic Plan

Michelle will look into each of these suggestions and request line-item transfers to re-allocate grant budget funds, if necessary.

Mott Dental Coalition has developed a dental wheel – Baby Your Baby Teeth, Birth to Three.  Lucy has talked with Delta Dental about reprinting a large quantity, maybe jointly with Ingham GSC.

Next year the Ingham GSC budget may include a small amount of funds for investment in infra-structure building.  ECIC has not made it clear exactly what they mean by this. One example they offered was for coordinating parenting curriculum and certification, such as PAT; but this needs more clarification.  Ken and Michelle will be attending a TA session by ECIC in mid-August that will hopefully better define planning, system change, and infra-structure building, as well as developing and funding new GSC activities.

Community Conversations

The Community Conversation Schedule was revised, Ken will post updated versions to the website. Sharlina and Ken reported on the first two Community Conversation meetings held at the end of July.

Next Meetings

The Committee reviewed the GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting on August 15^th.  The Committee discussed moving the regular meeting dates of the Operations Committee to the 1st Tuesday of each month from 2-4pm, or the 1^st Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3:30pm.  The group agreed to the Wednesday meeting day, so the next meeting will be Sept 5^th at BLC*.

(*NOTE: due to conflict with the QI schedule of meetings the Op Comm will need to re-discuss and decide on a different regular meeting date)

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

AGENDA - 7/31/07, 2pm – 4pm

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lansing

1. ECIC updates, Contract Extensions
2. Review Budget Expenses
3.  Community Report & Community Conversation Schedule
4.  Review GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting on August 15^t
   – Note: GSC meeting place change for summer (UUMC – 1120 S Harrison, East Lansing).
5.   Next Operations Committee Meeting
   - We discussed moving the regular meeting dates to the 1st Tuesday of each month from 2-4pm, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  That would tentatively put the September meeting on 9/4/07 at 2pm

Ingham GSC Operations Committee

Meeting Notes 7/10/07, 2:00pm – 3:30pm

 Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lansing

Present: Michelle N, Sharlina P, Ken S, Lori B

Review Budget, Proposed Purchases

Michelle ordered $19,868.99 of books and child development materials, as discussed in previous Operations Committee meeting.  Many of the shipments have already arrived at the IISD.  Labels will get printed with Ingham GSC logo and contact info to place on all the materials.  Also, plastic bags have been ordered with GSC contact information.  The Halo Sleepers are really well made - have “Back to Sleep” slogan printed in the pattern on the sleepers; when unzipped have a Safe Sleep tip sheet; and some have velcro swaddle attachment.

We are spending pretty close to what the budget plan projected ($54k for the Quarter).  The bids for the 4 color glossy Community Report to print 1,000 copies – bids so far range from $1,000-$1,220.

After discussion it was agreed to give out infant toddler books and Meijer ($25) gift cards to all parents at the Community Conversations.  Copies of the calendars will also be given out at those parent meetings.  The nursery rhyme music CDs will also be used as gifts (parents will get to choose one item from these three choices: infant book, toddler book, music CD).  Halo Sleepers will be reserved for use in Business, Faith and Parent outreach efforts to encourage them to create their own welcome baby bags and support Safe Sleep. 

The outreach efforts will be using the following purchased items which will be tracked in the database: Baby Teeth Wheels, Bunnaby Bunny Reader, Calendars, Child's Play Booklet, Kids Basics, Nursery Rhymes Booklet, Nursery Rhyme CD, Rockabye Reader, Sleep Sacks, Social-Emotional Wheels-Infant/Toddler, and Social-Emotional Wheels-Preschool.

Community Report & Community Conversations

The 7/2 draft of the Community Report has been emailed to GSC members, and posted on website.  We received several compliments and a few suggestions.  The wording around “Action Agenda” was revised to better explain what we mean by that term, and some of the charts have been more clearly labeled.  We will also print up the consensus Goals for use at the Community Conversations.  We will be using the questions from the backpage of the Community Report during the Community Conversations.

