STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-SEVENTH 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 4:38 pm on Tuesday, February 09, 2010, in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
House Members Present:
Slawik (Chair)
Rosenthal (Vice-Chair)
Bly
Buesgens
Downey
Greiling
Hamilton
Jackson
Laine
Mack
Mariani
Nornes
Peterson
Ward
A quorum was present.
Representative Jackson and Representative Rosenthal gave summaries of interim hearings and Representative Peterson gave an update of Early Childhood Caucus interim activities.
Representative Rosenthal moved that the minutes from April 14, 2009; October 28, 2009; January 7, 2010; and January 19, 2010 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Emily Adriaens, House Fiscal Analyst, gave a presentation on the fiscal status of the programs under the committee’s purview for fiscal years 2010 & 2011.
The committee watched the video Why Early Investment Matters by James Heckman, Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at The University of Chicago and a Nobel Memorial Prize winner in Economics. Video online at: http://www.heckmanequation.org/videos
Update from the Minnesota Department of Human Services on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA):
Cherie Kotilinek, Manager, Child Care Assistance Program, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Deb Swenson-Klatt, Manager, Early Childhood Development, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Ms. Kotilinek was asked a series of questions: How were ARRA funds that were designated for the basic sliding fee (BSF) pool allocated among the counties? What is the cost per child on ARRA funds designated for BSF? How will the Department build stability into the regular BSF allocation formula after ARRA funding is used? Does the Department have any recommended changes to the regular BSF allocation formula as a result of distributing funds to the counties based on BSF waiting lists?
Update from the Minnesota Head Start Association on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA):
Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director, National Head Start Association
Gayle Kelly, Executive Director, Minnesota Head Start Association
Kraig Gratke, Early Head Start Manager, Tri-County Community Action, Inc.
Mr. Gratke was asked two questions: Did the ARRA funds allow the opportunity to look at a redesign of how Tri-County Community Action, Inc. implements Head Start? What will happen at Tri-County Community Action, Inc. when the ARRA funds run out?
The meeting was adjourned at 6:03 pm.
Representative Nora Slawik, CHAIR
Matthew M. Collie
Committee Legislative Assistant