Minutes of the November 14, 2001 Steering Committee Meeting

Attendance:                             

Karen Schneider, Betsy Cope, Sherry Franklin, Cindy Bay-Barron, Tom Hogenson, Carol Larimer, Charlotte Thompson, Joyce Harmsen, Cindy Buege, Pam Forbes, Liza Ing, Cindy Maans, Jerilyn Scheid, Jeanette Fleury, Laura Leach, Pam McClelland, Jeremy Smith, Michelle Gabalis, Julie Vanhala, Brenda Kailing, Sherry Marks, Sharon Thorp, Leona Moreno, Diana Bongard, LouAnn Gregory, Stan DeVoir, Terry Conklin and Linda Myers 

The meeting was opened with a welcome from Fleury followed by introductions. 

Item I.  Update

a.                   Schneider reported that as of 10/31/01 enrollment status for the program is 348 families, including 470 children.  She then asked each of the project coordinators to give a brief summary of the events in their respective district:

1.         Bongard, Big Rapids:  The family fun night in November will feature “box” night.  The boxes will be set up for different activities for the children (i.e. a maze, basketball hoops).  The Ferris State University (FSU) Dental program will have representatives on site for a brief presentation on brushing and flossing techniques. A turkey dinner will be served to all attendees.  Playgroups have been set up to meet twice a month at Evergreen and FSU.

2.         Thorp, Evart: Evart’s family fun night centered on fire safety with representatives from the fire department on site for a presentation. A Thanksgiving dinner was served.  The district holds two playgroups a month and is working on the development of a high school teen parenting program.

3.                   Marks, Chippewa Hills:  Because the Chippewa Hills district is so wide-spread, five playgroups are held each month - one in Remus, one in Chippewa Lake, one in Barryton and two in Weidman).  Marks reported that just under 100 people attended their last family fun night.  Catering was provided by the elementary school cooks, which proved to work out extremely well.  She hopes to be able to utilize their services again.

4.                   Gregory, Reed City:  “Forest Animals and Friends” is the theme for November’s family fun night at the Hersey Kindergarten School.  A turkey dinner will be held at this site, also.  Gregory reported that the Reed City playgroups will be combined with the Reed City Story Hour group and will meet once a month.  The district is working on organizing a “Dad’s” breakfast.

5.                   Moreno, Morley Stanwood:  This district holds a playgroup every week at the McGill School.  Last week the group made applesauce with the use of an apple press.  Moreno reported that the teen-parent program was not successful; however, the teen-parents are being seen by home visitors.  Discussion on how to bring the teens together took place with Fleury advising that ArtWorks provides grant dollars for art-related projects. Scrap-booking came up as a possible means in which to bring the teen parents together. 

b.                   Media Campaign:  Schneider reported that the ASAP-PIE program bought into the statewide media campaign, “Be Their Hero, from Age Zero”.  Our program can incorporate this campaign into our local advertising.  The brochure will be revised to include the statewide campaign logo. 

c.                   Hiring:  A posting will go out November 15, 2001 for hiring five more parent educators for the program.  We hope to have them start work with us effective January 7, 2002.

d.                   Stories from the Home Front:  

Jeremy Smith, Parent Educator from Reed City reported that one of the families he has been working with was in need of finding a place to live.  Through Jeremy’s efforts and working with local resources, this family has found a home.   

Pamela McClelland, Parent Educator from Big Rapids reported that with one of the families she was seeing there was concern about the child’s motor development.  Through working with the parent and the child, the child is making progress.  A second story was told about a family who were so active that they rarely had time to sit down together for a meal. Their concern was for the youngest child who did not use tableware to eat.  Through discussion with the parents, they realized it was because the child did not have “time” nor a “roll-model” to learn this task.  The family now takes time to sit down together to eat. 

II.         Workgroup Reports: 

a.       Day Care Workgroup:  Schneider reported that 30 people met at the Holiday Inn on November 8, 2001 for dinner.  The purpose of this meeting was to pool resources and ideas in how we could help in (1) transitioning four-year-olds to kindergarten, (2) help center to obtain State accreditation, and (3) brainstorming ways in which we could provide services for the centers. 

b.       Evaluation Workgroup:  Ing has requested baseline enrollment data from fall, 2000.  Data should  include those being served by Special Education, the School Readiness and Head Start programs. 

c.       Resource and Referral Workgroup:  A resource referral directory has been placed on the Early Success – Right from the Start website which will be available in the near future.  Entered into this site currently is the Early On directory.  Early On is in process of updating their resource referral book and will forward these updates.  The 4Cs awareness packet will also be included.  This workgroup will meet in the future, as necessary. 

III.       Group Daycare Issue, Big Rapids:   

Schneider passed out clipping from the November 6, 2001 issue of THE PIONEER, stating,  “The Big Rapids City Commission accepted a petition asking for a repeal of a zoning ordinance section which allows group day care homes in R-1 neighborhoods with a special use permit”. Larimer explained this acceptance will place the issue on the August, 2002 ballot.  No further action will take place until after the vote. 

IV.       Other Issues:    

a.       Schneider announced the resignation of Mike Bell from the Steering Committee and expressed a need for a representative from the Chippewa Hills district to fill this vacancy. 

b.       About 35,000 Ready Kits are available from the National level for purchase.  Prices for the old kits are $4.50 – infant, $3.80 – toddler and preschool.  New kits will be available for purchase later at $6.00 – infant and $5.60 – toddler and preschool. 

c.       Gabalis provided more information on RSV (an early childhood respiratory virus) detection, prevention and care.  

d.       Scheid reported that the Baby Links program was cut, but is now back in place under a new name, Project Child (an infant mental health program).  A posting has been issued for a Director for the program. 

V.        Adjournment:  This meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.  

The next Executive Board Meeting:  January 23, 2001 at the Early Success – Right from the Start office (Alt Ed Building).  Starting promptly at 8:30 a.m. 

Next Steering Committee Meeting:   January 30, 2002, Miller Wing, North, starting promptly at 8:30 a.m.

       Original signed by Karen Schneider