STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
EARLY CHILDHOOD FINANCE & POLICY DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Nora Slawik, Chair of the Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division, called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm on Thursday, January 07, 2010 in the boardroom of Oak Grove Middle School.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
House Members Present:
Slawik (Chair)
Rosenthal (Vice-Chair)
Bly
Downey
Greiling
Peterson
House Members Excused:
Buesgens
Hamilton
Jackson
Laine
Mack
Mariani
Nornes
Ward
A quorum was not present.
Representative Slawik had the committee members and guest legislators - Representative Lenczewski, Representative Slocum, Senator John Doll, Senator Kenneth Kelash, and Senator Geoff Michel – introduce themselves.
Dr. Cheryl Gunness, Edina Partners for Early Education (EPEE) discussed the collaborative structure of EPEE within the community. Dr. Gunness was then asked how she envisioned the EPEE evolving in the future.
Catherine Ziola, licensed home childcare provider, discussed her experiences providing childcare services in Edina.
Tom Holton, Executive Director of Community Education, Bloomington and Richfield Public Schools and member of Governor’s Advisory Council on Early Education and Care gave an overview of the early learning services provided by the Bloomington and Richfield Public Schools.
Kay Miller, Early Childhood Coordinator, Bloomington and Richfield Public Schools provided the committee information about the school district’s Kinderprep and MELF programs.
Natasha Sahadeo, Parent of child in Bloomington Kinderprep Preschool Program, testified to her positive experiences with the Kinderprep Preschool Program.
Pam Traylor, Chair of the Bloomington Early Education Advisory Council and program participant testified to the benefits children and families receive participating in Bloomington early learning programs.
Ms. Miller was then asked a series of questions: What is being done to coordinate between home providers and school district based providers? What can be done at the state level to promote coordination? How do you identify and find at-risk children? Is there longitudinal data tracking the children?
Dr. Richard Chase, Consulting Scientist, Wilder Foundation provided data on the wellbeing and vulnerabilities of our youngest children, including trends and indicators like the health of the mother and baby, the geography, income and race/ethnicity.
Sandy Vargas, President and CEO, Minneapolis Foundation testified on the Early Childhood Education Funders Coalition’s policy agenda to achieve learning readiness by 2020.
Kim Bartick, Director, Bloomington Family Child Care Association and President, Hennepin County Licensed Providers discussed the experiences Bloomington family child care providers have.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 pm.
Representative Nora Slawik, CHAIR
Matthew M. Collie
Committee Legislative Assistant