Steering Committee Meeting Minutes - June 6, 2001

 The June 6, 2001 Early Success – Right from the Start Steering Committee meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. in the Mecosta-Osceola ISD’s Mecosta Room.  In attendance were:  

Terry Conklin, Superintendent, MOISD: Linda Myers, Assistant Superintendent, MOISD; Denise Robinson, Business Manager, MOISD; Dave Borth, Project Co-creator, Big Rapids Public Schools – HSCB; Jeannette Fluery, Project Co-creator; Karen Schneider, Director, Early Success-Right from the Start; Leona Moreno, Coordinator, Morley-Stanwood; LouAnn Gregory, Coordinator, Reed City; Diana Bongard, Coordinator, Big Rapids; Sharon Thorp, Coordinator, Evart; Betsy Cope, Project Assistant (recorder for committee); Liza Ing, Associate Professor, Ferris State University; Trish McHugh, Family Independence Manager, Family Independence Agency; Charlotte Thompson, Extension Educator, MSU Extension, Mecosta County; Shannon Lindquist, Extension Educator, MSU Extension, Osceola County; Pam Forbes, Executive Director, WISE; Cindy Manns, Coordinator, Mecosta-Osceola Early On; Julie VanHala, Assistant, Mecosta-Osceola Early On; Cindy Bay-Barron, Prevention Planner, CMH, Staff to Mecosta and Osceola Counties, HSCB; Becky Johnson, Supervisor, Central Michigan Health Department, Osceola County; Marsha Walters, MCH Coordinator, District 10 Health Department; Linda VanGills, Administration, District 10 Health Department; Sarah Phillips, Coordinator, Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency, Osceola County; Carol Larimer, Clinical Social Worker, Mecosta County HSCB; Tom Hogenson, Public Relations Manger, Mecosta County General Hospital; John VonBonn, Superintendent, Big Rapids Public Schools; John Ruddell, Director of Finance, Chippewa Hills School Disctrict; Sherry Franklin, School Social Worker, Eastwood Elementary; Deborah Bean, School Counselor, Evart Public Schools; Michelle Gabalis, Stay-at-Home mother; Laura Leach, Homemaker

Karen Schneider welcomed all and submitted a brief summary of the accomplishments made to date (meetings and conferences attended, hiring of the parent educators, pamphlets and other materials purchased with the “Early Success – Right from the Start” logo, etc.).  The parent educators training programs, Healthy Families American and Parents as Teachers have been scheduled to begin June 11.   She invited those interested to participate in the training as openings are available. 

Dave Borth and Jeanette Fleury summarized how the grant was proposed and acknowledged that it was the collaboration of many agencies and people that made it a reality.

The question as to whether families might be receiving an overwhelming number of visits from several agencies was raised.  The use of the “Blue Book” as utilized by Cindy Maans was discussed.  This book is a tracking source for all agencies, holding agency business cards, a calendar, a notes-page for the parent(s) and a summary of visits made.

The executive board and special work groups were discussed with the following results:

  Executive Board                                                    Members at Large                   

 Chair............... Jeanette Fluery                                      Pam Forbes

Vice Chair....... Becky Johnson                                      Linda Myers

Secretary......... Denise Robinson                                   Michelle Gabalis

                                                                        Brenda Kailing

                                                                                    Shannon Lindquist

                                                                                    Mike Bell

                                                                                    Sarah Phillips                             

Work Groups 

Home Visitors            Resource Referral                  Evaluation                Media

                                          Network                           

Brenda Kailing              Sarah Phillips                            Liza Ing                  Terry Conklin

Sherry Franklin              Cindy Maans                             HSCB Reps            and fellow ISD 

Julie Vanhala                Cindy Bay-Barron                     ISD and School       Superintendents

Trish McHugh                                                               Districts

Cindy Maans                                          

Tom Hogensen discussed the importance of setting “interim benchmarks” as a means to identify the project’s operation and whether it is meeting the needs of the child/family/ community. These measurements can be utilized to make necessary changes to achieve set goals.

Karen Schneider advised that all home visitors will attend a safety training program conducted by Sherry Franklin.

Michelle Gabalis stated that reaching out to expectant parents could be done through information provided to them through childbirth classes, breastfeeding classes, etc.  She stated she belonged to Mothers of Twins (MOTS) which would also benefit from this program.  Laura Leach agreed and added the Mothers of Preschoolers would be another group to contact.  Pediatricians would also be a good source for networking. 

The topic of raising community awareness about the importance of early childhood and a regional media campaign were discussed.  Terry Conklin has been in contact with other ISD superintendents in the region regarding a regional media campaign. 

The group agreed that all present were there to meet one goal…to reach out to all families with a child (children) between the ages of 0 to 5 and provide the appropriate service or referral where indicated, as well as networking opportunities…services that are both free and confidential. 

The next Steering Committee Meeting is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. on August 1, 2001 at the Mecosta-Osceola ISD’s Mecosta Room. 

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.