DRAFT MINUTES

 

MANSFIELD ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Mansfield Town Hall, Conference Room C

6:30-8:30 PM

 

PRESENT: J. Buck (Chair), S. Baxter (staff), J. Goldman, Kathleen Mahoney, P. Wheeler, K. Paulhus, A. Bloom, Judy Stoughton, N. Hovorka, B. Lehmann, K. Grunwald (staff)

REGRETS: S. Patwa, R. Leclerc, L. Bailey, K.Vallo, M.J. Newman

 

I.                     INTRODUCTIONS/MINUTES:

A.     Introductions – The meeting was convened at 6:35 PM. K. Mahoney was introduced as a new member

 

B.     Adoption of minutes: The minutes of the August 23, 2006 meeting were accepted as written.

 

C.    Thank You:  S. Baxter acknowledged different ways in which members have contributed to the work of MAC.

 

Mansfield Family Information Packet Assembly:  Becky Lehmann, Katherine Paulhus, Joan Buck, Maria Dickson

Comments on Discovery Program Survey :  Anne Bladen, Joan Buck, Kathleen Mahoney, Jane Goldman, Mary Jane Newman, Maria Dickson, Becky Lehmann, Kate Vallo

Multi-Cultural Connections Team Event:  Kate Vallo, Judy Stoughton

Know Your Town Fair:  Joan Buck

Festival on the Green:  Joan Buck

The New “M”:  Maria Dickson

Northwood Apartments Last Event: Katherine Paulhaus, Jane Goldman, Nancy Hovorka

School Readiness Special Task Force :  Lisa Dahn, Mary Jane

Newman, Katherine Paulhus, Susan Daley, Anne Bladen, Jane Goldman

Discovery Audio Conference on Voters Attitudes on ECE: Joan Buck, Rachel Leclerc, Anneliese Rilley

Week of the Young Child Sub-Committee:  Ande Bloom, Joan Buck, Pam Wheeler

 

II.                   COMMUNICATIONS (Consent Agenda, unless otherwise noted)

 

A.     CT Early Childhood Cabinet Top 10 Priorities Ready by 5 & Fine by 9: S. Baxter reported that the Governor’s cabinet, chaired by Dr. Janice Gruendel, has identified the top 10 priorities for children in the state and are looking for feedback on these.  J. Goldman attended one of the feedback sessions, and her group felt that Center Directors need more resources to address the full scope of needs of children.  The group of family daycare providers from Windham impressed her.  A. Bloom mentioned that she has presented to the Windham Family Childcare group, and reports that this is a very active group. 

 

B.     MAC Meeting Calendar for 10/06-7/06

 

C.    School Readiness Space Allocation Policy         

 

      III.        NEW BUSINESS:

 

A.                 Small Group Break-Out Sessions:

·        Northwood Apartments Outreach Group-Event 10/7/06: S. Baxter reported that they are sponsoring an activity this Saturday, and they have received a grant to develop a brochure on the programs they are offering to residents.  The branch manager from the Storrs office of People’s Bank will be volunteering for this event.  A. Bloom contacted the university, and found out that they are hiring someone to work in the office for off-campus housing who will be able to serve as a resource for students.  The office of international students will provide assistance to a specific request.

·        Kindergarten Forum:  no discussion.

·        Week of the Young Child Activities: no discussion in large group.

 

B.                 School Readiness Task Force Policy on Space Allocations: A quorum was not present for a vote on the proposed policy on Allocation of School Readiness Spaces.  B. Lehmann raised some questions about wording, and also questioned what the process will be for appointing the fourth member if the Center Directors are unable to reach consensus.  K. Paulhus suggested adding another member to this decision-making process.  N. Hovorka suggested accepting this as it is and seeing how it works.  There was also some discussion about what the role of MAC is in revising this policy, as opposed to simply voting on it.  S. Baxter will send out an email to all MAC members with a slight correction in the wording of the policy.

 

C.                MAC Supporting Childcare Cost for ABC’s of Parenting: S. Baxter reminded members that MAC agreed to provide financial support for the parenting classes that are starting.  

 

IV.               PROGRAM UPDATES

 

 

A.                 School Readiness Grant

 

·        School Readiness Grant Award:  All spaces are full!

·        Report on CT Dept. of Ed. Liaison’s Meeting:the meeting was held in September, and the group will be distributing a kindergarten class readiness survey.

 

 

B.                 Discovery

 

·        Northwood Apartment Event –October 7, 2006 at 12N-4PM

·        Statewide Voters Survey of Attitudes on Early Care and Education, Audio Conference and some findings. CT Parent Power and Early Childhood Alliance Tools.

·        Stone Soup Conference on October 24, 2006

 

V.                 OLD BUSINESS

 

A.                 “Other”: none.

 

B.                 Next Meeting(s)- November 1, 2006, Wednesday.  (Please see new calendar in MAC Packet)

             

 

VI.               Adjournment: the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kevin Grunwald