Ken and Michelle suggested a variety of methods to get feedback from participants using a round robin format.  Depending on the length of time allocated for the activity, and the number of people in the meeting one of the techniques might work better:

Easel - poster sheet to record suggestions called out by participants

Sticky notes - for people to individually write-up and then collect and display up front

Index cards - to hand-in with suggestions and comments (works when very little time available)

Small Groups  – 5 small groups rotate to 5 areas with pre-labeled poster sheets (with sub-topics and questions), write and discuss ideas posted and then move to next area.

It was suggested we write up talking points, and closing remarks to help have consistency in Community Conversations.

            This is the current schedule of Community Conversation meetings:

Early On Family Committee                    7/26/07            6-8pm (Sharlina & Stephanie)

Infant Health Disparities Coalition              7/30/07            1-3pm (Ken)

Early Childhood Literacy Coalition            8/14/07            9-10:30am (Michelle, Ken)

Public Awareness Workgroup            8/20/07            1:30-3:30 (Michelle, Ken, Sharlina)

Quality Initiatives Workgroup            8/1/07              (Michelle, and Lori or Ken)               

Safe Sleep Coalition                                   8/20/07            9-11am (Ken, Sharlina)

Head Start Policy Council              September       10am -12 noon (Sharlina & Lucy)

Immigrant & Refugee Coalition            9/10/07            9-11am (Michelle)

Power of We Consortium                   9/21/07            1:30-2pm (Ken & Michelle)

Superintendents Roundtable                   September            (Michelle)

Curriculum Directors                                  September            (Michelle)

Special Ed Directors                                  September            (Michelle)

Homeless Resolution Network            ? Sept.             (Ken)

Clergy Forum                                       ? Aug.              (Yvonne, Michelle)

IMPACT                                             ?Aug or Sept            (Sharlina, Michelle)

CMH Partnership Council             9/14/07            6-8pm (Sharlina)

Stockbridge Community                   8/29/07            (Jo, Michelle)

GPGS Playgroups (Sharlina or Shera):  Holt 8/6/07 at 10-11am, Willamston 8/7 at 10-11am, Haslett 8/8 at 10-11am, Stockbridge 8/9 at 10-11am, Oak Park Y 8/9 at 2-3pm, Foster Community Ctr 8/10 at 10-11am, East Lansing 8/16 at 10-11am.

Next Operations Committee Meeting

The next Operations Committee meeting will be July 31, 2007 at 2-4pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope Lansing.

We discussed moving the regular meeting dates to the 1st Tuesday of each month from 2-4pm, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  That would tentatively put the September meeting on 9/4/07 at 2pm.  We will finalize this at the next Operations Committee meeting on 7/31/07. 

Ingham GSC Operations Committee 

7/10/07 Agenda, 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lansing

Review Budget, Proposed Purchases

Community Report

Community Conversations

Review GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting on July 11^th

 – Note: GSC meeting place change for summer (UUMC – 1120 S Harrison, East Lansing).

Next Operations Committee Meeting (8/2? & place?)
 -  The Operations Committee usually meets on the 1^st Thursday of each month from 2:30-4pm, at
Bethlehem Lutheran Church. 

Ingham GSC Operations Committee 

Notes from 6/7/07 Operations Committee Meeting

CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow, 2:30pm – 4pm 

Present:  Lori B, Michelle N, Ken S, Sharlina P, Diane W, and Cheri B

Michelle report that she had received a report about the MI Great Parents website utilization.  In the most recent ten months (7/2006 – 5/2007) The Ingham website has received 1,987 visits.  This is up from 1,326 visits in FY2005 and 1,688 visits in FY2006.  Ingham County website visits indicate the 2^nd highest usage in the State.

Star Power Rally

Michelle distributed Star Power evaluation forms for participants to complete.  Lucy forwarded a letter she received from Rep LeBlanc thanking her for her visit and the Early Childhood Education information.  Lori described her two positive legislative visits as well.  Lori and her group felt both Rep. Ball (on Shiawassee GSC), and Rep Caul (former Spec Ed teacher) were very supportive of our issues.  Sharlina visited with Rep. Agema who talked about the role of faith-community in providing community services. 

