Regular Meeting of the
Missouri Head Start Association Council
April 10, 2008

Members Present

Others Present

Welcome and Introductions
Pam LaFrenz, MHSA President welcomed the group and opened the meeting with introductions.

Agenda
Ms. LaFrenz noted that there was a very small number of program staff in attendance at the meeting and a poll would be taken to revise the agenda for the day. The poll of the group resulted in an effort to conduct the business of the Council and postpone the program by Carrie Shapton, Policy & Outreach Coordinator, Partnership for Children to bring the update on the Missouri Coalition for School Readiness until the June meeting pending availability. Ms. Shapton was contacted and agreed to attend the June meeting with the information regarding the Coalition. A revised agenda was given consensus by those in attendance.

President’s Report: Pam LaFrenz, MVCAA

• Ms. LaFrenz reported to the group that she recently accepted the position of executive director of the MVCAA. Ms. LaFrenz announced that due to this change in positions that she will be stepping down as President to MHSA. She also shared that she will remain on the Council as the friend representative from MVCAA. Ms. LaFrenz introduced Cynthia Gabbert who will be replacing her as Head Start Director. The changes will be in effect late June.

• Ms. LaFrenz also announced that she has appointed Mernell King, CMCA to fill her unexpired term as a director representative on the Board.

Missouri Legislative Update: Cande Iveson, Policy Works, LLC (*)

• Ms. Iveson encouraged MHSA members to continue the good work toward advocating for issues that pertain to Missouri’s children and families. Ms. Iveson reported that there are five weeks left in session.

• Out of the 1,994 bills that have been introduced this session, 9 have passed to date.

• Diane Bauer of the OACAC program was commended for her recent testimony in Jefferson City regarding QRS.

Region VII Head Start Association Update: Donna Veatch, MHSA

• Ms. Veatch reported that the 2008 Conference was well underway with registration in full swing. Programs were encouraged to check on their registration status and sign up ASAP.

• Ms. Veatch will be representing Region VII as the friend representative to the National Head Start Board of Directors at the April NHSA Board meeting.

• Ms. Veatch also shared information about a new and exciting NHSA initiative: “Picturing America”. Funding for this effort has been made available through a grant to the National Head Start Association from the National Endowment for Humanities. (NEH) will enter into a partnership with NHSA and the Office of Head Start  focused on a new program of arts and humanities, entitled “Picturing America: American History through our Nation’s Art.”  This set of 40 renderings of America’s finest art includes images of famous paintings, photographs, and historical objects which show the breadth of the American experience. This partnership will ensure the artwork and related instructional materials will be provided to every Head Start program in the nation. A teacher’s guide on how to use the artwork in the classroom will also be available to programs as part of this initiative. Roll out of the artwork and resources will be late fall of 2008.

Regional Office Report: No formal report was available at this time.

• Ms. Veatch reminded programs to use the Early Childhood Knowledge Learning Center available through the Office of Head Start for questions and concerns regarding undetermined changes due to reauthorization language. The ECLKC website is: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc  The ECLKC toll free number is: 1-866-763-6481.

 
Region VII/TA Report: Linda Benoit, ICF

• Linda Benoit, ICF reported on recent staff hiring’s at the ICF office. Ms. Benoit reported that the changes would result in some reassignments of TA staff. Programs should not experience interruptions in TA support during the reassignment phase. Ms. Benoit introduced Julie Kamenetzky, new TA provider and point of contact to MHSA. The Council was also informed that a fiscal content specialist, Diane Heichel started Monday of this week. Programs are encouraged to call on Ms. Heichel with fiscal issues, etc.

• Ms. Benoit reported on the recent “I AM Moving, I AM Learning Training. The training was a huge success. Region VII will be naming a regional training team to travel to Virginia late in May to go through a training program. Applications have been sent out for the training team and selected individuals will be named in the near future. The team will consist of members from the Regional Office, TA Office and local grantees. Programs can access information about “I Am Moving, I AM Learning” via the web at: choosykids.com using the user name: Region 7 and password: HSR7.

• Ms. Benoit also reported on the MAP project which is a joint partnership with the Region VII Head Start Association, state associations and collaboration offices. The initiative is moving along with the trainer’s guide ready to share with the Office of Head Start.

• Ms. Benoit asked that any program that has encountered flood damage due to recent extreme weather conditions contact the regional office. There is the potential for some monetary support to programs that have been adversely affected by flood conditions. All programs are encouraged to review their current Emergency Disaster Plan.

Partner Reports
MHSSCO Report: Stacey Owsley, Director (*)

• Ms. Owsley introduced Council members to the new report format being used by MHSSCO. The report format is in alignment with work within the context of state needs and plans.

• Ms. Owsley shared information about the upcoming Oral Health Training/Meeting which will be held at the Center. Several local programs will share initiatives at that event.

• Ms. Owsley also reported on a new panel/committee established by the Coordinating Board for Early Childhood. The committee is referred to as the Pre-K Panel on School Readiness. The panel will be charged with work which involves looking at the existing Pre-K structure/landscape in MO. The panel is comprised of individuals across a wide spectrum of organizations which include; business leaders, legislators, school district personnel, childcare and community partners. The work is expected to be very intense with reviewing what research shows us about quality childcare, Ms. Veatch will be serving on the committee representing childcare. The first meeting of the panel is planned for May 30th with an evening reception on May 29th. The Coordinating Board has contracted a national facilitator to work with the group through the various meetings and tasks that will be completed over the course of the Pre-K Panel work.

• Mental Health Summit will be held in mid-June. Consultation screening instruments/tools will be shared as well as PBS and other resources.  

DSS Office of Early Childhood: Holly Otto

• Ms. Otto sent regrets that due to a scheduling conflict, no report would be given.

At this time in the agenda Ms. LaFrenz asked the group if they wanted to proceed with the meeting or break for lunch. It was the consensus of the group to continue the meeting with adjournment expected early afternoon.

Executive Services Report: Donna Veatch reporting (*).

• The sixth annual Parent Leadership Training was recently conducted with over 35 parents in attendance. As a result of that training effort, grandparental custody was identified as a potential advocacy effort for the MHSA legislative/advocacy committee.

• Director’s networking calls continue each month. Directors are encouraged to submit topic content to the association office.

• Ms. Veatch reported on upcoming MHSA events and the CFP process that is now being used to recruit trainers/facilitators for all training events.

Minutes
Ms. LaFrenz, MHSA President called for corrections and/or additions to the minutes. Hearing none, the minutes stand approved as presented.

Financial Report
Motion to accept the financial report as presented by Mernell King, CMCA. Motion carried. Programs were asked to review the accounts receivable report to ensure that they were in good standing with MHSA.

New Business:
It was reported that the Board authorized Ms. Veatch to begin plans for the 2008 Early Childhood Summit. Ms. Veatch will meet with Mike Abel, AEYC-MO President to discuss year two of a partnership on this statewide training effort. Information as well as a Save the Date for the late fall event will be shared at the June Council meeting.

Committee Reports
No formal committee reports were heard. Ms. LaFrenz encouraged members to visit the website and review the committee schedule as well as role of the committee. Committee work is primarily conducted via GoToMeetings.

Silent Auction winners announced.

Meeting Adjourned: 1:20 PM

Minutes respectfully submitted by Donna Veatch in the absence of Kathy Nicholson, MHSA Secretary.

*Report(s) on file