Minutes from January 12, 2005

Due to poor road conditions, attendance was low.  As we only meet quarterly, we choose to have the meeting with those in attendance.

Attendance:  Joyce Harmsen, Darcy Lokers, Dave Borth, LouAnn Gregory, Betsy Cope, and Karen Schneider

Updates:

Fun Nights--due to low attendance in Morley-Stanwood and Chippewa Hills locations, those fun nights have been cancelled until June.  Reed City and Evart fun nights will run as scheduled for February, and will be reviewed for continuation pending attendance.  Staff time has been reallocated to provide more home visits.

Playgroups/Story Hours/Dad & Me Breakfast--Playgroup attendance continues to be steady at most locations.  Evart location was discontinued due to lack of attendance.  McGill (in Morley Stanwood) was sold so playgroups have been moved to Aetna Township Hall in Morley and Mecosta Township Hall in Roger's Heights.   Dad & Me Breakfast continues to draw a good crowd and dads have really begun to take ownership over the event--we just provide the pancakes and venue. 

Parenting Classes--  These sessions are going along fine---please encourage families to attend.  Families in attendance are encourage to continue learning and being supported through the weekly parenting support group held at MMCAA every Thursday night.  Darcy spoke about the the goal to continue these sessions and hopefully families will get to know that every Thursday night there is an opportunity available where parents can go for support in their important role.  Currently, Little Ceasars donates pizza and an intern from Ferris donates her time.

Teen Parenting Groups--there is a need for these sessions to continue in each district.  We continue to see a need for these classes and are encouraged by attendance at the sessions. 

Home Visits--we are continuing to see families and notice an increased amount of stress families are experiencing.  Family needs are on the rise and resources are on the decline.  Creativity is crucial and forming good working relationships with other service providers and with families is the key to moving these families forward.  We are currently visiting about 250 children.

Mailed Visits--we are mailing age specific information, books, ASQs, and activities and materials to 378 children each month.  Feedback from families has been positive.  We included a postcard in January's mailing for families to return if they want to continue receiving packets.

Better Kid Care Series--attendance continues to be stable and these events will continue next year at the will of partnering agencies.  Collaboration on this project has been the key to their success and we hope to only make next year's series as much fun and successful at the past years.  December's workshop was very well attended (40) and participants made stress balls, gift wrap and bags, rice socks, and centerpieces or swags made from fresh greens.  There was much laughter and stress relief during this session.

We currently have 779 kids on the active database and 624 families.

Funding/Grants--we met with the MOISD business manager and we are looking better than expected for next year--it pays to be conservative!.  We will have to make cuts, but will be able to keep more of the program in place than we originally anticipated.  Several small grants have been submitted--it is a time consuming process and much of the funding usually goes for "stuff" rather than for operating expenses, but every little bit helps and enhances what we are able to provide and offer families.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Kids Count Data--there was a brief discussion about the data reflected on data sheets for Mecosta and Osceola Counties (get them here www.milhs.org) and how we should report that information out to the public to help interpret what this data means in our community, including unique characteristics and special circumstances.  We will look at this document and work to integrate this information with the White Paper put out by the Intermediate School District Association .  As you look at the data, if you have any comments or would like to discuss the data, please call the office at 592-9605 as it will enhance the article I pull together for the paper.

Next meeting will be on Wednesday, April 20, 8:30 AM in Miller South.  Executive Board meets one week prior on April 13 at 8:30 AM in the Early Success office.

We THANK YOU for your continued support and hope you are able to make our April meeting.  Remember April is Month of the Young Child.