A Lansing State Journal reporter contacted Michelle to do a rally follow-up story.  Michelle is working with Ingham ISD and with the ECIC to prep materials to share with the reporter.

Review Budget, Proposed Purchases

            Michelle mentioned that there was another Venture grant opportunity.  Since re-submitting our previous proposal will not work, the deadline is July 13^th, and it is for a relatively small amount of money ($5k) for “innovative and new ideas”, we will not submit an application this round. 

Michelle discussed the line-item transfer request of $4,500 from Communication & Outreach (telephone, fax) to move to Contract Services.  Michelle also discussed that Lynne Martinez will not be billing Ingham GSC for initial business efforts with Bill Millett lecture and any follow-up services.  Ingham ISD has not been charging Ingham GSC grant for postage costs.

The Operations Committee discussed and recommended that the Ingham GSC grant purchase the following items to use as incentives and outreach supports.

$2,500 - for Meijer gift cards ($25 certificates face value, with small purchase discount)
$2,000 - Social-Emotional wheels (@ $1 each) - Infant/Toddler, Preschool & Spanish $1,000 - Baby Those Baby Teeth pamphlets
$1,000 - Learning is Childs Play, (@$2/book) $.65-$2.75 with logo
$1,000 - Rock-a–Bye-Reader (English and Spanish versions) (@$1.95/copy)
$1,000 - Bun-a-Bye-Bunny toddler version (@ $3/book)
(Diane shared that new Clinton GPGS coordinator may have other inexpensive books)
$800    - Halo sleepers (100 @ $8)
$1,650 - Audio CD of ACTS nursery rhymes (by Joyce at Ingham ISD), and other CDs and DVDs
$ 1,200 - Watch Me Grow Calendars -  English & Spanish (@$1)

Sharlina suggested CD, tapes or DVDs with educational songs and games and fingerplays.  Michelle or Sharlina was going to check with Beany about PBS items, Ken about the NAEYC store (website), and Lori about Scholastic Book discounts. 

USES
- Community conversation meeting incentives for parents
- Stockpile incentives for other community events (eg. Early Childhood Literacy Coalition fall Mall events, Family Fun Fair)
- Yvonne use with faith based outreach, Lori OYC with business outreach, Sharlina with parent groups

The Ingham GSC received ECIC foundation money ($1,200) in advance of the Star Power Rally.  Ingham GSC only spent under $200 for mileage and childcare, but balance can be spent on other parent activities or carried over to next year’s budget.

Priorities, Goals, Strategies & Strengths

Based on the ideas discussed at the May 2007 Ingham GSC meeting, Ken and Michelle worked on a revised draft of the Priorities, Goals, Strategies & Strengths document.  The Committee reviewed the draft and offered additional comments and suggestions.  The updated version will be emailed to all Ingham GSC members before the next meet on 6/13/2007 for discussion and consensus approval at the meeting.  Ken will also post the document on the website see: http://www.cacvoices.org/organizations/birthtofive/minutes/june

 Draft GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting on June 13^th

The Operations Committee reviewed the Agenda for the next Birth to Five, Ingham GSC  meeting. Note: GSC meeting place change for summer months (UUMC – 1120 S Harrison, East Lansing).

Next Operations Committee Meeting

Due to the July 4^th holiday the next Operations Committee meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday July 10^th, from 2-3:30 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee 

AGENDA - June 7, 2007, 2:30-4pm, CACS Head Start 101 E Willow

Review Budget, Proposed Purchases

Priorities & Strengths

Community Report

Draft GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting on June 13^th

 – Note: GSC meeting place change for summer (UUMC – 1120 S Harrison, East Lansing).

Next Operations Committee Meeting (date-7/5? & place?)

 -  The Operations Committee usually meets on the first Thursday of each month from 2:30-4pm, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee 

NOTES - Operations Committee May 4, 2007

Diane W. announced that her last day at CEI-CMH will be 6/15, and there will be a farewell on 6/14 in the CEI-CMH Atrium on Jolly Rd in the afternoon.  Diane reported that her replacement had been selected and would be announced shortly.  Diane and her replacement will be at the next Birth to Five meeting on May 23^th.

