Minutes of the Council Meetingheld atSelf Help, Inc. Head Start

September 18, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.

Council Members Present:Susan Blaney, Joni Block, Michele Brown, Joyce Diorio, Lenore Erwin,Patricia Foley, Carol Godfrey, Joyce Harriman, Ruthie Harris, Euphemia Jones, Barbara Lee, Deborah Macomber, Deborah McDonald, Ann Mello, Pamela Memmolo, Theresa Molloy, Jessica Mutascio, Patti Plummer-Wilson, Lela Spekin, Inez Springer, Karen Voisine

Guests Present: Sharron Burrowes, Cassandra Murphy, Deborah Ritson

  1. WELCOME

(M. Brown) The meeting was convened by Council Co-Chairperson, Michele Brown at 6:40 P.M. Everyone introduced themselves. Lela Spekin, BCPC Executive Secretary, gave a brief overview of the Council meeting structure and an introduction to parliamentary procedure that is followed. Joni Block, BCPC Grant Specialist and Council Co-Chairperson, briefly explained the purpose of Council meetings and described the membership of the Council. She also explained the duties of the elected Board.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the Council meeting of May 15, 2007 were approved unanimously.

III. PROGRAM UPDATES

  1. Brockton Public Schools - (J. Block) Joni distributed a written report, indicating that 131 children are enrolled at the KeithSchool and 21 are enrolled at the PaineSchool. Transportation is being provided to 45 children in the morning session and 38 children in the afternoon. Joni mentioned that a number of children in the KeithSchool program are children with disabilities and are receiving services on site.
  2. Head Start - (P. Foley) Pat reported that 56 Brockton Head Start children are receiving an extended day program through Brockton Community Partnerships. The first day of Head Start is September 26, 2007.
  3. Home, Health & Child Care - (C. Godfrey)Carol distributed a written report detailing the child care subsidy statistics and providing updates on NAEYC and CDA. The accreditation / CDA status of each participating center and family child care provider was also listed. HHCC Training Department has gone online. To access the calendar, visit: Carol highlighted the new training for center directors on staff qualifications as well as the new center-based CDA group that is being formed.

A motion to accept the program reports as presented was approved unanimously.

IV. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

A report was presented by the Accreditation / CDA / Appeals / Tuition Reimbursement Subcommittee:

(L. Erwin) Lenore presented a written report of the subcommittee meeting that had been held in July. Waiver requests that had been received will be presented to the Board. Cover letters and tracking forms were not sent to providers until July 31, 2007. Due to the delay in receiving these, the subcommittee requested that an extension be granted.

The following motion was approved unanimously: The subcommittee will send out another letter to all providers, notifying them that the extension datefor tracking forms to be received byisOctober 15, 2007.

The subcommittee report as presented wasaccepted by unanimous approval.

V. OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business brought forth.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

  1. Current subcommittee chairpersons gave a brief summary of the responsibility of each subcommittee. New subcommittee sign-up sheets were circulated during the process.
  2. EEC Update – (J. Block) Joni mentioned several of the EEC initiatives including the Early Childhood Educator Scholarship Program and the Workforce Development Report. She encouraged everyone to regularly visit the EEC website, in order to stay current with new developments that come from EEC as well as to learn more about the department’s mission and goals and to obtain information on CPC quality requirements. (M. Brown) Michele added that EEC is still in the process of drafting new regulations, which are also available online.

Joni also mentioned the upcoming conference “A View from All Sides”, which takes place on November 5, 2007 and is sponsored by The Children’s Trust Fund, The Lowell Institute, and Wheelock College. The Planning Committee for the conference was accepting nominations for the Parenting Education Recognition Leadership Award and the Emerging Leader Award which will be presented at the conference. The deadline for submission was September 21, 2007.

  1. HHCC’s Fall 2007 training calendar

(C. Godfrey) Carol reiterated that there would not be a mailing for the Fall Training Calendar unless a hard copy was specifically requested. The entire calendar is online.

D. Foundation For Learning Grant

(J. Block) Joni explained that a federal grant had been awarded to BCPC with a focus on child mental health. The amount of the grant is $176,000. A case management model in Lowell is being replicated. The team will consist of a behavior management specialist, aka School Adjustment Counselor hired by BPS; a part-time social worker hired under subcontract with BAMSI, and 2-3 full or part-time paraprofessionals who will work directly in programs to support children’s success.There may also be an opportunity for child care providers to receive professional development from the school adjustment counselor. The grant covers a 1 year period that will end on 6/30/08. There is a strong likelihood that funding may continue an additional 6 months, whichis through December 31, 2008. In response to a question about how many children will be reached, Joni estimated that approximately 50 Brockton kids between the ages of 2 – 6 will be serviced. However, she expects that the effect will be wider in strengthening community bonds. Joni and the newly hired school adjustment counselor will be going to Lowell to visit the model program soon. Joni asked if anyone has ideas pertaining to this project, please email her at . A question about the projects focus on mental health versus special needs liaison work was addressed. (B. Lee) Barbara explained the hope for the link between the use of the CPC teachers in community child care centers and the communication with mental health specialists/agencies as a collaborative effort that may be a result of the project. (J. Block) Joni responded to a question about referrals, stating that all referrals will be considered. She noted that professional development efforts may be targeted for family child care providers. (I. Springer) Inez asked how people will find out about the project. Joni stated that a flyer/brochure will be developed and disseminated and the Director’s Network will be utilized as a venue for disseminating information.

Finally, Joni stated that by the time of the next Council meeting, the school adjustment counselor will be hired and the project should be up and running.

E. Membership of Council

It was noted than in order to increase interest on the Council, each member should consider bringing a friend to the next meeting.

F. Meeting Hospitality

(J. Block) Joni initiated a discussion about whether or not to have food at meetings and how to facilitate same. (B. Lee) Barbara acknowledged that there has been quite a range of food offered from complete dinners to nothing. She suggested that keeping it simple such as water, coffee, fruit, cookies and sharing the cost after it has been provided might be a nice compromise. People would sign up to assume responsibility for the food. Barbara and Joni agreed to provide something for the next Council meeting, and after that it would be decided who and what would come next.

G. Other New Business

(S. Burrowes) Sharronasked questions about email communication with BPSKeithSchool teachers. (B. Lee) Barbara responded that BPS policy does not allow teachers to share email addresses at the present time. Joni Block offered her email address to Sharron in case she had concerns that needed to be addressed in that manner. Sharron also questioned the problem of lack of adequate playgrounds in the city. Barbara explained the past history of CPC playground funding and the fact that maintenance of the playground equipment was not funded therefore creating the problems we face today.

VII. COMMUNITY AWARENESS ANNOUNCEMENTS

(J. Block) The Brockton Public School CPC program was highlighted by Joni Block.

Pat Foley agreed to assume the highlight for Head Start at the next Council meeting in November.

VIII.ADJOURNMENT

The Council meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00P.M.

Several door prize raffles were drawn, courtesy of gifts provided by HHCC.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for November 13, 2007at 6:30 P.M. It will be held at Self Help Head Start on 370 Howard Street, Brockton.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16, 2007at 5:15 P.M.It will be held at Self Help Head Start on 370 Howard Street, Brockton.

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