Members Present:
Jean Gullikson, Citizen, Chair
Marvin O’Hare, Citizen, Secretary
Christopher Bode, Service Consumer
Lynne Devaney, Dubuque Schools
Bob Blok, Asbury City Council
Paul Buss, County Health Department
Joanne Wurtz, Citizen
Larry Loeppke, Dubuque School Board
June Brandenburg, Western Dubuque School Board
Russ Stecklein, Justice System Representative
Mary Rose Corrigan, City Health Department
Arnie Honkamp, Iowa Empowerment Board
Jim Osterberger, Archdiocese of Dubuque
Louise Ottavi, Faith Citizen

Members Absent:
Kate Perrin, Business Citizen
Wayne Demmer, Board of Supervisors
Kerry Schadl, Citizen
Tina Brestrup, Western Dubuque Schools
Lori Frick, DHS

Guests:
Amy Kallaher, Parents as Teachers (PAT)
Karri Newman, PAT
Nan Colin, VNA
Tammy Bardon, Clarke College Student
Tara Roddick, CCR&R, Empowerment

Empowerment Staff:
Sherri Edwards, Director
Dawn Klein, QCCA Coordinator
Cynthia Cechota, Communication Specialist

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 12:04 p.m. by Jean Gullikson, Chair, and introductions were made. There was no in-service session this month. A quorum was present.

In-Kind Form: A form circulated for board members to fill in for the month.

Approval of Minutes: Marv moved; Bob seconded, approving the October 23, 2007, minutes as written. Motion was carried unanimously.

Consent Agenda: Reports included October financials, Early Childhood, School Ready/Health, Personnel, Public Relations, Long-Range Planning, Quality Child Care Alliance (QCCA), and Early Access. Christopher moved to approve consent items; Russ seconded. Motion was carried unanimously.

Director’s Report: Sherri highlighted the busy month, including activities such as Kids Expo, Early Childhood Congress, new office plans, and hiring new staff. She offered to answer any questions. Jean commended Sherri for her efforts.

Action Items:

1. Change to PAT’s Family Support for 0-3 – Joanne explained challenges in hiring staff for the 0-3 program according to grant terms. To date, this has impacted the number of children served. Thus, after lengthy consideration, the School Ready/Health Committee recommended a change to grant terms, so PAT can hire the best person for the bilingual part-time position. Board members discussed. Amy explained the current staff structure and filled positions. Larry wondered why we wouldn’t continue looking until we find a bilingual person. Joanne responded that the grant was awarded last winter and funds needed to be spent – there are many children on the waiting list. Mary Rose asked if a nonbilingual candidate could take diversity or cultural compensatory training. Amy said they do offer that. Christopher asked if the RFP required a bilingual speaker (suggested it in desired guidelines) and if Amy wrote it in the grant (yes). Joanne moved to change PAT 0-3 grant terms to hire the best qualified candidate. Larry seconded. Motion was carried unanimously.

2. Budget for PAT’s Family Support for 0-3 and a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Remaining Funds – Joanne detailed the School Ready/Health Committee’s discussion on sustaining PAT for the 0-3 program and potential leftover funds under this budget item. Amy said Four Oaks received the grant in February 2007 to run a 12-month program, so there is a gap in the fiscal year. Board members asked questions, including on the approximate amount of remaining funds if PAT is sustained (approximately $80,000 depending on the exact PAT budget). Remaining funds can be used only for programs that meet State family support criteria. Mary Rose said she could approve the RFP but didn’t know how realistic it was given a quick turnaround. Russ asked about shifting the population. Sherri responded that program sustainability was an issue. Russ moved to approve the School Ready/Health’s recommendation to budget for PAT 0-3 for the remaining fiscal year and to issue an RFP for the remaining funds. Mary Rose seconded. Motion was carried unanimously.

3. Self Assessment – Mary Rose summarized the new board assessment process, part of redesignation. It will be more interactive than in past years. Mary Rose moved to dedicate January to the self assessment with a boxed lunch and Marv seconded. Motion was carried unanimously. Jim will supply the tech equipment. Guests are welcome. The agenda will include only a short business meeting. It’s critical for board members to attend. Questions and topics were included in the Board packet this month.

Old Business:

1. New Year Financials – Arnie discussed the format again to ensure members could read it. He’s hoping in the next few months to have a more actual representation of the new financial layout.

2. Office Space Update – Sherri had an attorney review the lease, and he returned some points of clarification. As a result, Tom Kane, the property owner, is adjusting the lease. Possession date is Saturday, December 1. The new space is 600 square feet in the Cove Building at Fountain Park. Telephone and computers will have to go up and that will be researched.

3. Child at Heart Award & Early Childhood Congress – Sherri gave members a summary of the presentation for Chris McCarron, the recipient of the State Child at Heart Award, at the Early Childhood Congress. A video was made of the presentation and Chris’ well-received acceptance speech. Sherri will bring the video and photos to a future meeting. Sherri listed those who attended the congress, and said there were a good variety of sessions. She will have a more formal report for the Board. One idea she came back with concerns board development – to create job descriptions and expectations for board members, which also can be used as a recruiting piece. Amy reported her positive experience, saying she focused on Family Support and the new standards coming out.

New Business:

1. State Empowerment Activities Report – Sherri said the next state quarterly meeting is on December 12. Arnie had nothing to share except that his term on the Iowa Empowerment Board is nearly up; for various reasons, he is considering not renewing.

2. Mississippi Valley Promise Report – Lynne offered to share information from Every Child/Every Promise since she is already on the committee. She reported that the committee has collated information into 44 pages of suggestions from providers at the culminating event this month. The biggest surprise was that parent education was the biggest request. Seventy people attended, but there were gaps as the faith community was not well represented.

3. QCCA Update – Dawn gave an update of current activities in the community and at subcommittee meetings. She has focused on Kids Expo, a survey of parents on child care, and the stipend program for child care provider tuition. Emily Painter wrote an article for the Tri-State Business Times on investing in child care. Dawn will work on planning for the next visit from the Smart Start consultant to work on a model for quality child care. Arnie said through the Subsidy Subcommittee, they are surveying current cost of care and good information is coming in to use when planning the model. Following that, the group will consider funding sources.

4. State Family Support Peer Review Process – Joanne reported that this is the first year the review process has been available to assist areas with identifiable concerns and problems. The School Ready/Health Committee discussed this opportunity for Dubuque County and decided not to apply this year as our area may not meet the selection criteria; however, they will be open to it in the future.

5. Redesignation Material – This is a reminder that the Long-Range Planning Committee will be using the January Board meeting for the self assessment.

6. Bylaws Review – With Mary Rose unavailable, Sherri said the Long-Range Planning Committee has been busy rewriting the bylaws. Currently, the city attorney is looking at them to ensure compliance with open meeting and records laws. The Board will receive them in January. The two-vote process is coming soon.

7. Community Input – There was no input from the community.

Other:

1. City of Dubuque Opportunity – Jean said the City of Dubuque is celebrating its 175th anniversary and will offer a series of grants we could apply for from $200-$5,000. The Public Relations Committee is looking for approval for applying for this for the annual coloring contest. The deadline is December 14. The consensus was to investigate it further.

2. QCCA Feedback – Larry commented there is an energy about the QCCA that he finds exciting.

3. News – Tara reported that her baby is due in February and will be on maternity leave until April.

Adjournment/Next Meeting: By consensus, the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m. The next meeting is on January 22, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) at Keystone AEA.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Cechota, Communication Specialist, Dubuque County Empowerment