ECIC Updates

     Rob Grunewald – will be speaking at the Lansing Radisson on 5/17/07 from 3-5pm.  Invitations and email announcements have gone out, so far received 20 RSVPs.  Michelle  will be in contact with him to coordinate with his earlier part of the day (11-3pm he will be speaking at Round Lake Conference Center in Laingsburg).  At the Radisson Michelle is arranging for snacks to be served, the schedule is for arrival and sign-in 3-3:15pm, Rob to speak for 45 minutes (3:15 to 4pm), and then Michelle to talk about Great Start Collaborative, and Rob will take questions at end.  Ken will set up sign-in table.

     Star Power Rally – May 29^th Rally begins at 8:30am.  ECIC is looking for 25 people, at least 12 parents, to come from each local Great Start Collaborative.  Attendees will be offered prepaid parking; parents can receive child care & mileage reimbursement; and free T shirts will be available for all.  Special activities are planned for kids (who are accompanied by parents).  ECIC is preparing talking points to share with those in attendance before they go to meet with their legislators.  ECIC is identifying 3 State Reps and 3 State Senators to give out champions awards nominated by local GSC’s in their Districts to receive “Star Awards”.  Michelle urged Operations Committee members to encourage others to also attend.  Michelle requested all who plan on attending to RSVP via email directly to MNichols@InghamISD.org as soon as possible.

     Local Needs Assessment – ECIC has set up a TA meeting for June 18^th 1:30-3:30pm on data collection.  One issue remains with our local data, CEI-CMH data is aggregate of all three Counties.  Diane will try to separate out by County for home visits and other CMH data if possible.  Lori will send info to Diane that we would like separated by County if possible.  The data collection then will be complete, next need to use the data to develop priorities and a document such as a Report to the Community as part of a strategic plan.  Lucy shared what Shiawassee GSC has done so far.  Lucy believes that Ingham has a larger number of at-risk children, and clearly we have more agencies providing services. 

Michelle shared ECIC outline of what must be included in the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan needs to answer, for the community, the following questions:

• What is the current status of young children and families, and our local early childhood system?
• What does our community need to accomplish to improve the status of young children and families and develop a more comprehensive and cohesive system of programs, services and supports?
• What will our community need to do to get there?
• How will our community know we are making progress?

            Lucy suggests we start by looking right at birth, ie the number of children born into poverty, on Medicaid.  Diane would like to see summary of key issues (and missing data suggestions) from small groups at previous GSC mtg.  Consensus from Operations  Committee to identify one or two priorities in each of the 5 areas.  We will then identify some short and long term goals (3-5 years out).

Review Budget & Work Plan

Michelle discussed some proposed line-item transfers, postage to printing ($4,500), and from communications and outreach ($2,500) into salary support for IISD finance technician.  Contract services will be increased to facilitate community conversations meetings or final report writing.  Committee approved of all the line-item transfers. 

For Quarter that just ended should have spent $34k we actually spent $32k, next quarters expenses are projected to be for $54k.  Another $20k is budgeted to be spent for strategic planning documents and community conversations.  Members suggested to use existing groups like GPGS Playgroups, HS Policy Council (August), Family Growth Center parent groups, and other activities during summer or August/September.  It was suggested to use some of the funds for incentives like children’s story books to engage parents to attend meetings (and door prizes).  Idea discussed to use written surveys, Lucy said Head Start has good parent input using surveys.  Sharlina also suggested we use workgroups like Infant Disparities to present the Report to the Community as a way to reach lots of other agencies.  Lori also offered that we can use OYC Aides and Relatives training or other in June or July for additional feedback.

            Committee discussed incentives such as children’s books, education toys and some things for parents; suggested Meijers Gift Cards (maybe 5% discount) at $15 can purchase 100 cards. These gift cards can be for children’s items, food – for any number of items families’ need (note: Meijers Gift Cards can not be used for alcohol, tobacco, or gasoline).

