March 27, 2002

 

TO:                  Steering Committee Members

                        Early Success – Right from the Start

 

FROM:             Karen Schneider, Director

  

RE:  Minutes of the March 27, 2002 Steering Committee Meeting

 

Attendance:                 

Karen Schneider, Betsy Cope, Liza Ing, Jerilyn Scheid, Jeanette Fleury, Michelle Gabalis, Julie Vanhala, Sherry Marks, Jennifer ONeil, Teresa Simm, Sharon Thorp, Leona Moreno, Diana Bongard, LouAnn Gregory, Stan DeVoir, Danielle Marek, Sherry Franklin, Becky Johnson, Trish McHugh, Darcy Lokers.

 

The meeting was opened with a welcome from Fleury.

 

Item I.  Update: Schneider reported:

a.      Enrollment status to date is 504 families, including 643 children.  The Staff has made approximately 5000 home visits and 1200 ASQs.

b.      Budget carryover for Year 2 is indefinite.

c.      Leach has stepped down as a member (parent) of the Steering Committee. We hope to have a program parent from each of the five school districts become members of the committee.

d.      Group received a thank you from Sarah Parsons, representing the MOISD Board of Directors for the program update and the hearing and vision screening conducted at their last meeting.

e.      The TV 7&4 Heroes of Education project named their first hero, nominated by Julie Vanhala of Early On and Early Success – Right from the Start: Angie Peters of the MOISD. Congratulations to Angie.  Of the 56 nominations received by TV 7&4, 26 came from the MOISD.  Winners are announced weekly, Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

 

Bay-Barron stated she was attending a meeting in Lansing and visited Representative Rick Johnson’s office.  He showed her all of the letters received in support of the ASAP-PIE program.  He seemed to be very much impressed.

 

II.              Trainings:

a.      Home Visiting Training:  Simm informed the group that this training consisted of two parts.  Part A was on home visiting surrounding the child bearing years and impacted what happens after the child is born.  One strong point learned was how to be non-judgmental when dealing with families.  Part B was aimed at substance use and abuse and violence within the home.  Recognizing the signs and knowing how to act on them as well as seeking out resources to assist in this area was detailed.

b.      Boys! Boys! Boys!: O’Neil reported that this conference was for better understanding the behavior, learning styles and classroom needs of young boys. Because boys are “wired” to the right side of the brain they have a tendency to be more active and need to be kept moving to increase their brainpower.  Lack of stimulation brings on boredom leading to misbehavior.  It was suggested that this conference be brought to the Big Rapids Area for area early childhood professionals and educators. 

c.      Michigan’s Association for the Education of Young Children (MIAEYC): Thorp reported that this was a three day conference offering various focus sessions and workshops for people working with young children, including such topics as administration and staffing; child development; curriculum; parents and families; advocacy and public policy; professional development; discipline and guidance; and assessment.

                d.      Music and Movement: Moreno reported that through                         music and movement children are able to attain about                         90% what they learn.  The Creative Thinking group have                         scheduled Kathy Poelker’s “Music and Movement” for                         May 3 at the ISD’s Miller Wing.

e.      Autism: Marks shared that the session on autism presented by Sally Hoyle at Ingham ISD offered basic information.  A story about an adult woman sharing her feelings living with autism both as a child and as an adult was related.  This woman has learned to live with her disability and function normally in society.

f.       Asperger’s Syndrome:  Schneider stated that Asperger’s syndrome is the upper end of the autism spectrum where affected people can be high functioning with proper planning and care taking. One having Asperger’s tends to be very affluent on a particular subject, yet lacks social skills. Asperger’s disease is a fairly new issue, only just starting to get attention since 1996.

g.      Childbirth Classes: Bongard reported she attended the last childbirth class of this session and presented the Early Success – Right from the Start program and video information.  Three of eight couples in this group signed up for the program.

h.      Dad’s Breakfast:  Gregory informed the group that this program has been successful and will continue meeting the second Saturday of each month at the Eastside Café in Big Rapids.