Draft GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting & Strategic Planning

Stephanie requested time to present Early On Grant application at May 23^rd mtg. It was suggested that EO Report be kept brief and focus on inter-agency collaboration, overview of numbers and general budget summary (and the more detailed report be distributed in writing to members). The Ingham GSC recommendation for the Early On Grant should go on to the Power of We for consideration at their June 15^th meeting.  Lori will wait to invite DHS Foster Care for agency spotlight until future (unspecified) mtg.  We will not have an Agency Spotlight at the 5/23 meeting, so that more time will be available for strategic planning process and workgroup reports.

            Talked about the May 23^rd GSC meeting working as a large group to develop priorities in each of five areas, then send out summaries.  We will need to also develop some initial strategies and goals.  It was suggested to have follow-up meetings between May 23^rd and June 13^th to come up with benchmarks and how to measure progress to discuss at June mtg.

At GSC meeting it was suggested we include updates on:

• Rob Grunewald
• Safe Sleep training
• Library exhibit
• Star Power rally
• Smart Start Conference (share some interesting info, handouts)

It was also suggested to try and add extra half hour to meeting (1:30-4pm).  TheThree big areas needing to be covered are:

- Early On (15 minutes)

- Continue Strategic Planning Process

- Updates

Power of We has requested that Birth to Five do an update at the May 18^th meeting.  Diane suggested we include in highlights info about Rob Grunewald presentation about parent involvement component of GSC.  Alternately, might wait to present to Power of We until Community Report Card is ready in June or July.

Parent Coordinator Contract Update

Wendy N resigned as Parent Coordinator, and Sharlina has agreed to become the new Ingham GSC Parent Coordinator.  Lucy will be searching for another Head Start parent to join Ingham GSC.  Cherie from ECIC has requested info about parent activities and contact info.  Sharlina will try and write up the information including parenting trainings, resource collection and agency contacts.

Next Meeting 

Operations Committee regularly meets the first Thursday of each month.  Next meeting will be June 7^th 2:30-4pm.
NOTE: Change in meeting location - 6/7/07 Operations Committee meeting will be at CACS Head Start, 101 E Willow, Lansing.

Ingham GSC Operations Committee 

AGENDA Thursday June 3, 2010, 2:30 - 4:30pm
549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing MI 48910 (Bethlehem Lutheran Church) (map)

1)      Review Proposed Meeting Agenda (6/3/2010)

2)      Review previous meeting Notes (5/6/2010)

3)      ECIC Updates

a)      Implementation Grant Updates

i)        ASD Project Impact Training - follow-up

ii)       Oral Dental Health Workshop (6/10 for HV)

iii)     Advanced Coaching Seminar (6/15,6/16)

iv)     Parenting Resources listings

b)      Advocacy

i)        Star Power 5/19

ii)       Juice Box Convention 7/14, 5-8pm

iii)     Early Childhood Bus Tour

4)       GSC Business

a)      Feedback on 5/21 Special GSC Meeting

b)      Re-Imagine Early Years

c)      Plan next GSC meeting (6/9/10)

i)        Suggested Agenda items

ii)       Confirm Chair (MC) and Timekeeper (?)

d)      Updates: MSU Psych Clinic, Action Agenda and CAUW/CRCF, MSU Evaluation 

e)      Future GSC meetings Agency Spotlights (re-schedule MSU Psych Clinic, Advocacy, Mother-Baby Program, Great Start Connect website, other ideas?) 

5)      Next GSC meeting dates

a)      Regular GSC meeting on 6/9/2010

b)      No GSC Meeting in July

c)      Regular GSC meeting on 8/11/2010

6)      Next Operation Committee meeting dates: July 8 and August 5

AGENDA - May 4, 2007, 1-3pm, CEI-CMH Louisa Street

ECIC Updates

     Rob Grunewald

   Star Power Rally

     Local Needs Assessment

Review Budget & Work Plan

Strategic Planning Process

Draft GSC Birth to Five Agenda for Next Meeting

Parent Coordinator Contract Update