 

III.               Committee Reports:

a.      Creative Thinking:  Schneider stated that flyers for several conference/training sessions have been printed.  The first presentation was held on March 19 with Phil Hamberg speaking. “Soothing the Savage Beast from the Inside Out” was the topic--working with children dealing with issues of trauma, anger, neglect, etc.  The basic rule is that these children need consistency (representing trust) brought into their lives.  A casual meal is available at the workgroup.  Childcare will also be available beginning with the May 16 workgroup. Future events are listed on the website.

b.      Curriculum Explorers:  Ing stated that two curriculums to link 0-3 and 3-5 training are being investigated: Building Strong Families through Michigan State University and “Train the Trainer, Growing Great Kids (0-3 program).  Growing Great Kids is in the process of adding the 3-5 curriculum.  The Hawaii Early Learning Program is a home-based training for “help at home” and preschool.  The group is currently waiting for more information on these programs.

c.      Resource and Referral: Marks stated that changes have been made to the awareness packet.  Buege is in the process of inputting information, combining the awareness packet and the current Early On resource guide.

 

IV.       Special Projects:

                  a.   Hearing and Vision:  Marks reported that vision and hearing screenings were presented during preschool and kindergarten roundups with information and referrals made to the Health

                        Department.  A follow up should be made within 30 days of the screening. 

b.      Month of the Young Child (MOYC): Schneider stated that the Downtown Business Association is working with us on this project.  Purple ribbons identifying MOYC will be placed around town.  A kids’ concert and puppet show will be held at the Eagles on April 9.  April 20 will bring children and their families to the Big Rapids Middle School for kid-related activities.  Tables will be available for agencies working with young children to inform families of what is available for them within the Mecosta and Osceola community.  Farmer John and Star Lab will also be available for family entertainment.  Finally, on April 25, there will be a parade from the Backroom Decorating Center to Hemlock Park.  ASAP-PIE will hand out bags of goodies to all.  TV 7&4 will be on site as well as other medias.  Legislative representatives have been invited to attend.

c.      Early On Conference: Vanhala reported that approximately 250 people have enrolled for the conference being held at the Holiday Inn on April 12.  Childcare will be provided for the 57 children included on registrations.  Twenty agencies from Mecosta and Osceola counties are scheduled to be on site with informational items during the conference.  A single notebook with information on all sessions will be available for all participants at conference sign in.

V.            Summer Plans:

Artworks and Early Success – Right from the Start have teamed up.  Lisa Barnum of Artworks and Schneider have outlined the following shared-events for the summer season:

1.      Sidewalk days at the storefront of Artworks

2.      Art with grandparents at the Senior Center

3.      Playgroups with grandparents at the Senior Center

4.      River Days

5.      Free activities for children through the Big Rapids Jaycees

6.      Stage M presents Showboat at Hemlock Part – we will have a puppet show

 

VI.       Other Issues:

1.      The Big Rapids office will move into the Early Childhood Center sometime this summer. 

2.      Gabalis reported that “Mothers of Twins” would be holding a garage sale on April 27 at the Big Rapids Middle School.  Hours of the sale are unknown at this time.

3.      McHugh reported on the state of the SSI and Cash Assistance programs.  Some of our families will be impacted by these changes due to the increase in work time requirements.

4.      Fleury questioned how the transition from one program to another for a child was working. Vanhala stated that she felt communication between the program and Early On was very good.

5.      Fleury commended the Administrative staff of the program for their work and the progress of the program to date.  She said she was very satisfied with their efforts.

 

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

 

 

The next Executive Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at the Right from the Start office (Alt Ed Building), starting promptly at 8:30 a.m.

 

The next Steering Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at the Miller Wing North, starting promptly at 8:30 a.m.

 

Original signed by Karen Schneider